Sport
Afghanistan’s final Asia Cup 2023 Group B encounter against Sri Lanka resulted in a close two-win loss for Afghanistan
Bishamber Yadav,6 september 2023
Tuesday night, Sri Lanka narrowly advanced to the Asia Cup Super 4 stage with a thrilling two-run triumph. Tuesday’s last group game was dramatic as Afghanistan’s quest of a difficult goal took an unexpected turn. Based on estimations of the net run rate, Afghanistan briefly appeared to be in position to eliminate Sri Lanka from the competition; for them to join Bangladesh in moving out of Group B, they needed to reach a daunting 292-run mark in 37.1 overs. Afghanistan, however, didn’t appear to be aware of a critical calculation: they might have still advanced to the Super 4 by scoring 295 runs in the following three deliveries.
The 11th batter, Fazalhaq Farooqi, held off the following two balls from the part-time spinner de Silva in an exciting turn of events. Rashid Khan was unfortunately left stranded at the non-striker’s end as he was called out for a leg before wicket on the third delivery. As a result, Afghanistan’s innings was ended after 289 runs in 37.4 overs, falling just short of the necessary total and giving Sri Lanka a dramatic victory.
Afghanistan’s ability to reach the Super Fours
If they had been able to hit certain run targets at crucial times, they might have been able to surpass Sri Lanka in terms of net run rate. Here are several crucial run targets:
after 37.2 overs, 37.3 overs, 37.5 overs, 296 over 38 overs, or 297 over 38.1.
They needed their No. 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi to do the feats of valour in order to accomplish this. He had the opportunity to reach these goals by hitting a four on the first ball of the 38th over, a six on the third, fourth, or fifth delivery, or even by taking a single to give Rashid, who was batting at 27 runs off 16 balls, the chance to try and win the match on his own. The game was on the verge of being decided by a single run, but Sri Lanka eventually maintained composure to win handily.
It’s interesting to note that Jonathan Trott, the head coach of Afghanistan, said that the side had not been informed of all the specifics of the various target situations. Trott claims that Afghanistan was only aware that they needed to reach the mark in 37.1 overs.
Due to Afghanistan’s elimination from the group stage, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka joined Group A’s India and Pakistan in making it to the Super Fours stage of the Asia Cup. Bangladesh had recently thrashed Afghanistan in Lahore by a commanding 89-run margin.
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