Chasing a revised target of 257 in 42 overs – after rain interrupted a chase of 295 with Afghanistan at 118 for one in 20.5 overs – Gurbaz and Rahmat’s power-hitting saw Afghanistan through.
A rain in the autumn delayed the launch by 15 twinkles, with floodlights shining bright indeed before the game began. But Kusal Mendis shone indeed lustrously, setting the colosseum ablaze with a whirlwind knock.
But a combination of Afghanistan baits spelling doom into Sri Lanka’s fur after Mendis ’ withdrawal, a fluent cooperation between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah, and an early rainfall intervention meant Sri Lanka stand- in captain’s knock ended up in a losing cause.
Chasing a revised target of 257 in 42 overs- after rain intruded a chase of 295 with Afghanistan at 118 for one in20.5 overs- Gurbaz (119, 92b, 8×4, 9×6) and Rahmat’s (93, 82b, 10×4, 3×6) power- hitting matched Mendis ’ trouble to see the platoon through. The brace’s cooperation of 212 runs off 152 balls, before both contemporaneously retired, meant Afghanistan gamboled home with 23 balls to spare.
Despite the brace’s trouble, it was Mendis (158, 87b, 19×4, 9×6)- who took over the captaincy with Dasun Shanaka unapproachable due to a sore shoulder- whose knock couldn’t be overshadowed at the Assam Cricket Association colosseum.
The right- hander was in superb touch ever since he replaced Dimuth Karunaratne. His straight punches and cover- drives off the bellwethers were a treat to watch and formerly spin was introduced, he painlessly cleared the shorter side of the ground. That he contended to his fifty in 31 balls, 100 in 59 and 150 in 84 is evidence to his form.
Sadeera Samarawickrama played alternate swindle, scoring only 32 of the 158 runs he and Mendis added for the third gate. At 240 for two, Sri Lanka was flying and Mendis decided to retire out, hoping for the lower- order to get match practice.
From there on, Sri Lanka lost the last seven lattices for a stingy 54 runs, with expert Mohammad Nabi wreaking annihilation with his off spin.
Latterly in the chase, Gurbaz and Rahmat displayed their range- hitting at will to serve a stern warning for the favourites. Know More Latest Cricket News….
