In the Asia Cup‘s opening match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, Afghanistan defeated Srilanka by 8 wickets at the Dubai International Stadium,UAE on Saturday. Over the previous four years, both teams have struggled with stability and frequent captaincy changes. However, Afghanistan’s players may have more experience playing in the UAE than the hosts, Sri Lanka. The match between yesteryear Asian giant Srilanka trying to regain their stature and a team that was an underdog but has grown remarkably quick over the last decade, Afghanistan, is an intriguing proposition but ended as being speculated. Let’s have a look at both the innings:
Srilankan Batting Debacle
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl. Srilanka didn’t have a dreamy start. Losing their openers in the first two overs. Then the rot just set in, and Srilankan middle order collapsed with Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka going away, scoring single-digit scores. Danushka Gunathilaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa set a budding partnership when Mujeeb ur Rahman put this union to death, dismissing Gunathilaka for 17 runs.
Wickets kept falling for Srilanka, with only Rajapaksa speaking the loudest with his willow, making 38 runs. Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up three wickets, with spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman and skipper Mohammad Nabi picking two each. However, Chamika Karunaratne contributed 31 off 38 balls in the end. Srilanka were bundled out for 105/10 in 19.4 overs.
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Srilanka vs Afghanistan: Afghanistan’s power-packed run chase
With 106 needed in 120 deliveries, Afghanistan batters absolutely mutilated Srilankan bowlers, making no room for error. Afghanistan made their highest-ever score in the power play scoring 83 runs. Openers Hazratullah made a significant contribution of 37* in 28 balls, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a majestic inning of 40 runs in just 18 deliveries. Hazratullah Zazai supported Hazratullah, in the end, to help Afghanistan win the match by eight wickets with 59 balls remaining.
