This year's Asia Cup group stage battle ended with a great match. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka met yesterday in the last match of the group stage of the Asia Cup. In Group B, these two teams had a chance to qualify for the Super Four. However, the equation for going to the Super Four in Afghanistan was quite complicated. The team's run rate fell behind a lot due to a huge loss to Bangladesh in the last match. So Afghanistan would have won by a big margin to qualify for the Super Four. For Sri Lanka on the other hand the equation was very simple!
The match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka was played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. Both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan entered the field with their maximum strength. At the beginning of the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat. There were several reasons behind Sri Lankan captain Dashun Shanaka's decision. In the beginning, they wanted to put pressure on Afghanistan by collecting good scores. Because Afghans have to win this match by a huge margin to qualify. On the other hand, a win or a narrow loss will qualify Sri Lanka in the Super Four after a great win against Bangladesh in the first match.
The two openers Pathum Nisanka and Karunaratne started brilliantly for Sri Lanka. These two batsmen put together a partnership of 60+ runs. But then Sri Lanka lost three valuable wickets by just 23 runs. Pace-bowling all-rounder Gulbadin Naib took three wickets for Afghanistan. Sri Lanka was under some pressure after losing 3 wickets but that pressure was handled by Kushal Mendis and Asalanka. These two batsmen made a pair of 100-plus runs.
Once Kushal Mendis and Asalanka departed, Sri Lanka would have been reduced to 7 wickets for 227 runs. At that time it seemed that Sri Lanka might not be able to cross 250 runs. However, Sri Lanka's first innings stopped at 291 runs at the end of 50 overs due to the excellent batting of two bowlers. Afghanistan's front equation stands at 292 runs. But it has to be won in just 37.1 overs. It seemed impossible at the beginning but the Afghanistan batter made it almost possible. However, luck didn't help the team on this day.
In response to Sri Lanka's 292 runs, Afghanistan lost three informed batsmen by 50 runs. At that time, it seemed that Afghanistan would easily lose this match. But no! Mohammad Nabi's devastating batting and captain Hasmatullah Shahidi's outstanding performance made the Afghans dream of winning the match. Mohammad Nabi brings up the fastest half-century in Afghanistan's ODI history. Mohammad Nabi departed after scoring 65 runs from 32 balls, but Karim Jannat kept the wheel of runs going.
After the departure of Karim Jannat and the captain, Rashid Khan and Najibullah's Zadran took the team very close to victory. But in the end, the Afghans failed for 2 runs. At this rate, Afghans didn't qualify for the Super Four. However, even if the team didn't win the match, Afghanistan won the hearts of the fans.
