Super 12 - Match 20, Brisbane, November 01, 2022, 09:30 AM
Afghanistan
144/8(20.0ov)
Sri Lanka
148/4(18.3ov)
Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets
That's all we have from this game which saw Afghanistan getting eliminated and Sri Lanka keeping their hopes alive. However, you do not need to go too far away as England and New Zealand have arrived at The Gabba with the result of the game having massive repercussions for their group. The game is scheduled to begin at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). Do switch tabs and get all the updates. Cheers!
Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, says that it was a good all-around performance. He credits Dhananjaya de Silva for his superb innings. Adds that they found some consistency in this game and will look to continue that. Mentions that they do not have control over other results, but they will need to win their last game and at a healthy run rate.
Mohammad Nabi, the skipper of Afghanistan, says they were good in the powerplay but could not put pressure on the opponents and therefore could not reach a good score. Mentions that they did not bowl good lines and lengths as there were too many short balls, which allowed the batters to hit the ball. Claims that since they haven't played their last few games they have not been able to build momentum in the tournament. Says they would have liked to play more and hopefully, they can get the win in the last game.
Wanindu Hasaranga is the Player of the Match for his match figures of 4-0-13-3. He says that they had to play their best cricket in this game after the two losses and he is happy with the performance. Adds that he saw Adam Zampa bowl really well and tried to vary his pace and bowl at the wickets. Mentions that he went for some runs in Perth but he had the confidence to come back. Tells that he knows how to bowl with bigger boundaries.
Time for the presentation...
The game was set up by the Sri Lankan bowlers though as they restricted the Afghanistan batters to an under-par score in the first inning. The top four batters got off to a decent start but could not convert it to big scores and that cost them 15 or so runs. Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka as he claimed three wickets for a measly 13 runs in his four overs. After failing in the last two games, the Sri Lankan batters would have been nervous coming into the crease but did not really show it as they achieved the target with ease.
Afghanistan did not get much swing at the start of the inning but Mujeeb Ur Rahman took an early wicket once again. They were however unable to take wickets in quick succession which allowed their opponents to accumulate runs at a steady pace. They once again depended on their lead spinner Rashid Khan to help them out but his two wickets were not enough to win Afghanistan this game. They have not yet performed at the best of their abilities and find themselves out of the competition.
Sri Lanka did not get off to the best of starts losing Pathum Nissanka early but Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis steadied the inning thereafter. The latter was dismissed after a decent start but Charith Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa came out to play handy supporting roles for Dhananjaya de Silva who reached an outstanding half-century. His 66 of just 42 balls guided Sri Lanka to an easy win with 9 balls to spare.
Dhananjaya de Silva has guided his team to a comprehensive victory over their Asian counterparts! This has been a comfortable win for Sri Lanka and they keep their chances of making it to the semi-finals alive with a 6-wicket win. They negotiated a tricky run chase with ease with the top order finally putting up a steady performance. Afghanistan will exit the tournament with this loss and will find themselves looking back at the two washed-out games. They have a chance to dent Australia’s hope and pick up a consolation win in their last fixture.
In over# 19
4
0
2
Fazalhaq Farooqi 22/0(3.3)
18.3
4
FOUR! Dhananjaya de Silva finishes things off in style! Fazalhaq Farooqi serves this full and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva stays there and smashes it over cover for a boundary. SRI LANKA WIN BY 6 WICKETS!
18.2
.
This is on a yorker length and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva slashes at it but gets an inside edge towards the keeper.
Slight Halt! This does not look good for Afghanistan as Rashid Khan is helped off the field having hurt his knee. He puts his 100% into his fielding even with his team losing and that has resulted in a calamity for his side.
18.1
2
SCORES LEVEL! This is short and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket where Rashid Khan gives his all diving to his right to stop it. Two runs taken! However, it looks like Rashid Khan has injured himself.
The skipper Dasun Shanaka makes his way out to the middle to wrap up the inning.
In over# 18
0W
1
4
4
1
3
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 24/2(4)
17.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Mujeeb Ur Rahman gets his second wicket, but it is too little too late for Afghanistan. This is quicker, short and on off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa tries to guide it towards third man, but plays it too fine as the ball lobs up off the arms of Gurbaz and he takes the catch running to his left.
17.5
1
Tossed up, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva eases it towards long on for a single.
17.4
4
FOUR! Back-to back for DDS! Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowls this short and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.