Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by four wickets in the first game of the Super-4 stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday (September 3).
Asked to bat first, Afghanistan posted 175/6 in their allotted 20 overs on the back of opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 45-ball 84. Ibrahim Zadran also made a notable contribution of 38-ball 40.
Dilshan Madushanka (2-37) took a couple of wickets for Sri Lanka while Maheesh Theekshana (1-29) and Asitha Fernando (1-34) returned with one scalp each.
In reply, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start as the opening duo of Pathum Nissanka (35 off 28 balls) and Kusal Mendis (36 off 19 balls) put on 62 runs in double quick time.
However, once the openers were dismissed, Sri Lanka’s innings tumbled a bit with Charith Asalanka (8) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (10) getting out cheaply.
Amid the pressure situation, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (31 off 14 balls) and Danushka Gunathilaka (33 off 20 balls) produced stunning cameos to keep Sri Lanka in the hunt.
While Rajapaksa got out on the brink of victory, Wanindu Hasaranga’s unbeaten 16 off 9 balls ensured that the Island Nation get over the finishing line with five deliveries to spare.
For his dazzling cameo in the run chase, Bhanuka Rajapaksa received rich praise from the cricket fraternity on Twitter.
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