Afghanistan suffered their first loss in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 as Sri Lanka defeated them in a thrilling encounter by 4 wickets in Sharjah on September 3rd. This was the first match of the Super 4s stage of the ongoing continental tournament.
Mohammad Nabi-led Afghanistan batted first after Dasun Shanaka won the toss. Thanks to 84 from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and 40 from Ibrahim Zadran, the Afghan side posted 175/6 in 20 overs. For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka picked two wickets.
Though there wasn’t a half-century from Sri Lankan batters in the chase, everyone contributed as Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa all made scores in 30s. Mendis made 36 in 19 balls, while Rajapaksa slammed 31 in 14 balls to bring Sri Lanka into the game.
Sri Lanka won in the final over with 4 wickets in hand.
Asia Cup 2022: 'We were about 20-25 runs short'- Mohammad Nabi after Afghanistan's loss to Sri Lanka
However, during the tense encounter, the fans got to see some mid-pitch altercation as Rashid Khan got into a war of words with Gunathilaka, as Rajapaksa tried to play mediator. In the 17th over of the innings, Sri Lanka's score was 145/4, with Gunathilaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa on the crease.
Rashid came to bowl the over and got hit for a four on the very first ball. Then cameras panned toward the players and Rashid and Gunathilaka were seen in an angry conversation and getting into an argument. Rajapaksa had to intervene and the situation was brought under control.
It was an off night for Rashid Khan as he went for 39 runs in his 4 overs and picked one wicket, interestingly that of Gunathilaka, and also showed him the way to the dugout.
Check the video here:
