Afghanistan knock Sri Lanka out of Asia Cup

Sports Desk: Afghanistan continued their rise in international cricket with an upset 91-run win over Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi yesterday, knocking the former champions out of the Asia Cup.

Sri Lanka needed to win the Group B match to stay in the tournament but were outwitted by smart batting from Afghanistan, who put up a fighting total of 249 all out at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

The fighters then laid into Sri Lankan batting with spinner Rashid Khan (2-26), Mohammad Nabi (2-30) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-32) sharing wickets as the five-time former winners were bowled out for 158 in 41.2 overs.

Sri Lanka did not help their cause with two run outs while skipper Angelo Mathews played a reckless shot off Nabi and was caught near the boundary for 22.

Sri Lankan's batters failed miserably with only Upul Tharanga (36) and Thisara Perera (28) offering some fight.

Afghanistan were helped to 249 all out in their 50 overs with Rahmat Shah scoring 72 and Ihsanullah Janat chipping in with 45.

Shah struck five boundaries during his 90-ball knock and added 50 for the second wicket with Janat (45) after Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat on a flat pitch.

Sri Lanka's seamer Thisara Perera took five for 55 while spinner Akila Dananjaya finished with two for 39.



risingbd/Sept 18, 2018/Mukul