In a thrilling encounter at Pune, Afghanistan triumphed over Sri Lanka by seven wickets, marking their third win in the ongoing World Cup and bolstering their chances for a coveted spot in the semi-finals.
Chasing a target of 242, Afghanistan showcased a disciplined batting performance, reaching 242-3 in 45.2 overs.
Afghanistan’s bowlers displayed stellar performance, restricting Sri Lanka to a low total of 241 in 49.3 overs.
Despite several Sri Lankan batters getting starts, none managed to capitalize fully. Kusal Mendis (39) built crucial partnerships with Pathum Nissanka (46) and Sadeera Samrawickrama (36). However, Afghanistan’s bowlers struck at regular intervals, preventing Sri Lanka from reaching a commanding total.
In response, Afghanistan faced an early setback with the loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the opening over. However, Rahmat Shah (62) and Ibrahim Zadran (39) steadied the ship with a composed 73-run partnership. Though Rahmat Shah fell to Kasun Rajitha, he had already secured his second successive fifty of the tournament.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (58 not out) and Azmatullah Omarzai (73 not out) then took charge, forming an unbroken century stand. Their partnership of 111 runs not only anchored the innings but also guided Afghanistan to a convincing victory. Azmatullah scored the winning run with an attempted six, providing a fitting end to a remarkable chase.
This victory was pivotal for Afghanistan, who had already defeated reigning champions England earlier in the tournament. With this back-to-back win, Afghanistan climbed to the fifth position in the points table, instilling hope among their fans for a spot in the semi-finals.
The spirited performance from Afghanistan underscores their determination and resilience in the tournament.
