Driven by Dhananjaya de Silva’s first half-century within the World Cup, Sri Lanka registered a six-wicket win in opposition to Afghanistan within the Group 1 Super 12 fixture on the Gabba. With two factors from two washouts from 4 matches, Afghanistan at the moment are out of competition for the final 4 spot within the 2022 T20 World Cup. By the top of the competitors, Sri Lanka have been third within the factors desk beneath New Zealand and Australia, with an NRR (-0.46) worse than England (+0.24).
Chasing 144, Sri Lanka misplaced each the openers by the hands of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan earlier than crossing the fifty-mark and provided assist to the spinners.
Stability was restored for the Asian champions when Dhananjaya shared a 54-run stand with Charit Aslanka (19) for the third wicket. Rashid will as soon as once more come to Afghanistan’s rescue as Asalanka was caught attempting to extend the run fee for lengthy.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa (18) added one other 42 runs with Sri Lanka’s quantity three, however ended the sport earlier than falling to Afghanistan’s second wicket-taker Mujeeb and wanted simply two extra to chase. Dhananjay conceded 4 runs at additional cowl to Mujeeb to finish the successful recreation in Brisbane.
Hasranga shakes the pendulum
Earlier, after successful the toss and electing to bat, Afghanistan obtained off to a powerful begin within the powerplay, including 42 runs within the first six overs courtesy Rahmanullah Gurbaz (28 off 24) and Usman Ghani (27 off 27).
It was the primary time in 5 makes an attempt at this World Cup {that a} staff was wicket-keeping within the powerplay on the Gabba. However, Lahiru Kumara will clear bowl Gurbaz on the primary ball as soon as the on-field ban is lifted to supply Sri Lanka and the opening. The main wicket-taker of that event, Wanindu Hasaranga didn’t miss.
The 25-year-old stopped the circulate of runs for the Afghans, conceding solely 13 runs in his spell of 4 overs, deciding on 3fer to take his tally to 13 within the World Cup.
Hasranga, who was additionally the main wicket-taker within the event with 16 scalps within the UAE final 12 months, didn’t take Afghanistan to 150 factors with two wickets within the last over. Rashid and Mujeeb have been each keen to come back down the observe and go for large runs, the leggie used bounce from the floor and shortened it to clear the previous and allowed Mendis to stump the latter.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
