Sri Lanka managed to win by 2 runs in the match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan held yesterday (05) at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, to decide who will be the last team selected for the Super 4s of the Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka, which won the toss and chose to bat first, scored 291 runs for 8 at the end of 50 overs. Kusal Mendis, who played a precious innings, unfortunately got out for 92 runs at the visible end of his century. He was assisted by Charith Asalanka, and they got together and put up a partnership of 102 runs for the fourth wicket, scoring 36 runs.
Apart from that, Pathum scored 41 runs, and Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana, who were steady in the field in the last half of the match, put up a partnership of 64 runs for the 8th wicket.
In bowling, Gulbadin Naib took 4 for 60.
The Afghans, who entered the field for the reply innings, needed to get the relevant target in 37.1 overs to qualify for the Super 4s. But the Afghans were able to score only 289 runs after 37.4 overs.
Mohammad Nabi’s express innings of a 32-ball 65 tried hard to lead Afghanistan to victory.
Apart from him, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 59 runs and Rahmat Shah scored 45 runs each.
By bowling, Kasun Rajitha took 4 for 79.
Kusal Mendis was the man of the match.
Sri Lanka won the 12th ODI in a row, and it was also the 12th time in a row that all opposing team players were dismissed.
Rasitha Jayaweera
