Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan after a thrilling clash by two runs to qualify for the Super 4 of the ongoing Asia Cup on Tuesday in Lahore.
Afghanistan were dismissed for 289 runs in 37.4 overs while chasing a target of 291 runs.
Afghanistan needed to chase down the target in 37.1 overs or less in order to qualify, which they couldn’t achieve.
Earlier, Sri Lanka set a target of 292 runs after winning the toss and deciding to bat first against Afghanistan in the crucial Group B clash.
Sri Lanka finished on 291-8 in 50 overs.
Kusal Mendis was the top run-scorer for Sri Lanka with 92 runs in 84 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes. He was unfortunate to miss out on a well-deserved hundred after he was run-out at the bowler’s end.
Sri Lanka got off to a solid start with Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne scoring 63 runs in 10.2 overs. However, both failed to kick on after getting a start and were dismissed for 41 and 32 runs, respectively.
Charith Asalanka scored 36 runs in 43 balls.
Dunith Wellalage (33 not out) and Maheesh Theekshana (28) added 64 runs in 63 balls for the eighth wicket to provide impetus at the backend of the innings.
Seamer Gulbadin Naib claimed 4-60 in 10 overs, meanwhile Rashid Khan bagged figures of 2-63.
Both teams didn’t make any changes to their playing XI for this contest.
