The Sri Lankan cricket team beat Afghanistan in the first match of the super 4 stage in Asian cup cricket in UAE.
It was a record run chase in a t20i Asia cup match in Sharjah International Cricket Stadium and the highest chase and win against Afghanistan by any team. Afghanistan has never lost a match after scoring 170+ batting first.
Chasing a target of 176, Sri Lanka held their nerves to beat Afghanistan by four wickets in the Asia Cup Super 4 clash in Sharjah. Openers Pathum Nissanka (35) and Kusal Mendis (36) gave Sri Lanka a flying start, adding 62 runs for the first wicket.
However, Afghanistan spinner took control of the proceedings with Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi taking a total of three wickets between them. However, Danushka Gunathilaka (33) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s (31) power-hitting swung the match back in Sri Lanka’s favour. Earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a counter-attacking 84 while Ibrahim Zadran also played a knock of 40 as Afghanistan went on to post a total of 175 for six in 20 overs against Sri Lanka.
Rahmanullah and Ibrahim had added 93 runs for the second wicket, after the Hazratullah Zazai was dismissed for cheap. For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka took two for 37 while Maheesh Theekshana and Asitha Fernando bagged a wicket each. (NDTV)
