This was the first time that Afghanistan dismissed Rashid Khan without taking a wicket.
This was the first time that Afghanistan dismissed Rashid Khan without taking a wicket.
Afghanistan registered an impressive eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium here on Saturday.
After being put to bat, Sri Lanka lost the plot and were reduced to 105. The chase ended early, with Afghanistan scoring runs in 10.1 overs. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed 40 runs in 18 balls to put the match out of Sri Lanka’s reach. Fellow opener Hazratullah Zazai (No 37, 28B, 5×4, 1×6) stuck around to finish the job.
Sri Lanka were pushed to the back foot in the very first over, when openers Kusal Mendis and Charit Aslanka fell to left-arm pacer Fazlhaq Farooqui. Mendis got stuck on the pads while attempting to flick, while Aslanka failed to negotiate a delivery, which went on for a long time.
Danushka Gunathilaka (17) and Bhanuka Rajapakse (38) added 44 runs for the fourth wicket. Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s reverse sweep of Gunathilaka proved to be his ruin.
Afghanistan took the big wicket of Rajapaksa with a direct hit from captain Mohammad Nabi. At 49 for four, it would be prudent for Wanindu Hasranga to play the waiting game. The all-rounder instead took the attacking route, and paid the price. Captain Dasun Shanaka was sent back for a golden duck, and was followed by Mahesh Thekshana (0) and Mathisha Pathirana (5).
Chamika Karunaratne (31, 38b, 3×4, 1×6) showed some fighting to ensure that Sri Lanka batted through almost their entire quota of overs. Farooqui, who started Sri Lanka’s rot, was the most favorite of the bowlers with three wickets.