Afghanistan have pulled off a scintillating 91-run triumph over five-times Champion Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup match at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Rahmat Shah, who was adjudged the man of the match, played a superb knock of 72 from 90 balls, after Afghanistan elected to bat first in Monday’s utterly one-sided encounter.
Mohammad Shahzad chipped in with 34 runs, Ihsanullah 45 and Hashmatullah 37 to lift their side to 249 in the stipulated 50 overs, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesman said.
Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News Thisara Perera claimed a five-wicket haul, but his majestic bowling spell went up in smoke as Sri Lankan batting once again collapsed miserably.
The islanders’ campaign came to grief, crashing out of the tournament as a result of their second consecutive humiliation. The Sri Lankans had suffered a 137-run defeat in the Asia Cup opener against Bangladesh.
Afghanistan’s top order batsmen exhibited tremendous control and their bowlers, supported by outstanding catching and ground fielding, sent the rival crashing out of the event and scored their first-ever ODI win over Sri Lanka.
Spinner Mujeeb trapped Kusal Mendis leg before wicket before Sri Lanka could open their account. Mujib, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi got two scalps each to bundle out the opposition for 158.
The winners will take on Bangladesh in the last Group B match, although the result will not matter as both sides have already marched to the Super Four stage.
By Sheer Ahmad Usmani
