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PremiumAfghanistan vs Sri Lanka | AFG vs SL Highlights, World Cup 2023: Chasing a target of 242 runs, Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Hashmatullah Shahidi led Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets with 28 balls remaining in the ICC Men's World Cup match in Pune on 30 October.
Batting second, Afghanistan lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz for DUCK in the very first over and then lost Ibrahim Zadran (39), but Rahmat Shah (62), skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (58*) and Azmatullah Omarzai (73*) played a knock to remember. This led their team to defeat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets.
For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka took two wickets and Kasun Rajitha picked one wicket.
Sri Lankans scored a below-par 241 all out against Afghanistan in their World Cup match and lost all their wickets at 242.
Invited to bat, opener Pathum Nissanka (46), Kusal Mendis (39), and Sadeera Samarawickrama (36) all got starts but failed to capitalize as Afghan bowlers managed to take wickets regularly.
Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/34) snapped four wickets to emerge as the most successful bowler for Afghanistan. It was a collective effort as Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/38), Azmatullah Omarzai (1/37) Rashid Khan (1/50) all were among important wickets.
However, Maheesh Theekshana (29) and Angelo Mathews (23) added a valuable 45 off 42 balls for the eighth wicket to provide them the late momentum.
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka's impressive run of successive World Cup fifties came to an end when he was out for 46 against Afghanistan in Pune on Monday.
Nissanka was in sight of his fifth half-century in six matches this tournament when he was caught behind trying to cut Afghanistan paceman Azmatullah Omarzai to end a 60-ball innings including five fours.
His exit left Sri Lanka 84-2 in the 19th over after they had lost the toss.
The 25-year-old Nissanka started the tournament with a duck against South Africa before reeling off scores of 51 (against Pakistan), 61 (Australia), 54 (Netherlands) and 77 not out (England).
Both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have slim chances of reaching the semi-finals of the tournament with just 4 points each from their 5 matches. However, Sri Lanka are currently 5th on the points table thanks to a better run rate, while Afghanistan are just below them in 6th place.
Afghanistan's confidence will be sky high after their thumping victory over neighbours Pakistan. Afghanistan's spinners, who have been at the heart of the team's success, were in fine form again in their last game, but in a shock result, the Aghan batsmen chased down the 283-run target with 8 wickets to spare.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankans will also be brimming with confidence after an emphatic victory over the reigning world champions in their last match. The Lankan bowling attack, which has been guilty of giving away too many runs in previous encounters, managed to keep the English batsmen at bay in the previous game, thanks largely to an exceptional bowling performance from pacer Lahiru Kumara.
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan World Cup squad:
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne.
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w/k), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (w/k), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman and Naveen ul Haq.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan: Head-to-head records
These two teams have played 11 ODIs against each other so far. Sri Lanka has won 7 of those and Afghanistan 3. One match did not produce any results. The last time these two met was in September 2023, when Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 2 runs.
These two have faced off twice in World Cups, with Sri Lanka winning both matches. In 2019, Sri Lanka won by 34 runs (DLS). Before that, in 2015, Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets. Not to forget that both these teams have evolved a lot over the last few years.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan: Highlights
Sri Lanka Batting:
Karunaratne walked back with the score reading 22 for 1.
Pacer Azmat Omarzai got the prized wicket of Nissanka.
With Afghanistan spinners being pressed into service from both ends, Samarawickrama, who came in at the fall of Nissanka, and Mendis were kept under a tight leash.
Mendis tried a big shot, but he was caught at deep midwicket by Najibullah Zadran off Mujeeb for 39.
Mujeeb struck again to get rid of the dangerous Samarawickrama for 36 off the first ball of the 30th over to reduce the Islanders to 139 for 4.
The century-maker against Pakistan, Samarawickrama, who has had a brilliant World Cup so far, was flummoxed by a Mujeeb googly which drifted in sharply and trapped him plumb in front.
Wickets kept falling at regular intervals with Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dushmantha Chameera all failing to play an innings of substance as the Lankan innings folded rapidly.
Afghanistan Batting:
Chasing a target of 242 runs, Afghanistan lost their opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the fourth delivery of the first over.
Afghanistan completed111-run 50 runs in 9.6 overs (60 balls)
2nd Wicket partnership of 50 runs between Ibrahim Zadran (28) and Rahmat Shah (20) comes up in 56 balls.
Madushanka the brought back into attack by Kusal Mendis and delivers, as he departs Ibrahim in the fifth delivery of 17th over.
Rahmat Shah completes his 25th half-century in 61 balls.
Kasun Rajitha continues his attack and departs Rahmat Shah (62) on the last delivery of the 28th over.
Afghanistan completed 150 runs in 32.1 overs (193 balls).
Afghanistan and 200 runs in 39.5 overs (239 balls)
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi completes his 18th half-century off 67 balls.
Azmatullah Omarzai completes third ODI half-century off off 50 balls.
Afghanistan's batter Hashmatullah Shahidi completes 2000 runs in ODI.
Omarzai, Shahidi built an 111-runs partnership partnership, and helped Afghanistan win by 7 wickets against Sri Lanka. The 100-runs partnership arrived in 93 balls.
Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi became the ‘Player of the Match’ for picking up four wickets.
Here's the final scorecard:
Sri Lanka Batting:
Pathum Nissanka (46)
Kusal Mendis (39)
Sadeera Samarawickrama (36)
Maheesh Theekshana (29)
Angelo Mathews (23)
Charith Asalanka (22)
AFG Bowling:
Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/34(10)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/38(10)
Azmatullah Omarzai 1/37(7)
Rashid Khan 1/50(10)
AFG Batting:
Azmatullah Omarzai (73*)
Rahmat Shah (62)
Hashmatullah Shahidi (58*)
Ibrahim Zadran (39)
Sri Lanka Bowling:
Dilshan Madushanka 2/48(9)
Kasun Rajitha 1/48(10)
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: With just 2 runs remaining for Afghanistan to win, Dushmantha Chameera was brought back into attack by Mendis. Omarzai-Shahidi lead AFG beat SL by 7 wickets with 28 balls remaining.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: With Afghanistan needed just 10 runs, Sri Lankan skipper brought Kasun Rajitha into attack. Azmatullah Omarzai want to finish things off fast and smashes a FOUR on the 4th delivery. Afghanistan scored 240/3 runs in 45 overs and need 2 runs in 30 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dushmantha Chameera brought back into attack by Mendis and welcomed with a FOUR by Azmatullah Omarzai. Just a ball later, he choses to slam the ball and it races to the boundary for FOUR again. Afghanistan scored 232/3 runs in 44 overs and need 10 runs in 36 balls to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Kasun Rajitha continues his spell. Azmatullah Omarzai completes third ODI half-century and just after this, he send the ball to boundary, racing away for FOUR. Afghanistan scored 223/3 runs in 19 overs and need 42 runs in 44 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Madushanka continues his attack and bowls his 9th over. Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi completes his 18th half-century and then he send the last ball to boundary. Afghanistan scored 214/3 runs in 42 overs and need 28 runs from 48 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Maheesh Theekshana continues his attack and delivers his final over. Azmatullah Omarzai decides to send the ball to boundary and it races away for FOUR. Afghanistan scored 207/3 runs in 41 overs and need 35 runs from 9 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Madushanka continues his attack. This time, Azmatullah Omarzai decides to send the ball to boundary and it races away for FOUR. With his, Afghanistan crosses the 200-runs mark and scored 201/3 runs in 40 overs and need 41 runs from 10 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Maheesh Theekshana continues into attack. Afghanistan scored 193/3 runs in 39 overs and need 49 runs from 11 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Madushanka brought back to continue his attack. Azmatullah Omarzai hits a HUGE SIX on the last ball of the over. Afghanistan scored 189/3 runs in 38 overs and need 53 runs from 12 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Maheesh Theekshana continues into attack. Afghanistan scored 178/2 runs in 37 overs and need 64 runs from 13 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dushmantha Chameera brought back into attack by Mendis. And welcomed with a SIX by Azmatullah Omarzai on the very first ball. Afghanistan scored 174/3 runs in 36 overs and need 68 runs from 14 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Maheesh Theekshana brought back continues into attack. Omarzai decided to break free and hit a SIX on the 3rd delivery. Afghanistan scored 166/2 runs in 35 overs and need 76 runs from 15 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dushmantha Chameera brought back into attack by Mendis. Afghanistan scored 157/3 runs in 34 overs and need 86 runs from 16 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dhananjaya de Silva continues his spell. 150-up for Afghanistan, as they scored 153/3 runs in 33 overs and need 89 runs in 187
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Kasun Rajitha continues his spell. Afghanistan scored 149/3 runs in 32 overs and need 93 runs in 18 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dhananjaya de Silva continues his spell. Afghanistan scored 143/3 runs in 31 overs and need 99 runs in 19 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Kasun Rajitha continues his attack after dismissing Rahmat Shah in his previous over. Afghanistan scored 139/3 runs in 30 overs and need 103 runs in 20 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dhananjaya de Silva continues his spell. Hashmatullah Shahidi hits a FOUR on the third delivery. Afghanistan scored 138/3 runs in 29 overs and need 104 runs in 21 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Kasun Rajitha continues his attack and departs Rahmat Shah on the last delivery of the over. Afghanistan scored 131/3 runs in 28 overs and need 111 runs in 22 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Looking for wickets, Mendis hands over the ball to Dhananjaya de Silva. But Rahmat is in no mood to let settle the new bowler and hits a FOUR on the very first delivery. Afghanistan scored 126/2 runs in 27 overs and need 116 runs in 23 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Kasun Rajitha brought back into attack by Mendis, as he is looking for wickets. Afghanistan scored 120/2 runs in 26 overs and need 122 runs in 24 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dushmantha Chameera continues bowling attack by Mendis. Rahmat Shah completes 25th half-century and then hits a FOUR on the fourth delivery. Afghanistan scored 119/2 runs in 25 overs and need 123 runs from 25 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Maheesh Theekshana continues his attack. Now, Rahmat send the first ball to boundary, spanking through the covers. Afghanistan scored 112/2 runs in 24 overs and need 130 runs from 26 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dushmantha Chameera continues bowling attack by Mendis. Afghanistan scored 105/2 runs in 23 overs and need 137 runs from 27 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Mendis hands over the ball to Maheesh Theekshana in the 22nd over. Afghanistan completes 100-runs mark on the 5th ball of the over. Afghanistan scored 101/2 runs in 22 overs and need 141 runs from 28 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dushmantha Chameera brought back into bowling attack by Mendis. Enough of keeping the bat silent, Shahidi bangs the ball for a huge SIX on the third ball of the over. Afghanistan scored 95/2 runs in 21 overs and need 147 runs from 29 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Angelo Mathews continues with his spell. Afghanistan scored 87/2 runs in 20 overs and need 155 runs from 30 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Madushanka continues his attack after departing Ibrahim in the fifth delivery of his previous over. Afghanistan scored 83/2 runs in 19 overs and need 159 runs from 31 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Angelo Mathews brought back into attack by Kusal Mendis. Afghanistan scored 79/2 runs in 18 overs and need 163 runs from 32 overs to win.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Madushanka is brought back into attack by Kusal Mendis and delivers, as he departs Ibrahim in the fifth delivery of the 17th over. Hashmatullah Shahidi is the new batter. Afghanistan scored 74/2 runs in 17 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Looking for wickets, Mendis hands over the ball to Maheesh Theekshana in the 16th over. Just three runs from this over. Afghanistan scored 70/1 runs in 16 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Madushanka brought back into attack by Kusal Mendis. Three runs come from this over. Afghanistan scored 67/1 runs in 15 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Maheesh Theekshana delivers the 14th over. Just four runs from this over. Afghanistan scored 64/1 runs in 14 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dushmantha Chameera continues his bowling attack. Just four runs from this over. Afghanistan scored 60/1 runs in 13 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Maheesh Theekshana continues his spell. Gives away 5 runs. Afghanistan scored 56/1 runs in 12 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dushmantha Chameera continues his spell. Just one run from this over. Afghanistan scored 51/1 runs in 11 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Maheesh Theekshana was introduced as a new bowler by Mendis. Ibrahim Zadran places the ball well and it races for the boundary. With this 50-up for Afghanistan, they scored 50/1 runs in 10 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Dushmantha Chameera was introduced as a new bowler by Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis. Same result as the previous over and Ibrahim Zadran uses his wrists, times the ball, and sends it for a boundary. Afghanistan scored 44/1 runs in 9 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Kasun Rajitha continues his spell. Rahmat looks UNSTOPPABLE and decides to hit the ball for a boundary on the 5th delivery of the over. Afghanistan scored 40/1 runs in 8 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Sri Lankan skipper introduces new bowler Angelo Mathews to slow down the run rate. But Rahmat has some other plans and times the first ball between cover and short extra. The ball races for boundary. On the 5th ball, Ibrahim Zadran decided to hit and send the ball to the boundary. Afghanistan scored 36/1 runs in 7 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Kasun Rajitha continues his spell. This time Ibrahim Zadran decides to go big and hits a SIX, well over fine leg, in the last ball of the over. Afghanistan scored 27/1 runs in 6 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Madushanka continues his attack. Rahmat again chooses a cover drive in the last ball of the over and the ball races away for 4. Afghanistan scored 20/1 runs in 5 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Kasun Rajitha as continues his second over. However, Rahmat keeps the runs flowing as he hits a boundary on the third delivery. Afghanistan scored 14/1 runs in 4 overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: After dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the previous over, Madushanka continues his attack. Ibrahim Zadran smashes away the ball to the boundary ion the last delivery. Afghanistan scored 9/1 runs in three overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Sri Lanka introduces Kasun Rajitha as the new bowler after Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed in the first over by Madushanka. Afghanistan scored 5/1 runs in two overs.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Chasing a target of 242 runs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran open for Afghanistan. While Dilshan Madushanka bowled the first over and departs Gurbaz for duck in the fourth delivery. Rahmat Shah is the new batter. Afghanistan score 2/1 runs in first over.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: : Fittingly, it is a direct-hit that ends what has to arguably be the most sedate innings of this World Cup. Rajitha Run Out by Gurbaz.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Wicket No.4 for Fazalhaq Farooqi. Mathews tries to go over the bowler's head but doesn't quite get all of it. Nabi takes the catch while being just millimetres away from the boundary. Second best figures for an Afghan bowler.
Dilshan Madushanka0(3)
Kasun Rajitha4(5)
Fazalhaq Farooqi 10-1-34-4
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Live: Angelo Mathews hits a boundary down the ground.
Angelo Mathews23(25)
Kasun Rajitha3(3)
Naveen-ul-Haq 6-0-45-0
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