Sri Lanka suffered their second consecutive loss in the Asia Cup 2018 to the hands of unpredictable Afghanistan by 91 runs to bow out of the Asian event. This is Afghanistan’s 6th win against a team which is ranked Under 10 in ICC ODI rankings. They registered 2 wins in 5 matches against Bangladesh and 3 wins in 5 matches against West Indies. Also read: Sunil Gavaskar predicts the overwhelming favourite to win Asia Cup 2018
- Afghanistan qualifies for the super 4 stage of Asia Cup.
- This is Sri Lanka’s second biggest loss in Asia Cup.
Earlier in the match, Afghanistan won the toss and choosed to bat first. The decision was proven right by their openers Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah Janat who added 57 runs for 1st wicket. Afgan batsman made the most of the good start as Rahmat Shah (72) and Hashmatullah Shahidi(37) helped them reach a total of 249/10 after 50 overs. Also read: Sanjay Manjrekar predicts the winner of Asia Cup 2018
Thisara Perera was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 5/55.
Sri Lanka were in spot of bother from the first over as Mujeeb Ur Rehman dismissed Kusal Mendis on a duck. Upul Tharanga and Dhananjaya De Silva showed some resistance as they added 54 runs for second wicket but after the departure of Dhananjaya(23), wickets started to tumble. Sri Lanka never gained the momentum and were 108/5 at one stage. Angelo Mathews(23) was the only hope left for Sri Lanka but Rashid Khan made sure that he removes the Sri Lankan captain early.
Thisara Perera(28) held one end with tumbling wickets from other end. His resistance was soon broken by a slow delivery by Gulbadin Naib which toppled the stumps. Rashid dismissed Malinga to help Afghanistan register an unexpected victory over Sri Lanka. Also read: Sourav Ganguly names his overwhelming favourite to lift the Asia Cup 2018
Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/26.
Here are the reactions by twitterverse after the unexpected loss
So Afghanistan ensure #IndvsSL se Aazaadi for the time being atleast by qualifying for the Super 4. A day of so much joy for the people in Afghanistan. Congratulations and enjoy @ACBofficials
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 17, 2018
Outstanding performance by @ACBofficials to defeat Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup and qualify for the Super 4. The more they play, the better they keep getting. Many congratulations to the Afghan boys.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 17, 2018
Mass suicide by Sri Lanka: poorly thought out run chase, unforgivable run outs, terrible strokes. Nothing to take away from Afghanistan though. Grit in batting and marvellous bowling #AsiaCup
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 17, 2018
Find it quite ridiculous that Sri Lanka have qualified for a World Cup in 2019 based on what Sanga and co did in 2013-14. Absolutely no fucking way on earth would they have gotten out of the qualifiers this year. Scotland easily better. And arguably Ireland too.
— Shanky (@CricAussieFan) September 17, 2018
Really bad days for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka going down against Afghanistan which would knock them out of Asia Cup. Afghanistan great fighters. But have to say I haven’t seen as big a belly on a sportsman ever as on Afghan wicket keeper.
— Hasan Zaidi (@hyzaidi) September 17, 2018
Really miss those days,
Where Sri Lanka was a Toughest team to beat. Sri Lankan team without old legendary players like Eranga, Gamage, Ranatunge, Hirakunde, Anoop Jalotange, Jasleeene is nothing. #AsiaCup2018 #AFGvSL— Sudhanshu #17 (@beingsudhanshu_) September 17, 2018
Since 1-1-2017.. Sri Lanka’s ODI record – Mts 41, Won 10, Lost 30, Nr 1 (%win 24.39). Among all 18 ODI teams, who played during this period only Australia 24% (6/25) and Papua New Guinea 23% (3/13) have performed worse than SL in ODIs.#AFGvSL #SLvAFG #AsiaCup2018
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 17, 2018
Sri Lanka have to ask @KumarSanga2 to return for a few months at least to stabilize a rapidly sinking ship. At this rate they will drop off as a frontline cricket nation soon.That would be a great pity. SL has a great tradition and hv produced so many great players. #slvsafg
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) September 17, 2018
Five time champions Sri Lanka are out of the #AsiaCup2018 even before one of the participating side (India) have played their first match. This is quite a unique situation in an international tournament!#AsiaCup#SLvAFG #AFGvSL
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 17, 2018
Well played @ACBofficials ??????????????????
Sri Lanka have some serious thinking to do before next years World Cup!— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) September 17, 2018
