September 05, 2023 22:23
W
AFG 289 ALL OUT in 37.4 overs
Dhananjaya de Silva to bowl. Mujeeb on strike. WICKET! Mujeeb hits it down the ground and is caught at long on.
Afghanistan can still make it if it gets to 295 in the next three deliveries. A SIX can win it for Afghanistan. It does not look like the Afghanistan batters know of this.
Fazalhaq Farooqi blocks the next two deliveries. WICKET! Farooqi is caught leg before wicket! Afghanistan reviews the decision but it is a desperate attempt.
SRI LANKA ADVANCES TO SUPER 4.
3 NEEDED OFF 1
A big task at hand for Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Afghanistan needs three runs in one ball.
September 05, 2023 22:19
4
AFG 289/8 in 37 overs
Wellalage to Rashid Khan. A yorker to start; dot ball. A swing and a miss on the second. Missed a juicy slot ball. FOUR! Rashid pulls a back of a length delivery to deep square. Dot ball next. FOUR MORE! This time he hits it over covers.
7 needed off 2 deliveries.
FOUR to end the over. Rashid gets an inside edge which goes past the keeper and runs to the fence at fine leg.
Qualification scenario
Afghanistan needs 15 off 7 deliveries to advance to the Super 4.
September 05, 2023 22:10
4
AFG 277/8 in 36 overs
Rajitha to Rashid Khan. FOUR RUNS. Again, the bowlers puts it in the slot. Rashid Khan frees his arms and gets the ball over the cover boundary on one bounce. One run; Rashid slogs again, gets an outside edge but the ball does not carry to deep point. SIX! Zadran takes it on the full and clears the long off fence.
16 needed off 10.
CAUGHT AT DEEP SQUARE LEG! ZADRAN DEPARTS! Zadran slices the ball on the on side and the square leg fielder covers a good 30 yards to get under the ball and hold onto it.
Najibullah Zadran c Nissanka b Rajitha 23(15)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the new man. ALMOST RUN OUT! Mujeeb opens the face of the bat on a wide delivery and sets off. Rashid sends him back and he would have been back into the pavilion in case of a direct hit. A wide delivery from Rajitha. A dot ball to end the over.
Qualfication scenario
Afghanistan needs 27 runs off 13 deliveries to advance to Super 4.
September 05, 2023 22:05
4
AFG 265/7 in 35 overs
Pathirana to Zadran. A dot ball. Priceless! On Zadran’s pads and his flick is saved by the short mid wicket fielder. Zadran’s heave on the on side off a full length ball only gets a single. Rashid tries to work a delivery outside off to the on side. Can only get one run to deep mid wicket. FOUR RUNS! Full and wide and Zadran plays a lofted drive over covers. A brilliantly disguised slower bouncer on the final delivery.
Qualification scenarios
Afghanistan needs 33 to win off 19 deliveries.
September 05, 2023 22:01
6
AFG 259/7 in 34 overs
Theekshana to Zadran. SIX! It is too full and Zadran has space to free his arms. He sends it over long off. That’s 250 upf for Afghanistan. CHANCE! Zadran hits the next one straight back at Theekshana. He gets a hand to it but it is too tough to collect. 2 wides on the next one. Zadran cuts hard but there is a fielder to save it; one run. Rashid picks a single to long on on the fourth delivery. A single to deep cover on the last ball.
Qualification scenario
Afghanistan needs 45 runs to win from 25 deliveries.
September 05, 2023 21:55
6
AFG 247/7 in 33 overs
Pathirana to Rashid Khan. Nails the wide yorker; dot ball. Again in the block hole. Rashid gets bat to it but only to find the mid off fielder. SIX! Rashid gets the third delivery in the slot. Gets to the pitch of it and launches it over long off. Works the fourth delivery to deep cover for one run. Another single from Zadran to deep square. A wide adds a run to Afghanistan’s tally. A dot ball to end the over.
September 05, 2023 21:49
C
AFG 238/7 in 32 overs
Dunith Wellalage into the attack. WICKET! Karim is caught at backward point. The turn works the magic. It was in the slot but Karim’s bat turns in his hands and the backward point fielder makes no mistake.
Karim Janat c Karunaratne b Wellalage 22(13)
Najibullah Zadran gets off the mark on the first delivery with a punch to long off. On the pads and Shahidi clips it to third man for one run. Short cover fields Zadran’s drive but not fast enough to stop a single. ANOTHER WICKET! SHAHIDI IS GONE! It is short and down leg. Shahidi’s pull does not take elevation and goes right into the hands of the fine leg fielder.
Hashmatullah Shahidi c Rajitha b Wellalage 59(66)
Rashid Khan picks a single on the final delivery.
September 05, 2023 21:42
6
AFG 234/5 in 31 overs
Pathirana to Karim. SIX! A gift right in the slot. Karim clears his leg and packs it over covers. The next is a slower delivery and Karim waits for it before clipping it to deep square. Shahidi’s slice finds the fielder at point; no run. Shahidi swings hard at the next one. It is a miscue but into the gap between long on and mid wicket which allows two runs.
AFG 225/5 in 30 overs
Theekshana fires the first delivery into the pads of Shahidi. A dot ball to start the over. Sweeps the second but there is cover at deep square for it. Just one run. Another quick delivery into the pads of Karim. Prevents a run. Just one run on the fourth delivery. Shahidi misses his revese sweep and Theekshana appeals. Shanaka even decides to review the call. The UltraEdge shows there’s bat before the pad and SL loses it review.
Four runs off the over.
September 05, 2023 21:33
6
AFG 221/5 in 29 overs
Rajitha to Shahidi. A leg bye on the on side first up. The bowler did well to check the line after seeing Shahidi charge down. Karim’s drive finds the short cover fielder. FOUR! This time Karim connects and clears the infield. One bounce and into the ropes. The mid off fielder is taken back and Karim cleverly picks up a single. Karim with a punch to long on for another run. SIX! That is brute force. Right in the slot and Karim clears his foot and slogs it to send it the distance. 13 runs from the over.
September 05, 2023 21:29
50
AFG 208/5 in 28 overs
Pathirana to Shahidi. A single with a poke to short cover. That’s FIFTY for Hashmatullah Shahidi. Can he take his team to victory? Karim cannot middle a full and wide delivery. Has to settle for a single. Two runs. It is on the pads and Shahidi does not put too much power on it, simply clips it to deep square. Runs down the final delivery to third man for one run. Just five runs in the over. Sri Lanka starting to pull things back in control.
September 05, 2023 21:21
C
AFG 203/5 in 27 overs
Theekshana to Shahidi. Starts with a dot ball. Shahidi sweeps the next but there is cover in the deep. Just the single. WICKET! NABI IS OUT! He frees his arms on a good length delivery. Te ball is sailing as he sends it on the on side but Dhananjaya de Silva gets under it and takes it inches inside the ropes.
Mohammad Nabi c Dhananjaya b Theekshana 65(32)
Karim Janat is the new batter. Works the ball to long on to get off the mark. Shahidi places the ball between deep mid wicket and long on. He wants two but is sent back by Karim.
Just three runs from it.
A record for Mohammad Nabi
Nabi just hit the fastest ODI fifty by an Afghanistan batter. He got to the milestone in just 24 deliveries.
Asia Cup 2023: Mohammad Nabi hits fastest fifty for Afghanistan in ODIs
September 05, 2023 21:15
6
AFG 200/4 in 26 overs
The wily old fox Mohammad Nabi has brought this contest to life.
Rajitha to bowl the next over. Right on the stumps of Nabi. Defended. The second one is a dot delivery as well. SIX! A juicy half tracker for Nabi to pull away. The Afghan obliges. A couple to deep point on the fourth delivery. The fielder fumbles which allows the second run.. A third umpire check is needed but Nabi is safely in. SIX MORE! Nabi chases a wider delivery. Ends up slicing it and the deep cover fielder is getting under it. He can only watch it sail over his head.
September 05, 2023 21:11
50
AFG 186/4 in 25 overs
Pathirana to Shahidi. Gets a single on the second delivery with a tap to mid off. Nabi misses to connect to a full toss. The second dot in the over. FOUR! Tonks it over the infield and sends it to the cover boundary. FIFTY FOR NABI. Nabi has to dig the next one out and he sends it to deep cover for a single. A slower one to end the over.
Qualification scenario
Afghanistan needs 112 off 79 deliveries to advance to the Super 4.
September 05, 2023 21:04
6
AFG 180/4 in 24 overs
Shanaka to Nabi. A wide to start. Aims for a slower wider delivery but sends it a little too far. SIX! Nabi picks the slower one and slogs it over cow corner. Chips the second delivery over the circle and towards long off for a single. Two runs for Shahidi. Cuts a short and wide delivery but cannot clear the fence. The deep point fielder cuts across to field the ball. FOUR! Shahidi gets a full toss and he works it through the point region. This time the deep point fielder has no chance. A short delivery to follow but Shahidi miscues his pull. Just a single. FOUR to end the over. It is full and on the pads and Nabi closes the face of his bat too early. The outside edge flies through backward point. Theekshana puts in a desperate dive but cannot get to it.
September 05, 2023 20:55
6
AFG 161/4 in 23 overs
Pathirana back into the attack. SIX! Nabi is going all out attack. Gets under a ball in the slot and parries it over deep cover. FOUR more. Makes room and slices the ball over the third man region. The fielder in the deep gives it a chase but cannot get to it. A wide from Pathirana. Beaten on the third delivery. Nabi again goes for a wild heave but cannot connect to it. Two runs. Nabi is not anticipating a a short delivery. But he checks his shot in time to send it deep cover. Another wide, this time for an overhead bouncer. The third wide of the over. Pressure getting to Pathirana. FOUR! That’s 19 off the over. This one is on the body of Nabi and his cut is good enough to take an edge and fly past the keeper. A single to end the over.
September 05, 2023 20:50
4
AFG 141/4 in 22 overs
Theekshana to Nabi. Chance missed by Nabi. It is pitched short and he goes for a pull but misses. FOUR! Swings hard at a wide delivery. Gets a thick outside edge which flies over third man and point. Four again! Nabi makes room and goes inside out over covers. Picks a single on the final delivery to retain strike.
AFG 132/4 in 21 overs
Rajitha to Nabi. Works it away to third man for a single. Shahidi is lucky to escape. The ball kept low and though Shahidi was beaten, it missed the leg stump. Another one that keeps low. Shahidi finally manages to connect with a pull shot but there is a fielder in place at deep mid wicket. Just one run. Nabi works it to mid wicket to make it three runs from the over.
September 05, 2023 20:42
6
AFG 129/4 in 20 overs
Dunith Wellalage back for his second over. Shahidi looks for a flick but gets an inside edge on to his pads. Shahidi clears his legs for a slog but the yorker length delivery only allows for a single to long on. SIX! Nabi gets going. Overpitched and Nabi presents the full face of his bat. Clears the long on boundary. Picks a single with a push to long off.
September 05, 2023 20:36
C
AFG 121/4 in 19 overs
Rajitha continues. Shahidi on strike. Deceived by a slower one and he chips his flick into the air. There is no fielder inside the circle and Shahidi escapes with a single. WICKET! The ploy to bring Rajitha back works. Rahmat wants to loft the ball over mid on, but ends up offering a dolly of a catch.
Rahmat Shah c Pathirana b Rajitha 45(40)
Mohammad Nabi in at No. 6.
September 05, 2023 20:32
4
AFG 120/3 in 18 overs
Theekshana to Shahidi. Dot ball; fired into the block hole and it rams into the pads of the keeper. A quick single with a tap to covers turns to a couple with an overthrow. FOUR! Delicate! Plays a late cut to third man boundary. He caught that ball inches before the keeper’s gloves. A single with a nudge on to the on side. Rahmat drives the penultimate delivery to long off. Another single to long off from Shahidi.
September 05, 2023 20:27
4
AFG 111/3 in 17 overs
Rajitha replaces Pathirana. On to the pads of Rahmat and he works it away off his pad for one run. Rajitha hits the deck hard and the delivery rises on Shahidi. He runs it to third man for a single. FOUR! An outside edge from Rahmat’s attempted lofted goes over point and to the boundary ropes. Plays the fourth delivery wide of mid on for a single. Shahidi slaps a wide, slower ball to deep extra cover and runs two. A single on the last delivery.
September 05, 2023 20:23
4
AFG 101/3 in 16 overs
Theekshana to Shahidi. FOUR runs! Shahidi’s sweep takes a top edge and runs over the keeper to the boundary. Late cuts the next delivery to short third for a single. Rahmat with a punch on the up to long off. Shahidi sweeps the fifth behind square for another couple. That’s the 100 up for Afghanistan.
AFG 93/3 in 15 overs
Pathirana for his fourth over. Starts with a slower full toss to Shahidi who misses it. An overthrow from de Silva at short cover allows Shahidi to get off strike. The next delivery stays low and Rahmat misses it. Good change of pace to deceive Rahmat again. Ends the over with a bouncer. Just the one run from the over.
Qualification scenario
Afghanistan needs 200 runs in 139 deliveries to advance to the Super 4 stage.
September 05, 2023 20:11
6
AFG 92/3 in 14 overs
A change in bowling. Dhananjaya de Silva for his first over. Rahmat plays a good length ball on his back foot and punches it to long on. Shahidi steps out to attack but Silva cleverly pulls the length back. One run to long on. Rahmat tries an inside out lofted shot but miscues. Hangs in the air and goes just wide of short cover. Two runs taken. Two more for Rahmat with a reverse sweep. SIX! Rahmat latches on to a good length delivery and ends the over with a strike over long on.
Afg 80/3 in 13 overs
Pathirana coming round the wicket to left-hander Shahidi. Hasn’t been easy for the Afghan batters to pick him. He’s mixing his lengths, lines and pace nicely. Not being predictable. Two runs off the over.
September 05, 2023 20:02
6
Afg 78/3 in 12 overs
Dasun Shanaka into the attack now. Shahidi comes down the track and hits him over long on for a SIX! What a way to welcome a new bowler. On the legs and Rahmat places it towards fine leg. Wellalage dives to save a certain boundary. 13 runs off the over.
Afg 65/3 in 11 overs
Pathirana continues. Isn’t giving away much to the batters to hit. Lucky boundary for Afghanistan! Rahmat tries to pull but the ball hits his thigh pads and goes for four towards backward point!
September 05, 2023 19:51
4
Afg 58/3 in 10 overs
Theekshana into his fourth over. He has been right on the money, not allowing batters to score freely. Half-tracker and Rahmat punches the ball towards covers for four to end the over and PowerPlay.
September 05, 2023 19:44
W
Afg 52/3 in 9 overs
Matheesha Pathirana is now introduced into the attack. He strikes first bowl! or has he? Straight delivery and hits Naib’s pads. Umpire straightaway gave it out. Naib took the review immediately. However, on review, it shows three reds and Naib has to go.
Third wicket down.
Gulbadin lbw b Pathirana 22(16)
Hashmatullah Shahidi at the crease now. Pathirana testing him with short balls. Full on the pads and Shahidi pushes it towards midwicket for a double. Two runs off the over and a wicket.
September 05, 2023 19:40
4
Afg 50/2 in 8 overs
Change in bowling. Dunith Wellalage comes into the attack with his left-arm spin. Rahmat welcomes him with a cover drive for four! Half-volley to Naib and he smashes it over mid-on for four. Fifty-up for Afghanistan. 12 runs from that over.
September 05, 2023 19:36
4
Afg 38/2 in 7 overs
Rajitha into his fourth over. Short ball and Rahmat pulls it for four towards midwicket for FOUR! Length on the off stump and Rahmat pushes the ball towards cover for four! What a beautiful shot that!
Afg 29/2
Rahmat Shah is the new man in.
Theekshana continues. Terrific stuff from him. Just two runs off the over.
September 05, 2023 19:25
W
Afg 27/2 in 5 overs
Rajitha continues. Naib continues his attack. Length ball on the fifth stump and he opens the blade to place the ball over point for a four. Zadran has been a little quiet, not taking much risk. GONE! Tries to drive an outswinging delivery, gets an inside edge and chops onto the stumps. Second wicket down.
Zadran b Rajitha 7(14)
Five runs and a wicket in that over.
Afg 21/1 in 4 overs
Theekshana continues. He’s keeping it in the stumps. Not allowing batters to free arms. Three runs off the over.
September 05, 2023 19:14
W
Afg 18/1 in 3 overs
Rajitha continues. He gets the ball to swing away from Gurbaz on a length, who swings wildly, and gets the outside edge straight to keeper. First wicket for Sri Lanka.
Gurbaz c Kusal Mendis b Rajitha 4(8)
Gulbadin Naib comes in at number three and he begins his innings with a FOUR. Almost a similar length, but this time on the stumps, and he swings it over mid-on. The TV umpires are checking. It was given a six initially. Follows it up with another cracking shot. Half-tracker and he pulls it towards midwicket for four. Eight runs and a wicket in that over.
September 05, 2023 19:08
4
Afg 10/0 in 2 overs
Maheesh Theekshana is introduced in the second over. Huge appeal on the first ball but the umpires are not interested. The ball clipped the pads. Theekshana getting the ball to drift in. Width on offer on a length ball and Zadran smacks it towards extra covers for four. Misfielder by the fielder in the circle. Good way to end the over. Six runs off it.
September 05, 2023 19:03
4
Afg 4/0 in 1 over
Kasun Rajitha with the new ball. Right on the money on the first three balls. Hint of swing as well. Not a lot though. CLOSE! Gurbaz places the ball towards the point, the fielder makes a full stretch dive but can’t grab the ball. Great effort. FOUR! Gurbaz places it in the backward point region, right in the gap and first runs on the board for Afghanistan. Four off the over.
All set for the runchase
The players are out in the middle. Afghanistan has a task on its hands. It not only needs to chase down 292 runs but also inside 37 overs to qualify for the next stage.
Super four match schedule - Asia Cup
Asia Cup 2023 Super Four: Full schedule, dates, venues and timings of the Super 4 stage matches of the Asia Cup held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
ICYMI - Colombo to continue hosting Asia Cup games
The Asia Cup 2023 Super Four matches to be held in Colombo will remain in the city, contrary to previous reports of a change in venue owing to persistent rains.
How does Afghanistan qualify?
The Afghans need to get this total in 37.1 overs to pip Sri Lanka and advance to the Super 4 stage along with Bangladesh.
A neat finish from Sri Lanka
The total is not quite what it promised to be at once. But after the one-over mishap that was the Rashid Khan over, Sri Lanka would be pleased with this. Kusal Mendis got off the blocks from the get go. Six fours and three sixes for his 92-run knock. Charith Asalanka , Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne too got sizeable contributions for the team. But it was Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage who steered the side closer to 300 in the death overs. It is a decent-enough total for the Lankan bowlers would feel confident of defending.
September 05, 2023 18:28
6
SL 291/8 in 50 overs
Naib to Wellalage. Reads the slower one and wants to pull it. Does not midde it and the fine leg fielder collects the ball. A wide to follow. JUST MISSED! Theekshana is late on his pull shot. A top edge teases Naib but lands beyond his reach. One run taken. SIX! Wellalage punishes Naib for pitching it in the slot. Plays it over covers and clears the fence. A leg bye on the next delivery. FOUR! Theekshana is waiting for a slower delivery. Plays it inside out over the infield. CLEAN BOWLED! Naib castles Theekshana on the final delivery of the inninhs.
September 05, 2023 18:22
6
SL 277/9 in 49 overs
Farooqi to Theekshana. A single off a back-of-a-length delivery. Wellalage slices through the off side runs two. Another good save. Janat dives full stretch at third man to prevent a certain boundary. Theekshana goes for a hit down the ground but can collect just one run. SIX! Theekshana blows it away beyond the ropes. Right in the arc and the batter shuffles and swings his arms at it.
September 05, 2023 18:18
4
SL 267/7 in 48 overs
Naib to Wellalage. Starts with a full toss but the batter hits it straight at short cover. The second one is sent down to long on for a single. Theekshana waits for the ball to arrive and clips it to deep mid wicket for another run. FOUR! A full delivery and Wellalage takes a couple of paces out of the crease and pierces the ball between cover and mid off. He goes for a wild slog on the fifth ball. Gets it off his inside edge and settles for a single. Theekshana throws the kitchen sink at this full and wide delivery. The under edge is running to the fence before short third dives and saves it.
SL 259/7 in 47 overs
Farooqi back into the attack. Theekshana clips a slower ball on the on side. There is some deliberation for a double but the batters decide against it. A single on the last delivery as Wellalage drives an overpitched delivery.
SL 257/7 in 46 overs
Gulbadin Naib to bowl his second spell. Wellalage, on 14 off 23, to face him. A swing and a miss on the first delivery. A wide to follow. Wellalage punches the second to deep cover for one run. Theekshana gets off strike with a clip on the on side. Wellalage looks to pull a short delivery but it is too far wide of off. His stroke takes the ball only to long on. Another single on the final delivery.
SL 252/7 in 45 overs
Just four runs from Mohammad Nabi’s final over of the innings. Sri Lanka past 250 runs as well.
SL 248/7 in 44 overs
Rashid Khan for his final over. Theekshana cuts to deep cover for a single. The second run of the over comes on the fifth ball with a punch from Wellalage to long off. Theekshana rocks back on his back foot and picks a single through point.
SL 245/7 in 43 overs
Mohammad Nabi back. Just two runs from the over. A single each for Theekshana and Wellalage.
September 05, 2023 17:53
4
SL 243/7 in 42 overs
Rashid Khan continues. Wellalage faces. Leans forward and guides the fourth ball of the over to long on. FOUR! Rashid slips up on the final delivery. He drifts it on the pads and Theekshana gets bat on it to collect four runs.
September 05, 2023 17:49
4
SL 238/7 in 41 overs
Mujeeb to bowl his final over. Theekshana works the ball down the ground for a run. FOUR! After three dots, Wellalage paddle sweeps on a delivery drifting down the leg stump. Gets it fine enough to run it to the boundary. Wellalage drives the final delivery to long off.
September 05, 2023 17:44
RO
SL 232/7 in 40 overs
Rashid continues! OUT! OH NO! Rashid’s full toss is gently tossed right back at him by Shanaka. Rashid drops the catch but the ball hits the stumps. Mendis was backing up and puts in a dive to get home. The replays show the bat in the air and Mendis falls agonisingly short of his hundred.
Kusal Mendis run out (Rashid Khan) 92(84)
BOWLED HIM! Rashid bowls out Shanaka from around his legs. Messes up the sweep shot and sees the stumps rattled.
Dasun Shanaka b Rashid Khan 5(8)
Maheesh Theekshana Dunith Wellalage the new batters in the middle. Theekshana off the mark with a single to long on. FOUR! Wellalage cuts on his back foot and beats the backward point fielder.
September 05, 2023 17:37
B
SL 226/5 in 39 overs
Mujeeb to De Silva. GONE! He plays a sweep across the line and the ball crashes into the stumps.
Dhananjaya de Silva b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 14(19)
Dasun Shanaka in at No.7. Nearly gone. Shanaka is rushed into a shot towards the on side. Mendis wants a single but the fielder already has the ball. Sent back in time by his skipper. FOUR! The slightest bit of room on offer, Shanaka makes room and opens his face to guide the ball past short third. A single to long on on the final delivery.
September 05, 2023 17:31
4
SL 221/4 in 38 overs
Rashid to bowl his 7th over. Appeals! De Silva misses a sweep and the ball thuds onto the pads but the umpire denies. Afghanistan goes for a review. It looks to be drifting down leg and the ball tracker concurs. Rashid with a diving stop to prevent a single to long on.
FOUR! Poor fielding at long off. De Silva slaps it to the deep and the fielder lets the ball slips between his hands. Single on the next delivery to long on. Another overthrow allows a double to Mendis. No backing up by Afghanistan. Mendis chases a wider delivery and is done by the turn.
SL 214/4 in 37 overs
Mujeeb to de Silva. Two dots followed by a wide. The first run off the bat on the fourth with a cut to deep cover. Mendis plays the ball late and works it to square leg for a single. Another wide from Mujeeb. De Silva punches the final delivery to long off.
September 05, 2023 17:25
6
SL 209/4 in 36 overs
Rashid to de Silva. One run with a push to long on. Mendis pokes the second through point for another run. SIX! Mendis reads the googly. It helps that it is right in the slot. Parks it over long on. He moves to 89 with the shot. Nine runs from the over.
September 05, 2023 17:18
6
SL 200/4 in 35 overs
Mujeeb to de Silva. Clips a delivery on his pads with soft hands. The batters call for two but an overthrow allows a third too. SIX! Full and in the slot and Mendis slogs it over cow corner. Mendis pulls the fifth to deep backward square for a single. De Silva drives the final to deep cover for a single.
September 05, 2023 17:13
C
SL 189/4 in 34 overs
Rashid Khan to Mendis. A single with a push to extra cover. WICKET! RASHID STRIKES! A soft dismissal. Asalanka is drawn into a drive by the length of the delivery but Rashid throws in a googly. Asalanka gives a simple return catch to Rashid.
Charith Asalanka c and b Rashid Khan 36(43)
Dhananjaya de Silva joins the middle. A sure-footed front-foot defence on his first delivery. Defends the next two on his back foot. One run off the final delivery. There is a third umpire check needed due to a direct hit at the striker’s end. Mendis is just inches inside the crease.
September 05, 2023 17:08
4
SL 187/3 in 33 overs
Janat to Mendis. FOUR! Short and wide which is cut away to the point fence. Slices the drive on the next, full-length delivery. No run. The third one is on the pads and Mendis uses his wrist to guide in front of square for a couple. Drives the fourth to deep cover for a single. SIX! Asalanka gets one in the slot and he lofts it over long off. 100 partnership up between Mendis and Asalanka.
SL 174/3 in 32 overs
Mujeeb Ur Rahman back to bowl. Asalanka picks a single with a tap to mid on. Mendis works the third delivery to the square leg region for two runs. It was played with soft hands which allowed him time to come back for the second. Guides the fifth delivery to fine leg and gets one run. Asalanka beaten by a googly on the final delivery.
SL 170/3 in 31 overs
Karim Janat for his second over. Janat tests the batters with stump to stump line. Asalanka is beaten on the fifth delivery as the ball just shapes away a fraction after pitching. Just three runs from the over.
September 05, 2023 16:54
6
SL 167/3 in 30 overs
Farooqi to Mendis. A single after Mendis runs down the first delivery to third man. Asalanka punches to sweeper cover to add a run to his tally. SIX! SAILS OVER THE FINE LEG FENCE! Itis a short delivery and Mendis pull gets a top edge. Two more singles from the over.
SL 157/3 in 29 overs
Karim Janat into the attack for the first time today. Quick running. Mendis drives with soft hands and completes a single before mid off can get to the ball. Asalanka gets a run with a clip to deep square. A wide from Janat. Mendis cuts a delivery outside off stump to get the fouth run of the over.
September 05, 2023 16:43
50
SL 153/3 in 28 overs
Fazalhaq Farooqi is back into the attack. Two runs off the first delivery as Mendis works the ball wide of third man. Beaten! Tries to chase a wider delivery and cannot get a connection. FOUR! Driven past covers and Mendis gets to his 50. 150 up for Sri Lanka! A flick to square leg to get off strike. CHANCE! Asalanka slaps to deep cover and wants to come back for a second. A dive saves him in the end at the striker’s end.
September 05, 2023 16:38
4
SL 144/3 in 27 overs
Rashid Khan to Mendis. FOUR! Mendis steps out and chips the ball on the on side. It clears the infield and runs to the fence. FOUR more! This time Mendis clips a delivery on the pads past short mid wicket. Pulled away to the fence. This one is short and Mendis dispatches it behind square. A single on the fourth to deep cover and Mendis moves on 45. Asalanka defends and picks a single by the time the point fielder collects the ball. Again a short delivery but Mendis pull is straight at the fielder this time. 15 runs from the over.
SL 129/3 in 26 overs
Nabi to Asalanka. A single with an inside edge to square leg. Mendis defends a good length delivery. Pushes the next one to long on. Asalanka drives to long off on the fifth delivery. Mendis clips the final delivery to deep mid wicket to make it four in the over.
SL 125/3 in 25 overs
Rashid continues. We are into the 25th over and there hasn’t been much assistance for spinners so far. However, the Afghan bowlers have bowled tremendously well to keep the scoring rate in control. Four off the over.
SL 121/3 in 24 overs
Nabi bowling his seventh over. Keeping it simple with his wicket-to-wicket lines. Four runs off that over.
SL 117/3 in 23 overs
Rashid Khan continues with his leg spin. Sri Lanka batters to happy to run around for singles. Just four runs off the over.
SL 113/3 in 22 overs
Nabi continues. Just two runs off the over. Another tight over.
September 05, 2023 16:20
4
SL 111/3 in 21 overs
Change in bowling. Rashid Khan is into the attack now. Half-tracker, and Mendis places it towards midwicket for four. A very well timed shot. Eight runs off the over.
September 05, 2023 16:17
4
SL 103/3 in 20 overs
Nabi bowling his fifth over. He concedes first four off his bowling today. Asalanka slog sweeps it towards deep midwicket. Seven runs off the over.
September 05, 2023 16:13
4
SL 96/3 in 19 overs
Naib bowling his seventh over. Mendis pushes it towards covers, the fielder at deep does it well to save the four but the batters run three runs anway. Naib induces and edge off Asalanka’s bat but the ball goes in between the first slip and the deep third fielder for four. Eight from the over.
SL 88/3 in 18 overs
Nabi into his fourth over. Asalanka gets off the mark with a single. Just two runs off that over.
September 05, 2023 16:02
W
SL 86/3 in 17 overs
Naib now bowling his sixth over on the trot. OUT! Third wicket for Naib. Samarawickrama edges it to keeper. Length ball and he tried to guide but gets a faint edge. Sri Lanka loses three wickets in quick succession.
This has been a terrific spell and turnaround by Afghanistan after PowerPlay.
Samarawickrama c Gurbaz b Gulbadin 3(8)
Charith Asalanka comes to the crease. Just one run and a wicket in that over.
SL 85/2 in 16 overs
Nabi continues and continues to bowl the dot balls. Very tight bowling by the experienced Afghan here. Nothing on offer. Just three runs from it.
September 05, 2023 15:53
W
SL 82/2 in 15 overs
Naib into his fifth over. Boundary after four overs! Nissanka tucks it towards fine leg. The fielder at the boundary slides and saves it but his leg touches the ropes. OUT! Nissanka smashes the ball straight to point fielder. Second wicket for Naib. Both the openers are now out.
Nissanka c Najibullah b Gulbadin 41(40)
Sadeera Samarawickrama joins Mendis at the crease. Seven runs and a wicket in that over.
SL 75/1 in 14 overs
Nabi continues. Last four overs, the bowlers have made sure to stick with wicket-to-wicket lines. Field being spread has also helped in gaining control. Four runs from the over.
SL 71/1 in 13 overs
Naib continues. Boundaries have dried up in the last two overs. Mendis and Nissanka happy to deal in singles and doubles. Three runs off the over.
SL 68/1 in 12 overs
Mohammad Nabi comes into the attack with his off-spin. Not much help from the surface to spinners so far, or for bowlers in general. Three runs from the over.
September 05, 2023 15:36
W
SL 65/1 in 11 overs
Terrific start for Sri Lanka.
Naib continues. OUT! Slow ball, on length, Karunaratne plays it early and the ball goes straight into the hands of the cover fielder. End of a terrific opening stand between Karunaratne and Nissanka.
Karunaratne c Nabi b Gulbadin 32(35)
Kusal Mendis comes in at number three. He gets off the mark with a double towards fine leg. Three runs and a wicket in that over.
September 05, 2023 15:33
4
SL 62/0 in 10 overs
Mujeeb into his fifth over. Another boundary. Length ball and Nissanka guides it, almost sweeps it, towards backward square leg for four. Six runs off the over and that’s the end of the first PowerPlay.
September 05, 2023 15:29
4
SL 56/0 in 9 overs
Naib continues with his gentle medium pace. Karunaratne gets a length ball and opportunity to open his arms, and he places the ball towards point for four. That brings up fifty runs for Sri Lanka as well. Seven runs off the over.
September 05, 2023 15:26
4
SL 49/0 in 8 overs
Mujeeb continues with his off-spin. Another four. Nissanka finds a drivable length and places it towards covers for four. Six runs off the over.
September 05, 2023 15:22
4
SL 43/0 in 7 overs
Change in bowling. Gulbadin Naib into the attack. A bit of width on the length, Nissanka punches it towards extra covers. A biit of misfield but the batters run only a single. Length ball, on the hips and Karunaratne guides it for four towards square leg to end the over.
SL 38/0 in 6 overs
Mujeeb continues. A quiet over this by the off-spinner. Stuck to wicket-to-wicket lines. Just two runs off it.
September 05, 2023 15:16
4
SL 36/0 in 5 overs
Half-volley by Farooqi and Nissanka starts the fifth over with a cover drive for four. Farooqi comes round the wicket, half-tracker on the pads and Nissanka pulls it for four towards fine leg. Width on offer, and Nissanka smashes it away for third boundary of the over, this time towards covers.
September 05, 2023 15:13
4
SL 24/0 in 4 overs
Rahman continues. Short and wide, Nissanka smacks it towards extra covers, slight misfield and two runs gifted to the Sri Lankan score. No spin on offer so far. A cover driven for four to end the over by Karunaratne.
3rd over
Farooqi continues with his left-arm pace. Terrific over there. Maiden. Hint of seam, not a lot though.
September 05, 2023 15:05
4
SL 15/0 in 2 overs
Early introduction of spin. Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman into the attack in the second over. Flat and width on offer and Karunaratne slashes it for four. Six runs off the over.
September 05, 2023 15:01
4
SL 9/0 in 1 over
Fazalhaq Farooqi with the new ball. Length ball by Faroogi, width on offer, and Karunaratne punches it for four towards covers. Full on pads and Karunaratne flicks it for four towards midwicket. A good start for Sri Lanka. Nine from off the over.
All set!
We are done with the national anthems. Players are all set to take the field. Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne have entered. Afghanistan team is in a huddle.
Not only a must-win game for Afghanistan but it needs to win by a huge margin to qualify for the next stage.
Sri Lanka only needs to avoid a huge defeat here.
AFG vs SL: Head-to-head records
In ODIs
Played - 10 | Sri Lanka - 6 | Afghanistan - 3 | No result - 1
Playing XIs
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Toss update
Sri Lanka has won the toss and opts to bat.
Sri Lanka makes no changes in the playing XI; same team for Afghanistan as well.
A warm welcome at the Gaddafi Stadium
Weather in Lahore
It is sunny in Lahore and there is little to no chance of rain playing any spoilsport in today’s game.
Asia Cup 2023 points table
Afghanistan will need a big win over Sri Lanka today to up its net run rate and qualify for the super four stage. Meanwhile for Sri Lanka, a win here will confirm its place in the next stage.
Asia Cup 2023 points table: India qualifies for Super 4 with win vs Nepal; Pakistan, Bangladesh through
AFG vs SL D11 team
Wicketkeepers: Kusal Mendis
Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne
All rounders: Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Mohammad Nabi
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Team Composition: SL 7-4 AFG | Credits Left: 10
Live streaming
The Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Asia Cup 2023 match will be telecast live on the Star Sports network and will be streamed live on the Disney+ Hotstar app.
Welcome
Welcome to the live coverage of the last group match of the Asia Cup 2023 between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Stay tuned for the live updates.
