afganistan
Cricket

Asia Cup 2022: Afghanistan annihilate Sri Lanka by 8 wickets

The Asia Cup 2022 got underway on Saturday with Afghanistan defeating Sri Lanka by an eight-wicket margin at the Dubai International Stadium.

Afghanistan fielded first and Sri Lanka and were bowled out for 105 runs. Aside from Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s 39 runs in 28 balls and Chamika Karunarathe’s solid 31 runs in 38 balls, no Sri Lankan batter scored more than 20 runs. In reality, eight Sri Lankan batsmen ended their turns with scores of less than 10. Afganistan smashed this target with their superior batting skills and won in only 10.1 overs. Left-handed batsman Hazratullah Zazai, who was not out at 37, and wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanllah Gurbaz, who hit 40, made 83 runs together to add to the bowlers’ early dominance.

The victory was in large part to the efforts of fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, who had bowling figures of 3-11. Sri Lanka, reeling from early wickets, would have hoped that the steadying presence of Pathum Nissanka would help to bring the team back on track. But Naveen-ul-Haq caught Nissanka from behind on the last ball of the next over. Following a strong appeal by Naveen-Ul-Haq, the on-field judgement was made to award the bowler a caught-behind ruling. Nissanka, on the other hand, appeared convinced that he had not edged it. The replays seemed to back up his confidence because there was a gap between the bat and the ball and the ultra edge did not reveal any spike.

While the replays supported his assertion, the Lankans were surprised to see that the third umpire maintained the verdict of the on-field umpire. “I see a spike as the ball passes the bat. Satisfied bat involved,” the TV umpire was heard saying, as Nissanka walked back to the pavilion. This followed a heated reaction from Sri Lanka’s dressing room, with Nissanka lamenting his removal.

Sri Lanka did a little better after Nissanka was out, but they lost their fourth batter with 49 runs on the board. The team kept losing wickets, and in 19.4 overs, they were only able to score 105/10.

Gurbaz smashed three fours and four sixes in his 18-ball blitz before succumbing to leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. Zazai kept attacking with the help of Ibrahim Zadran, who made 15 runs before he got run out. This brought the Afghan fans to life and made the Sri Lankan crowd quiet. Afghanistan reached their goal in just 10.1 overs and won their first game at the Asia Cup 2022.

 

Farzeen K

Farzeen K

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