AFG vs SL Afghanistan cruised past Sri Lanka to begin their Asia Cup campaign with an 8-wicket victory. It should be noted that they won with 59 balls to spare. Which is bound to have a significant impact on their Net Run Rate (NRR). It all started when Afghanistan openers Rahamanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai got them off to a flying start, scoring 83 runs in the first six overs.
Hasaranga was also among the runs before he provided Sri Lanka with a breakthrough. But it was too late for a comeback because their bowlers, particularly strike spinners like Theekshana and Hasaranga. Were unable to contain the runs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi’s early bowling ensured that Sri Lanka scored a paltry 105 in their Asia Cup opener in Dubai. They got off to a terrible start, being reduced to 5/3 by. Farooqi and his new ball partner Naveen Ul Haq. Then came the spinners’ onslaught, with Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman both taking two wickets. Poor running between the wickets also cost Lanka a couple of wickets before Karunaratne rescued them with a ferocious 31.
After losing the toss, Sri Lanka will have to bat first in their Asia Cup opener against Afghanistan. Nissanka and Gunathilaka will have to work hard on a pitch that will seam and swing around. Not to mention the spin troika of Mujeeb, Rashid, and Mohammed Nabi. Who can pose some challenges to the Sri Lankan middle order.
will now begin the campaign against Afghanistan, as well as the Asia Cup group stage. The high-intensity clash is expected to set the tone for this year’s multi-nation tournament.
Quick bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi returned bowling figures of 3-11 to assist Afghanistan with whipping Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the initial match of the Asia Cup Twenty20 competition on Saturday.
AFG vs SL Afghanistan chose for field and packaged out Sri Lanka for a pitiful 105. A complete their batsmen updated in 10.1 overs in Dubai. Left-hander Hazratullah Zazai, unbeaten on 37, and wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanllah Gurbaz, who hit 40, put on 83 runs for the initial wicket to expand on the predominance began by the bowlers.
Afghanistan, in Group B with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, have made a pounding start to their mission in the six-country competition that goes about as a check up to the T20 World Cup in. October-November in Australia.
Farooqi, a left-arm fast, stood apart for Afghanistan after he hit with progressive conveyances in the first over of the innings to send. Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka walking back to the structure for two and nothing.
Naveen-ul-Haq then sent back Pathum Nissanka got behind after the batsman explored the on-field call and the third-umpire maintained. The choice in spite of no apparent spike on the ultra-edge, leaving the batsman and changing area staggered.
By then Sri Lanka were battling with only five sudden spikes in demand for the board and three wickets down in the initial two overs.
Danushka Gunathilaka (17) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (38) endeavored to hit back with a whirlwind of limits in a 20-run 6th over before spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman broke the 44-run stand.
Wickets continued tumbling with the thirteenth over giving two runouts, including the finish of Rajapaksa while endeavoring a subsequent run.
Chamika Karunaratne made 31 to take the group absolute beyond 100 preceding being bowled by Farooqi.
Afghanistan openers came out all firearms blasting as Gurbaz crushed three fours and four sixes in his 18-ball barrage prior to tumbling to leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.
Zazai kept up the assault with Ibrahim Zadran, who made 15 preceding being run out, to bring alive the Afghan allies and quiet the Sri Lankan swarm.
India meet Pakistan in a long awaited Group A conflict on Sunday at a similar setting.
More news: Liverpool equals their scoring record with a 9-0 victory over Bournemouth
