Sri Lanka outclass Afghanistan in supper-4 encounter

KABUL (Pajhwok): Sri Lanka have trounced Afghanistan by four wickets in their supper-four stage match of Asia Cup at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium.

After winning the toss, the islanders elected to bowl first. Afghanistan set the opposition a formidable target of 176 for the loss of five wickets.

Aggressive opener and wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz shone with the willow for the Afghans with a 45-ball 84. Ibrahim Zadran followed with a superb 40.

For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka took two wickets while Maheesh Theekshana and Asitha Fernando had to be content with one each.

Sri Lanka chased down the target of 176 with five balls to spare. Useful contributions from Kushal Mendis (36), Pathum Nissanka (35), Danushka Gunathilaka (33) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (31) saw the Sri Lankans romp home on the first delivery of the last over, according to the India Express.

For Afghanistan, Mujeeb and Naveen-ul-Haq grabbed two wickets each, with Nabi and Rashid claiming one scalp apiece.

sa/mud

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