Asia Cup 2022: Afghanistan Thrash Sri Lanka By 8 Wickets; Zazai & Gurbaz Seal Easy Win
Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets with 9.5 overs in hand, boosting their run rate in Group B of Asia Cup 2022.
Chasing a meagre target of 106, Afghan openers - Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz displayed thunderous batting as these two took on the added 83 runs in just 6 overs. Hasarangra dismissed Gurbaz on the first delivery of the 7th over but Afghanistan were way ahead then with only 23 runs required.
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Wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz smacked 40 runs off just 18 balls with 3 fours & 4 sixes while Hazratullah Zazai scored an unbeaten 37 runs off 28 balls with 5 fours & a six to complete an easy win for Afghanistan in the first match of the Asia Cup 2022.
In the first innings, With a lethal bowling performance, Afghanistan were able to bowl out Sri Lanka for a low total of 105/10 in 1st match of Asia Cup 2022.
Fazalhaq Farooqi started the proceedings with two wickets in the very first over of the match, while Naveen-u-Haq got rid of Pathum Nissanka (3) in the 2nd over. Then, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Danushka Gunathilaka etched a partnership of 44 runs in 32 balls for the 4th wicket.
However, once this partnership was broken by Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the 8th over for 49 runs, Sri Lanka went on to lose wickets quite regularly, setting a target of 106 against Afghanistan in the first match of Asia Cup 2022.
While Bhanuka Rajapaksa remained the top scorer for the Lankans with 38 runs off 29 balls with 5 fours & a six. In the end, Chamika Karunaratne also contributed with 31 runs off 38 balls to help Sri Lanka cross the 100-run mark. For Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up 3 wickets while Mujeeb and Nabi grabbed 2 wickets each with Naveen picking up 1 wicket to bowl out Sri Lanka in 19.4 overs.
A comprehensive Victory For Afghanistan To Start To The Tournament!#AsiaCup2022 #AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/R5FDSZNVj2
— CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) August 27, 2022
Also Read: Asia Cup 2022 Scorecard
Earlier, Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss & opted to bowl first against Sri Lanka in the first match of Asia Cup 2022. This match was played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
