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'Tournament ka pehla achaa game' - Fans react as Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 2 runs in Asia Cup 2023

Sri Lanka knocked Afghanistan out of Asia Cup 2023 with their 2-run in the final group stage game. Here's how fans reacted.

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Daniel S
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Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan

Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan (Source: Twitter)

The action returned in the Asia Cup 2023 with the final group stage fixture in Group B between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. The home team won the toss and elected to bat first. They took advantage of the home conditions and posted a massive 291/8 in 50 overs. Openers Pathum Nissanka (41 off 40) and Dimuth Karunaratne (32 off 35) added 63 runs for the opening stand.

Kusal Mendis with 92 off 84 remained the top scorer for the host. His crucial knock featured six fours and three sixes. Charith Asalanka (36 off 43), Dunith Wellalage (33 off 39) and Maheesh Theekshana (28 off 24) made considerable contributions to boost Sri Lanka over the 290-run mark. Talking of the bowling from Afghanistan, Gulbadin Naib remained the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/60 in ten overs. Rashid Khan picked up 2/63 in ten overs. At the same time, Mujeeb Ur Rahman returned with one wicket.

Sri Lanka knocked Afghanistan out of the tournament

In response, Afghanistan made a shaky start losing both their openers cheaply. While Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 4 off 8, Ibrahim Zadran scored 7 off 14. However, the middle order steadied the ship for the Afghans. Gulbadin Naib played well, but could only amass 22 of 16. Rahmat Shah scored 45 off 40, including five fours and a six. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi added 59 off 66, featuring three fours and one towering six. Mohammed Nabi remained their real star performer with a knock of 65 off 32, including six fours and five sixes.

Ultimately, Karim Janat (22 off 13), Najibullah Zadran (23 off 15), and Rashid Khan (27 off 16) led the final charge for Afghanistan. But they fell three runs short of the target handing the hosts a win by a mere two runs. Talking of the bowling from Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha scalped four wickets for 79 runs in 10 overs and remained the pick of the bowlers. Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya de Silva scalped two wickets each. At the same time, Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana returned with one wicket each. With the win, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be progressing to the Super Four stages bringing curtains to Afghanistan’s campaign.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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