Sri Lanka Beat Afghanistan By 4 Wickets In Asia Cup 2022 Super 4 Match

Cricket Image for Sri Lanka Beat Afghanistan By 4 Wickets In Asia Cup 2022 Super 4 Match (Image Source: Twitter)

SL vs AFG: Sri Lankan batters displayed excellent batting and defeated Afghanistan by 4 wickets, winning their first match of the Super 4 stage in Asia Cup 2022. Earlier in the first match of the tournament, Sri Lanka were thrashed by 8 wickets against the same opponent. 

Chasing a modest target of 176, Sri Lanka got off to a perfect start as the openers added 62 runs in 6.2 overs. While the Lankans avoided fall of any wicket in the powerplay, they also scored at a run rate of around 10. Kusal Mendis was dismissed after scoring 36 runs in 19 balls with 2 fours & 3 sixes. 

Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka was next to be dismissed in the 9th over after scoring 35 runs in 28 balls. Charith Asalanka (8) & captain Dasun Shanaka (10) were dismissed cheaply but Danushka Gunathilaka (33 runs off 20 balls) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (31 runs off 13 balls) took Sri Lanka close to the winning line.

 Wanindu Hasaranga, coming out to bat at #7 in the 17th over, smacked three boundaries in his unbeaten 9-ball stay to take Sri Lanka to victory with 5 deliveries remaining. For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Neveen-ul-Haq picked up 2 wickets each while Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi managed 1 wicket each. 

In the first innings, Rahmanullah Gurbaz smacked an excellent half-century as Afghanistan posted 175/6 against Sri Lanka in the 1st match of the Super 4 stage of Asia Cup 2022.

Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz smacked 84 runs off 45 balls, smashing 4 fours & 6 sixes. While the wicket-keeper batter was at the crease, Afghanistan were easily cruising to a 190+ total. Ibrahim Zadran also scored 40 runs and etched a substantial partnership of 93 runs in 64 balls for the second wicket.

However, Lankan bowlers pulled back impressively in the death overs once Gurbaz was dismissed in the 16th over. Asitha Fernando provided the big wicket and Sri Lanka were able to stop Afghanistan to a lower total than expected. Dilshan Madushanka picked up 2 wickets while Maheesh Theekshana and Fernando managed 1 wicket each.

Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss & opted to bowl first against Afghanistan in the 1st match of the Super 4 stage of Asia Cup 2022. This match is being played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. 

Brief Score:

• Afghanistan - 175/6 (Gurbaz - 84(45), Madushanka - 2/37)
• Sri Lanka - 179/6 in 19.1 overs (Mendis - 36(19), Mujeeb - 2/30)