Mohammad Nabi’s recreation altering 65 off 32 balls got here to nothing as Sri Lanka pulled off an exhilarating two-run win over an audacious Afghanistan to qualify for the Super4s of the Asia Cup in Lahore on Tuesday. Kusal Mendis’ high-quality 92 had pushed Sri Lanka to 291 for eight on the Gadaffi Stadium. Resulting from their inferior run fee, Afghanistan wanted to chase down 292 in 37.1 overs and Nabi put them on the cusp of a well-known win by smashing the quickest half-century by an Afghanistan batter in ODIs. In what turned out to be a riveting end, the qualifying equation got here down to fifteen runs wanted off seven balls and Rashid Khan elevated the center fee on both facet of the dressing rooms by discovering three fours off left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage within the thirty seventh over.

At that tense second, Afghanistan wanted three runs off the primary ball of the thirty eighth over with two wickets in hand.

Nevertheless, Mujeeb Zadran’s wicket on the primary ball of the over triggered heartbreak within the Afghanistan camp with the frustration written everywhere in the gamers’ faces within the dressing room.

Such was the extent of their dejection was that they weren’t alert sufficient to know that Afghanistan nonetheless had an opportunity in the event that they hit a six of the next three balls of the thirty eighth over.

Rashid was left stranded on the different finish with Fazalhaq Farooqi trapped in entrance by Dhananjaya de Silva.

Following the shut end, Sri Lanka turned the second group to qualify for Super4s from Group B after Bangladesh.

Afghanistan had misplaced their high three for 50 runs earlier than Nabi produced an innings to recollect whereas batting alongside skipper Hashamatullah Shahidi (59). His particular effort comprised 5 sixes and half a dozen boundaries.

Earlier, Sri Lanka openers Pathum Nissanka (41) and Dimuth Karunaratne (32) gave a brisk begin to the innings earlier than being dismissed by medium pacer Gulbadin Naib.

Moderately than the bowlers’ abilities, it was extra concerning the openers throwing their wickets away after a shiny starting.

Batting at No 3, Mendis then put Sri Lanka on the right track for a 300 plus whole with a close to flawless effort comprising six boundaries and three sixes.

The spotlight of his elegant innings was the consolation with which he performed the wily Rashid, who has constructed a status of foxing the very best within the enterprise.

Mendis had no points selecting his googlies and within the twenty sixth over, labored him for 3 consecutive fours on the leg facet. Later in Rashid’s spell, Mendis made good contact with the leggies’ googly to ship it over lengthy on for a most.

The Sri Lankan batter deserved 100 however was run out in an unlucky with the ball bursting by means of bowler Rashid’s palms to crash the stumps on the non-striker’s finish, leaving Mendis nicely out of his floor.

His 102-run stand with Charith Asalanka (36 off 43) additional consolidated for Sri Lanka however Afghanistan spinners eliminated Dhananjaya de Silva and skipper Dasuna Shanaka in an area of six balls to decelerate the scoring fee.

Ultimately, Sri Lanka did nicely to get near the 300-mark due to a 64-run stand for the eighth wicket between Maheesh Theekshana (28) and Dunith Wellalage (33 not out).

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