The Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka cricket match at the ICC ODI World Cup in 2023 includes stand-out performances, player perspectives, and the exciting moments that shaped this matchup.
This match took place at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Stadium. With both sides tied at four points each, the match between these two cricketing teams carried the weight of a possible semi-final place. The match was interesting with a great performance from the Afghanistan side.
Afghanistan made the calculated choice to bowl after winning the toss in order to take advantage of the favorable early circumstances. Sri Lanka set the target with batting that seems to be not so much.
However, the Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka match has been thrilling till the very end.
Key performances Of Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Cricket Match
- The team of Afghanistan won by 7 wickets with 28 balls remaining 242/3 (45.2)
- From the Sri Lanka side, Pathum Nissanka made 46 runs in 60 balls
- Kusal Mendis made 39 runs in 50 balls
- Sadeera Samarawickrama made 36 runs in 40 balls
- Dilshan Madushanka took 2 wickets in 48 runs in 9 overs
- Kasun Rajitha took 1 wicket in 48 balls in 10 overs
- Sri Lanka made 241 in 49.3 overs
- From the Afghanistan side in the Afghanistan versus Sri Lanka match, Fazalhaq Farooqi took 4 wickets in 34 runs in 10 overs
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 2 wickets giving 38 runs in 10 overs
- Azmatullah Omarzai took 1 wicket in 37 runs in 7 overs
- Rahmat Shah made 62 runs in 74 balls
- Hashmatullah Shahidi made 58* in 74 balls
- Azmatullah Omarzai made 73* in 63 balls
- Toss of Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan match: The Afghanistan team won the toss and decided to bowl
- Angelo Mathews took 0 wickets in 18 runs in 3 overs
- Stadium: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium
Summary Of The Match
After winning the toss in this match of the ICC World Cup in 2023, the Afghanistan cricket team chose to bowl first in a calculated move to take advantage of the early conditions since the weather was showing some signs. They added Fazalhaq Farooqi to their lineup to make a change in the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka cricket match.
Afghanistan’s bowlers faced off against Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, and it was immediately obvious that the bowlers had a well-defined strategy. Mainly, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, an Afghan spin star who claimed two vital wickets during his span, was helpful in breaking the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
With an economy rate of less than four runs per over during this Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan game, his incredible turnaround was a huge relief for the Afghan squad. The bowling team applied strict discipline to line and length, which put tremendous pressure on Sri Lankan hitters.
The weather also difficult to make scores.
- The cricket team of Sri Lanka saw obvious Batting Problems. Throughout the ICC World Cup in 2023, Sri Lanka’s batting performance has been irregular, and this match was no exception.
Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama had a solid partnership, but neither batsman was able to turn their beginnings into significant scores. Sri Lanka’s problems with their middle order continued as the innings went on.
Returning to the ODI system, Angelo Mathews attempted to offer steadiness but was unable to produce an innings good enough to win the match. At the end of the innings of Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka, the team of Sri Lanka scored 241.
However, the team of Afghanistan showed Strong Batting in the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka cricket match. The players Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran took up guard as Afghanistan began its chase. Azmatullah Omarzai proved his batting talent. When it was needed, his cool-headed innings both calmed the ship and increased the run rate.
- Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghan captain, proved to be strong and was active in the successful run chase. Afghanistan won easily due to its well-collected half-century in the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka cricket match.
The Afghanistan cricket team showed their determination in this Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka match by putting on impressive bat and ball performances.
They effectively held Sri Lanka to 241 runs in total, laying the groundwork for a strong chase. Afghanistan won easily by seven wickets due to the combined efforts of Azmatullah Omarzai and Hashmatullah Shahidi, after Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz laid a strong opening partnership. Afghanistan claimed their victory with a final score of 242/3.
Squad from Both Teams In Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Cricket Match
Afghanistan
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Rahmat Shah
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Ikram Alikhil (Wicketkeeper)
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sri Lanka
- Pathum Nissanka
- Dimuth Karunaratne
- Kusal Mendis (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
- Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Charith Asalanka
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Angelo Mathews
- Mahesh Theekshana
- Dilshan Madushanka
- Kasun Rajitha
- Dushmantha Chameera
Undoubtedly, it was an exciting and unforgettable match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
Afghanistan proved they were worthy winners with their all-around performance, which was considered by cooperation and excellence in every area in the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka cricket match.
