NEW DELHI: Afghanistan continued their remarkable journey in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 by pulling off an impressive victory over the 1996 champions Sri Lanka by seven wickets.
The foundation for this triumph was laid by Afghanistan’s bowlers, who managed to dismiss Sri Lanka for a below-par 241 in 49.3 overs.
During the chase, three of Afghanistan’s top five batsmen, including Shahidi, contributed with half-centuries in a clinical manner, securing the win in 45.2 overs and elevating Afghanistan to the fifth spot on the points table. Azmatullah Omarzai (73) scored the winning run while Shahidi (58) watched from the other end.
This victory highlighted Afghanistan’s prowess, as they had previously stunned defending champions England and 1992 winners Pakistan in the tournament, proving that those earlier successes were no accidents.
Despite several Sri Lankan batters getting starts, they couldn’t capitalize on those opportunities. Even though Sri Lanka looked well-placed at 134-2 in the 28th over to reach a target of 275, Afghanistan’s consistent wicket-taking pegged them back.
While Angelo Mathews and Maheesh Theekshana managed to add 45 quick runs for the eighth wicket, Sri Lanka still fell short of the 250-run mark. Afghanistan faced an early setback, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over.
However, Rahmat Shah (62) and Ibrahim Zadran (39) formed a reassuring 73-run partnership.
Rahmat reached his second consecutive fifty of the tournament before being dismissed by Kasun Rajitha. Shahidi and Omarzai then combined a blend of cautious and aggressive cricket, sealing an unbroken century partnership that brought Afghanistan closer to their target.
With victory in sight, both batsmen chose to go for their shots, with Azmatullah eventually scoring the winning run when he attempted a six, but was dropped at deep midwicket.
Watch Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets to pull off its third victory in World Cup 2023
The foundation for this triumph was laid by Afghanistan’s bowlers, who managed to dismiss Sri Lanka for a below-par 241 in 49.3 overs.
During the chase, three of Afghanistan’s top five batsmen, including Shahidi, contributed with half-centuries in a clinical manner, securing the win in 45.2 overs and elevating Afghanistan to the fifth spot on the points table. Azmatullah Omarzai (73) scored the winning run while Shahidi (58) watched from the other end.
This victory highlighted Afghanistan’s prowess, as they had previously stunned defending champions England and 1992 winners Pakistan in the tournament, proving that those earlier successes were no accidents.
Despite several Sri Lankan batters getting starts, they couldn’t capitalize on those opportunities. Even though Sri Lanka looked well-placed at 134-2 in the 28th over to reach a target of 275, Afghanistan’s consistent wicket-taking pegged them back.
While Angelo Mathews and Maheesh Theekshana managed to add 45 quick runs for the eighth wicket, Sri Lanka still fell short of the 250-run mark. Afghanistan faced an early setback, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over.
However, Rahmat Shah (62) and Ibrahim Zadran (39) formed a reassuring 73-run partnership.
Rahmat reached his second consecutive fifty of the tournament before being dismissed by Kasun Rajitha. Shahidi and Omarzai then combined a blend of cautious and aggressive cricket, sealing an unbroken century partnership that brought Afghanistan closer to their target.
With victory in sight, both batsmen chose to go for their shots, with Azmatullah eventually scoring the winning run when he attempted a six, but was dropped at deep midwicket.
Watch Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets to pull off its third victory in World Cup 2023
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