SL vs AFG T20I Asia Cup 2022 Highlights: Afghanistan Thrash Sri Lanka, Win With 59 Balls to Spare

Afghanistan cantered past Sri Lanka as they kick-started their Asia Cup campaign with 8 wicket win. Here, it must be mentioned that they won with 59 balls to spare which is bound to give their Net Run Rate(NRR) a huge hit. It all began when Afghanistan openers Rahamanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai gave them a flying start and they had raced to 83 runs in the first six overs. Hasaranga was also among the runs before he managed to give Sri Lanka a breakthrough. But it was way too late for a turnaround as their bowlers, especially strike spinners like Theekshana and Hasaranga just couldn’t contain the runs.

And that would be it. That would be an easy win for Afghanistan and what a way to start off your campaign in Asia Cup. That was rout. Wins the match by 8 wickets and wins it with 59 balls to spare. So, that net run rate takes a huge hike. AFG 106/2(10.1)

WICKET! And that would be a run out. That was really unfortunate for Ibrahim Zadran. Could have seen his team home, as he departs with Afghanistan needing just three more. AFG 103/2(9.2)

Now Wanindu Hasaranga getting smashed. But not to take anything away from the batter Ibrahim Zazai as he brings up the HUNDRED for Afghanistan. That was straight right over bowler’s head. He was just a spectator. AFG 102/1(9)

FOUR!-Things are going bad to worse here from CSK spinner Mahesh Theekshana. Poor line and length as the batter making the most of it. That was a great cut shot from Ibrahim Zadran. AFG 94/1(8)

WICKET! Hasaranga gets his man…Rahmanullah Gurbaz gone, clean bowled. That was the googly from the spinner and the batter couldn’t anticipate it. Sees his wickets flying. Finally a breakthrough for Sri Lanka. But isn’t it late? AFG 83/1(6.1)

21 runs coming off the sixth over and that would be the most runs in the powerplay for Afghanistan in their history of T20 cricket. 83 runs coming off in the six overs. FOUR, FOUR, misfield…..nothing going in Sri Lanka’s favour. AFG 83/0(6)

SIX! Great shot from Gurbaz again. Slow ball from Karunaratne and the batter just carved it over long off. Interestingly, it will sail over the fence despite the batter not giving it a whack. Afghanistan are pouncing over Lanka as they Zazai gets FOUR. AFG 73/0(5.3)

And FOUR! Another scoring shot from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Nonetheless, Theekshana pulls his length back and concedes a couple of runs. And then comes FOUR—yet again. The batter was Zazai. What an expensive over here from the spinner. Afghanistan running away with the game and that too very easily. AFG 62/0(5)

SIX! First ball from Theekshana  and Gurbaz got into the position quickly. Can’t believe that this is the mystery spinner as he gets launched for back-to-back SIXES. FIFTY UP for Afghanistan. Well, folks this is turning out to be a one-sided affair. AFG 53/0(4.2)

Now then, Sri Lanka have handed the ball to Wanindu Hasaranga and starts off well with a couple of singles. And then came the SIX from Zazai. Slow and loopy ball, the batter slams it right over the cow corner. Maximum. SL 41/0(4)

And another FOUR. Wow, what a shot. After a four and six, Gurbaz now plays this one through the covers. Looks so good. 14 RUNS ALREADY. Gurbaz on the move, Afghanistan making the move in the powerplay. AFG 29/0(2.4)

FOUR! New bowler Matheesa Pathirana gets slammed for a boundary. Now, the bowler has a peculiar action just like Malinga. The hand is coming so low and yet Gurbaz was ready. And off the next ball, he hooks that one for a SIX! So, ten runs coming off the first three balls. AFG 25/0(2.3)

In the air and dropped. The fielder gave it a chase, but he won’t reach there. A couple of runs from Hazratullah Zazai. Aggressive batting upfront from Afghanistan. Sri Lanka will rely heavily on their spinners to put the brakes. AFG 15/0(2)

WICKET! or is it? Huge shout from Theekshana there and was given OUT by the umpire. Nonetheless, Gurbaz took it upstairs and survives. So no early breakthroughs for Sri Lanka. AFG 13/0(1.1)

We are back for Afghanistan innings and we are treated to some great batting. Hazratullah Zazai smashing Madushanka for a superb FOUR. Nice start for Afghanistan here in small chase. AFG 11/0(1)

Great bowling upfront from Fazalhaq Farooqi made sure that Sri Lanka managed to score a paltry 105 in their Asia Cup opener in Dubai. They started horrendously as they were reduced to 5/3 under the onslaught from Farooqi and his new ball partner Naveen Ul Haq. Then came the onslaught from the spinner as Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman both picked up a couple of wickets. Some poor running between the wickets also saw Lanka losing a couple of wickets before Karunaratne rescued them witn a gusty 31.

WICKET! And that would be gone and that would be game over for Sri Lanka. Yorker length from Farooqi as he picks up his third wicket. Meanwhile Karunaratne gone for 31 which means Sri Lanka are ALL OUT for 105.

FOUR! Great shot again from Karunaratne. Saw the ball and got into the position quickly and Sri Lanka have crossed the hundred run mark. And that dressing room reaction tells you a lot. HUNDRED UP. SL 103/9(19.2)

In the air and caught, but NOT OUT as it was a free hit. Nonetheless, Naveen Ul Haq comes out with a yorker and had the batter trapped in front? Huge shout, umpire says not out so Afghanistan has gone for the review. SL 99/9