Sri Lanka won the nail-biting match against Afghanistan

Sri Lanka registered a 2-run nail-biting win over Afghanistan in the 6th match of the Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat first.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka scored 291 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 50 overs. Sri Lanka were off to a solid start with a 63-run partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne. Karunaratne scored 32 runs, while Pathum Nissanka scored 41 runs. Kusal Mendis was the top scorer with 92 runs, and he was unfortunately run out. Charith Asalanka contributed with 36 runs. Asalanka and Mendis made a 102-run partnership for the fourth wicket. At the back end of the innings, Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana added 64 runs for the eight wickets. Wellalage scored an unbeaten 33 runs, while Theekshana contributed 28 runs. For Afghanistan, Gulbadin Naib claimed four wickets.

Afghanistan needed to chase down the target within 37.1 overs to qualify for the Super Four stage. Afghanistan fought hard to chase down the target, but they were unable to cross the line, and they were bowled out for 289 runs in 37.4 overs. Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 59 runs, while Rahmat Shah contributed 45 runs. Mohammad Nabi was the star with the bat and scored 65 runs in 32 balls. For Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha claimed four wickets.
With that win, Sri Lanka qualified for the Super Stage, and Afghanistan was eliminated from the Asia Cup in 2023.