Asiad: Afghanistan A set up semifinal with Pakistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan A have defeated Sri Lanka by eight runs in the quarter-finals in the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou on Wednesday.

Asked to bat first, Afghanistan scored 116 runs before they were bowled out in 18.3 overs at the Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket Ground.

Noor Ali Zadran hit 51 off 52 balls. Shahidullah and Mohammad Shahzad chipped in with 23 and 20 runs respectively.

Nutwan Thushara was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka. He took four wickets.

Afghanistan then bowled out Sri Lanka for 108 in 19.1 overs, with Gulbadin Naib and Qais Ahmad claiming three wickets each and Karim Janat and Zahir Khan bagging one scalp apiece.

By virtue of this convincing triumph, Afghanistan cruised into the semifinals of Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition.

They will take on Pakistan on Friday. Afghanistan A will tour Oman for a two-match ODI and five-game T20 series from October 12 to 23.

kk/mud