Kusal Mendis and Kasun Rajitha starred with bat and ball as Sri Lanka clinched a 2-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their second match of the Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday.
Mendis missed out on his century by whisker as he fell short by eight runs as the Lankans posted a total of 291 runs in 50 overs batting first.
Chasing the total, Afghanistan at one point were comfortably edging towards the total when Rajitha delivered with the ball and eventually bowled them out for 289 runs.
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For the Afghans, Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 59 off 66 balls while experienced all-rounder Mohammed Nabi hit a quickfire 65 off 62 balls.
Even if Afghanistan had to qualify they had to score 295 runs within 37.4 overs, which looked possible at one point of time but the Lankans clinched the win for their team in the end.
MORE: India Cricket World Cup squad announced
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Final Score
Sri Lanka - 291/8 (50 overs)
Afghanistan - 289/10 (37.4 overs)
MORE: Asia Cup 2023: Teams, squads, fixtures, results & tables
Highlights Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
A perfect display of counterattack as @KusalMendis13 brings up a solid fifty! 😍
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 5, 2023
Will he continue and reach the three-figure mark? 👀
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KARAMATI KHAN! 😍@rashidkhan_19 dents #SriLanka with timely wickets & brings #Afghanistan right back into this contest! 💪🏻
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 5, 2023
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THE FASTEST 50 FOR AFGHANISTAN IN ODIs 🤯#MohammadNabi played an absolute blinder! Do you think #Afghanistan can get to the target in 37.1 overs to qualify for the Super Four? 🤔
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 5, 2023
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Heartbreak for Afghanistan 💔
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 5, 2023
Ecstasy for Sri Lanka 🤩
We've witnessed an absolute classic, one that will be remembered by fans for a long long time 🫶
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What next for Sri Lanka & Afghanistan?
Afghanistan are out of the tournament after losing both their group-stage games against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, qualified for the Super Four stage with a hundred percent win record in the group stages. They will next face Bangladesh in the opening match of the Super Four stage on September 9.