Match 1, Dubai, August 27, 2022, 07:30 PM
Sri Lanka
105/10(19.4ov)
Afghanistan
106/2(10.1ov)
Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Commentry
Right then, that is it from this game. Afghanistan have absolutely crushed the Lankans in the opener here and have taken two crucial points. However, the next game is the big one as India will be taking on Pakistan on 27th of August. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2.00 pm GMT) but do join us early for the build-up. Till then, goodbye and cheers!
Fazalhaq Farooqi the man of the match says that it is a big win for them. He says that he is happy with his performance and his role is to provide breakthroughs up front for the team. Adds that he is comfortable bowling at the start and as well as in the death overs.
Mohammad Nabi the skipper of Afghanistan says that the boys played really well especially Fazalhaq Farooqi as he was really good with the ball. Adds that in their meeting earlier, they had decided to bowl on the length and the bowlers stuck to that. Finishes by saying that their openers were amazing as well.
Dasun Shanaka the skipper of Sri Lanka says that the batting performance was not good. Adds that as international batters they should be able to bat at any situation. He praises Afghanistan for their bowling performance. He says that the wicket did not help the spinners but they should be performing on any pitch. Ends by saying that this was a night to forget and they will look to fight back in the next one.
The Presentation Ceremony...
Earlier in the game, the Afghan bowlers showed their magic and they will be very pleased with their performance. They took three wickets inside the first two overs. It was Fazalhaq Farooqi who made an amazing spell and took three wickets. The skipper Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman took two wickets each. The Lankans were struggling inside 13 overs as they were 75/9 but Chamika Karunaratne made them reach to a par total of 105.
The Sri Lankan bowlers can’t be blamed, they needed loads of wicket at the start but instead were taken to the cleaners. However, the game was won by Afghanistan in the first innings itself when they kept Lanka to a very under par total. The Lankans were just not up for this game.
A thumping win for Afghanistan and they’ve begun their campaign in some style! The openers got them off to a flying start and nearly sealed the chase. A couple of small knocks is what they wanted and both Gurbaz and Zazai did that.
In over# 11
1
Charith Asalanka 1/0(0.1)
10.1
1
Fuller one on leg which nips in, Najibullah Zadran looks to loft it but gets a thick inside edge. The ball rolls towards fine leg and they take one. Afghanistan win by 8 wickets!
Drinks! Afghanistan have absolutely bossed this chase. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai caused havoc in the middle and never gave the Lankans any chance to get back into the game. Sri Lanka would be happy that this night is close to being over for them. Only one run needed for Afghanistan now.
In over# 10
1
1
0
0
0W
1
Maheesh Theekshana 35/0(4)
9.6
1
Darts this down the leg, Najibullah Zadran flicks it through square leg for one more. The scores are tied now.
9.5
1
A bit short and on off, angling in, Hazratullah Zazai punches it towards covers for a single. 2 runs needed now.
9.4
.
Flatter and quicker, on middle, Hazratullah Zazai moves across to pull it but misses and gets hit on his pads.
9.3
.
Shorter and outside off, Hazratullah Zazai cuts it of the inner half towards point.
9.2
W
RUN OUT! Unlucky! Fuller and on off, Hazratullah Zazai drills it straight down the ground. The bowler attempts a diving stop and gets his hands to it. The ball deflects through his hands and hits the stumps at the non striker's end. Replay shows that the Ibrahim Zadran was outside his crease and he has to walk away. Nonetheless, the job is almost done!
9.1
1
On off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to long off for one.
In over# 9
0
1
1
1
4
1
Wanindu Hasaranga 19/1(3)