In the sixth match of the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 2 runs in a sensational contest.
Afghanistan’s team, after scoring 289 runs in 37.4 overs, fell short by just 2 runs in their pursuit of Sri Lanka’s 291-run target. With this loss, Afghanistan joins Nepal in being eliminated from the Asia Cup, while Sri Lanka has advanced to the Super Four stage.
Sri Lanka needed to achieve a target of 292 runs in 37.1 overs to qualify for the Super Four stage. Despite losing wickets, Afghanistan played aggressively. Afghanistan’s initial three wickets fell for just 50 runs. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (4) and Ibrahim Zadran (7) were dismissed, and Gulbadin Naib scored 22, only to be caught behind the wicket with an LBW decision.
After losing three wickets quickly, Afghanistan seemed to be heading for defeat in the match. However, Rahmat Shah (45), Hashmatullah Shahidi (59), and Mohammad Nabi (65) scored crucial runs to bring the team back into the game. Karim Janat (22) and Najibullah Zadran (23) were dismissed, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi were both out for zero. Rashid Khan remained not out with 27 runs.
From Sri Lanka’s side, Kasun Rajitha took 4 wickets, while Dushmantha Chameera and Dhananjaya de Silva took 2 wickets each. Mahesh and Mathisha each got a player out.
In the match played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Sri Lanka, batting first, scored 291 runs at the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs. Kusal Mendis scored 92, Pathum Nissanka made 41, Charith Asalanka scored 36, and Dhananjaya de Silva contributed 32 runs.
From Afghanistan’s side, Gulbadin Naib took 4 wickets, Rashid Khan took 2, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 1 wicket.”
Please note that this translation is based on the information provided and may not be an exact match to the original text.