World Cup; Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets to pull off another upset.

World Cup; Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets to pull off another upset.
…. Asghar Ali Mubarak ….

In the 30th match of the World Cup, Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets and caused another upset. With this victory, the Afghanistan team reached the fifth position on the points table. Afghanistan achieved the target of 242 runs given by Sri Lanka in the 46th over. It should be noted that this is Afghanistan’s third consecutive victory in the event and all three times they defeated the previous world champion teams.

Chasing the target, Rahmanullah Garbaz returned to the pavilion at zero, and was dismissed by Dilshan Madhushanka. After that, the Afghan batsmen showed responsibility and made the Sri Lankan batsmen look helpless.

A partnership of 78 runs was made between Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah on the second wicket, then a partnership of 58 runs was made between Rahmad Shahid and captain Heshmatullah Shahidi on the third wicket. Ibrahim Zadran returned to the pavilion after scoring 39 runs, he was also dismissed by Madhushanka,

while Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 62 runs and was caught out by Kasan Rajitha. However, an unbeaten partnership of 111 runs between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Umarzai on the fourth wicket gave Afghanistan their third victory in the event. Earlier, the Sri Lankan team was bowled out for 241 runs due to the brilliant performance of the Afghanistan bowlers.

In the match being played at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium located in the Indian city of Pune, Afghanistan team captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and invited Sri Lankan captain Kaushal Mendis to bat first. The Sri Lankan openers provided an opening of 22 runs in 5 overs and Dimath Karunaratne scored 15 runs off 21 balls and was dismissed by Fazal Haq Farooqui.

Pathum Nisanka and captain Kosal Mendis tried to extend the partnership for the second wicket but Azmatullah Umarzai failed to do so and took Nisanka’s wicket at a score of 84. Sri Lanka’s second wicket fell on the first ball of the 19th over when Nissanka, who scored 46 runs, was dismissed.

The captain and Sudira Samaravikrama completed the team’s century and in partnership took the team score to 134, but they were dismissed by Afghanistan’s young spinner Mujibur Rahman. Kosal Mendes’ innings consisted of 39 runs off 50 balls, which included only 3 fours although Mendes is known for his aggressive batting.

Sudira Samaravikrama also could not bear the parting of the captain and his innings of 36 runs for 139 runs was ended by Mujeebur Rahman, after which the Sri Lankan team came under severe pressure after losing 4 important wickets.
Dhananjaya de Silva also added only 14 runs and got out on the first ball of the 30th over, the team’s score was 167.
Fazal Haq Farooqui took Afghanistan’s sixth wicket in the 39th over and this time all-rounder Charith Asalinka’s 22-run innings ended.
Sri Lanka’s experienced player and former captain Angelo Mathews resisted for a while by scoring 23 runs off 26 balls with the help of a four and a six. The score was 185. Mahesh Thekshana supported Mathews well and scored 29 runs off 31 balls with the help of 3 fours and a six.
Sri Lanka had scored 239 runs when Mathews got out on the third ball of the 49th over by Fazal Haq Farooqui.
Kusan Rajitha was the last Sri Lankan batsman out, being run out for 241 on the third ball of the last over after adding 5 runs. The entire Sri Lankan team was bowled out for 241 runs on the third ball of the last over.

On behalf of Afghanistan, fast bowler Fazal Haq Farooqui took the most 4 wickets, Mujeebur Rahman took 2 wickets, Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan took one wicket each.

Both the teams for the match consisted of these players.

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rehmanullah Garbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rehmat Shah, Muhammad Nabi, Ikram Ali Khel, Azmatullah Umarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeebur Rehman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazl Haq Farooqui.

Sri Lanka: Kaushal Mendis (capt), Patham Nishanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sudira Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Mahesh Thikeshana, Kisun Rajitha, Dilshan Madhushanka, Dushmantha Chamera.