The ICC reprimanded Afghanistan’s spin duo, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, for violations of the ICC Code of Conduct during their Asia Cup game against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The penalties were imposed by the match referees as a Level 1 offence in the Code following incidents during the game. Noor, the left-arm wrist-spinner, was found to have violated Article 2.8, which refers to "showing dissent at an umpire's decision." The 19-year-old showed visible signs of frustration after one of his deliveries was ruled a wide, in the 16th over, by the on-field umpire.

Mujeeb was charged with an Article 2.2 violation of the Code for the "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match." While on the field, the off-spinner broke the stumps with his towel, which was determined to be a breach of the Code.

Sri Lanka remains unbeaten as Afghanistan bow out after disciplinary matters involving the spin pair

Both have accepted the charges, both are subject to the sanctions proposed by Richie Richardson, ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, meaning there won't be a formal hearing. In addition to the reprimands, both players will receive a demerit point added to their disciplinary record; this is the first offence for both Noor and Mujeeb in a 24-month period. The charges were brought by on-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Virender Sharma, third umpire Faisal Afridi and fourth umpire Rohan Pandit.

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On the field, Sri Lanka maintained their good form in the tournament, winning convincingly by six wickets. Chasing down Afghanistan's target, Sri Lanka made it three wins on the bounce and remain unbeaten in the tournament. For Afghanistan, it was their second loss on the bounce, which knocks them out of the Asia Cup.

While the sanctioning on the field was frustrating, neither Noor or Mujeeb will have to refocus both of them on their upcoming assignments after Afghanistan was knocked out of the Asia Cup. The duo will look to bounce back stronger in the future and be more mindful and not specimen such situation on the field.

Group B of the Asia Cup 2025 is hanging in the balance as Afghanistan prepares for a must-win encounter against Sri Lanka on Thursday, September 18, in Abu Dhabi. Having started their campaign with a commanding victory over Hong Kong, Afghanistan looked in control, but a narrow defeat to Bangladesh has left their future uncertain. This final group-stage clash will not only decide Afghanistan’s fate but also play a decisive role in Bangladesh’s qualification hopes.

Afghanistan delivered a clinical performance in their first match against Hong Kong and won the game by 94 runs; with that win, they secured two valuable points and had boosted their net run rate (NRR) to +2.150. Afghanistan then suffered an early setback in their second match against Bangladesh. Chasing 155, Afghanistan showed glimpses of brilliance, with Azmatullah Omarzai’s 30 providing hope, but Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed’s sharp death bowling restricted them to 146, resulting in an eight-run defeat.

With that loss, Afghanistan sits on two points from two matches, making the final clash against Sri Lanka a do-or-die battle. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has completed all three of its group fixtures, winning two and losing one. Hong Kong, on the other hand, is already eliminated, leaving the fight for two Super Four spots between Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Possible Scenarios for Afghanistan Qualification

If Sri Lanka wins against Afghanistan, they will finish on six points and top the group, while Bangladesh will qualify second with four points despite their weaker NRR. This outcome would end Afghanistan’s campaign with just two points. However, if Afghanistan wins, a three-way tie at four points will emerge, and net run rate will determine the qualifiers.

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Afghanistan, already possessing the best NRR, would qualify with any margin of victory. Sri Lanka’s superior NRR still keeps them in contention unless they suffer a heavy defeat. For Bangladesh, the only route to qualification lies in Afghanistan beating Sri Lanka by a huge margin, such as a 70+ run win or a chase with 50+ balls to spare, so that Sri Lanka’s NRR drops below –0.270.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has unveiled the lineup for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, appointing Hashmatullah Shahidi as the captain and Rahmat Shah as the vice-captain. Additionally, four reserve players—Sharafuddin Ashraf, Shahidullah Kamal, Abdul Rahman Rahmani, and Bilal Sami—have been named. The series kicks off on February 7, 2024.

Regrettably, spinner Rashid Khan is excluded from the team due to an ongoing recovery process from a back injury. The squad features Naveed Zadran, who debuted in the Test format and has earned a spot in the ODI team. Mohammad Saleem, facing a hamstring injury sustained during the second day of the solitary Test against Sri Lanka, will miss the series.

CEO of Afghanistan Cricket Board, Naseeb Khan, emphasized the board’s intention to schedule more bilateral series to keep the team busy. Naseeb expressed that this marks the third trip for the Afghani team in the last 16 months and is confident in the selectors’ choice of a promising squad, anticipating an exciting series for the fans.

He expressed, “Our continuous efforts have been focused on arranging additional bilateral cricket matches to maintain a packed schedule for our national teams. This visit to Sri Lanka is our third within the last 16 months, indicating a positive trajectory. The selectors have chosen a formidable lineup, and we look forward with anticipation to a thrilling series ahead.”

The Afghanistan national cricket team has swiftly gained prominence in international cricket within a short span. As one of the fastest-growing cricketing nations globally, the Afghan team continues to make a mark with its recent impressive performances. Originating from challenging circumstances, the Afghan cricket team has evolved into a formidable contender, recognized today as a favorite capable of giving tough competition to leading teams.

In the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023, Afghanistan had a noteworthy campaign. Winning four out of nine matches, including victories against prominent teams like Pakistan and England, showcased their prowess. Afghanistan came close to defeating Australia and securing a spot in the tournament’s semi-finals. As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the Afghani team is anticipated to be a frontrunner for qualification into the knockout stages.

In the three-match T20I series against India earlier this month, Afghanistan delivered commendable performances, nearly clinching victory in the third game in Bengaluru. Key players, such as Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and others who actively participate in various T20 competitions worldwide, contribute significantly to the team’s competitiveness.

ODI Squad for Afghanistan in Sri Lanka Series

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmat Shah (Vice-Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (Wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Qais Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, and Farid Ahmad Malik.

Reserve Players: Sharafuddin Ashraf, Shahidullah Kamal, Abdul Rahman Rahmani, and Bilal Sami

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The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has revealed the 16-member squad for the upcoming singular Test match against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo starting from February 2.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the team, with Ikram Alikhil appointed as the vice-captain. Notably, several fresh faces have been included in the lineup, while Rashid Khan will be absent due to ongoing rehabilitation from a back injury.

Naveen Zadran and Mohammad Ishaq have received their inaugural call-up to the squad. Naveen, a right-arm pacer, and Ishaq, a wicket-keeper batsman, showcased commendable performances in the Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class and the recently concluded Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional List A Tournament. Their notable displays during the Afghan Abdalyan’s Tour of Oman in October last year further solidified their places.

This Test match marks Afghanistan’s eighth appearance in the format, and it also serves as their inaugural encounter against Sri Lanka. The team is slated to participate in six more Test matches later in the year, including a two-match home series against Bangladesh and a one-off Test against New Zealand. Having won five out of their seven Test matches thus far, Afghanistan played their maiden Test against India in 2018.

Sulimankhil stated, “The team went through a rigorous two-week preparation camp in Nangarhar, followed by a 10-day conditioning camp in Abu Dhabi. The camps involved all support staff collaborating with the players to ensure thorough preparation for the upcoming series. We have diligently observed the proceedings and selected a squad that includes several promising talents who have excelled in recent domestic events.”

Afghanistan has rapidly emerged as one of the most dynamic cricketing sides globally. The team had a commendable campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023, securing the sixth position with four victories in nine matches. Notably, Afghanistan defeated formidable teams like Pakistan and England and came close to triumphing over Australia.

Following the solitary Test match in Colombo, Afghanistan is scheduled to engage in a three-match ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. The ODI series is set to commence on February 7, with the T20I series following suit on February 17.

The squad representing Afghanistan for the one-off Test against Sri Lanka

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmat Shah (Vice-Captain), Ikram Alikhil (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Ishaq (Wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah, Nasir Jamal, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Nijat Masoud, Mohammad Saleem Safi, and Naveed Zadran comprise Afghanistan’s squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Sri Lanka.

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AFG vs SL Match Preview

Afghanistan will play Sri Lanka in the 30th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Monday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Afghanistan is currently in the bottom half of the league table, having won only two of five matches. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi will be hoping that the team can keep winning against the Islanders. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, recorded a morale-boosting victory over Sri Lanka, thanks to outstanding performances from Lahiru Kumara, Pathum Nissanka, and Sadeera Samarawickrama. Sri Lanka’s playoff hopes remain alive as a result of this result.

AFG vs SL Match Details

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – 30th Match

Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association – Pune

Date & Time: 30th October 2023 at 02:00 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar

AFG vs SL Venue Stats

AFG vs SL Pitch Report

This is a good batting wicket with a fast outfield and a fast surface. Spin bowlers will also benefit from bounce and turn at Pune’s Stadium.

AFG vs SL Weather Report

The forecast calls for warm weather throughout the match, with temperatures ranging from 27 to 32 degrees. Humidity is not expected to be an issue because it will not rise above 40%.

AFG vs SL Last Five Matches

AFG vs SL Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Afghanistan vs Afghanistan, 14th Match – Toss Update, Playing XIs

AFG vs SL Probable Playing XIs:

Afghanistan Probable Playing XIs

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka

Topmost Picks for AFG vs SL Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Afghanistan

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been a standout performer for Afghanistan, showcasing top-notch form with the bat. His ability to consistently deliver explosive performances
• Rashid Khan – Rashid Khan has been the best bowler for Afghanistan and has picked up 6 wickets while bowling at an average of 37 and an economy rate of 4.86.

Top Picks – Sri Lanka

• Pathum Nissanka – The opener comes into this match looking to hit his fourth successive half-century in the competition and was the only player in Sri Lanka’s top six with a strike-rate over 100 in Match 19.
• Kasun Rajitha – The right-arm medium fast bowler came back into the side and announced himself with 4-50, his best ever ODI bowling figures. He will fancy his chances against a low in confidence Sri Lanka batting side.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for AFG vs SL Dream11 Team:

Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Pathum Nissanka(C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Angelo Mathews, Rashid Khan(VC), Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for AFG vs SL Dream11 Team:

Kusal Mendis(C), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(VC), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Pathum Nissanka, Azmatullah Omarzai, Angelo Mathews, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Dilshan Madushanka

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis

Vice-captain – Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Wicketkeeper – Kusal Mendis

AFG vs SL Probable Winners

This appears to be an excellent contest between two teams that are suddenly thinking of themselves as contenders for the top four spots. And whoever wins this game will be in great shape for their next match. Afghanistan will look to bat with the same aggression and fluency that they did against Pakistan; if they can do so, they will cause Sri Lanka plenty of problems. However, we believe that Sri Lanka’s batting lineup is more consistent, which will be critical. Sri Lanka will win this match in Pune, according to our prediction. Considering the team combination, Sri Lanka is expected to win this match.

AFG vs SL Match Preview

In the third Asian Games Quarterfinal, Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan. The match will begin at 6:30 a.m. IST at the Pingfeng Campus Cricket Ground. Due to the World Cup in 2023, both teams will be without senior players. Shehan Arachchige will lead Sri Lanka, which will include Shevon Daniel, Ashen Bandara, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Lasith Croospull, among others. The players have limited international experience but have performed well in the Lanka Premier League. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be led by campaign veteran Gulbadin Naib. Mohammad Shahzad, Karim Janat, Afzar Zazai, Fareed Malik, and Qais Ahmed will also be on the team. Afghanistan has a lot of experience and will be hoping to win against Sri Lanka.

AFG vs SL Match Details

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – Quarter-final Match

Venue: Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field – Hangzhou

Date & Time: 04th October 2023 at 06:30 AM IST 

Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar

AFG vs SL Venue Stats

AFG vs SL Pitch Report

The pitch will be low and slow, and it will be difficult to time the ball. However, once established, run scoring should be relatively simple.

AFG vs SL Weather Report

The weather will be clear, with temperatures ranging from 27 to 19 degrees. Rain poses no danger.

AFG vs SL Last Five Matches

AFG vs SL Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

AFG vs SL Probable Playing XIs:

Afghanistan Probable Playing XIs

Noor Zadran, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Afsar Zazai, Sediqullah Atal, Gulbadin Naib (c), Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmad, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Sayed Shirzad

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Lasith Croospulle, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sahan Arachchige (c), Lahiru Udara (wk), Ashen Bandara, Ravindu Fernando, Ranitha Liyanarachchi, Nimesh Vimukthi, Nuwan Thushara, Isitha Wijesundara, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth

Topmost Picks for AFG vs SL Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Afghanistan

• Mohammad Shahzad – He is one of the most destructive batters in T20s. The batter has been left out of the Afghan team due to poor fitness but there is no doubt about his batting skills. He is a match winner on his day.
• Qais Ahmed – Spinner Qais Ahmed will post serious challenge to the inexperienced batting lineup of Sri Lanka. The spinner will not be easy to pick and may turn out to be the leading wicket-taker for Sri Lanka.

Top Picks – Sri Lanka

• Lasith Croospulle – The opener will have to do that job with the bat for the team. Lasith had some decent performance in the Lanka Premier League
• Nuwan Tushara – Nuwan Tushara will be the team’s strike bowler. The bowler had a good run in the Lanka Premier League and picked 11 wickets in 7 games.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for AFG vs SL Dream11 Team:

Mohammad Shahzad, Lahiru Udara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lasith Croospulle, Noor Zadran, Gulbadin Naib(C), Sahan Arachchige(VC), Karim Janat, Nuwan Thushara, Fareed Ahmad, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for AFG vs SL Dream11 Team:

Mohammad Shahzad, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lasith Croospulle, Noor Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sahan Arachchige, Qais Ahmad, Karim Janat(C), Nuwan Thushara(VC), Fareed Ahmad, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat

Vice-captain – Sahan Arachchige, Nuwan Thushara

Wicketkeeper – Mohammad Shahzad

AFG vs SL Probable Winners:

Afghanistan is a huge favorite. The team has multiple match winners in both batting and bowling. Sri Lanka has named an inexperienced team. Batters are likely to struggle against Afghan spinners. We recommend betting on Afghanistan to win because they are heavy favorites. Considering the team combination, Afghanistan is expected to win this match.

AFG vs SL Match Preview

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka meet in the sixth match of the 2023 Asia Cup on Tuesday afternoon at the Gaddafi Stadium. Afghanistan were defeated by Bangladesh by 89 runs in their opening match of the season on Sunday. Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets in their first game. Afghanistan is in poor form in this format and struggled for much of their defeat to Bangladesh on Sunday. To compete with Sri Lanka in this game, they will need to improve their bat and ball performance. Sri Lanka won with 66 balls remaining on Thursday, thanks to a strong bowling performance and a solid batting performance. In this match, they will be very confident of winning another ODI.

AFG vs SL Match Details

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – 6th Match

Venue: Gaddafi Stadium – Lahore

Date & Time: 05th September 2023 at 03:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Fancode App

AFG vs SL Venue Stats

AFG vs SL Pitch Report

In Lahore, this is a good batting wicket with plenty of pace on the surface. Quick bowlers who are consistent with their line and lengths will be rewarded.

AFG vs SL Weather Report

On Tuesday, the weather forecast calls for sunny and very hot conditions throughout the game. Throughout the match, the temperature will not fall below 30 degrees.

AFG vs SL Last Five Matches

AFG vs SL Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

AFG vs SL Probable Playing XIs:

Afghanistan Probable Playing XIs

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana

Topmost Picks for AFG vs SL Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Afghanistan

• Ibrahim Zadran – The opening batter will be looking forward to batting again at this venue after hitting 10 fours and one six on this pitch on Sunday.
• Fazalhaq Farooqi – The left-arm pace bowler went wicketless and conceded runs at a rate of 8.83 per over on Sunday. However, he will get plenty of pace from this pitch again in this match.

Top Picks – Sri Lanka

• Dimuth Karunaratne – The 35 year old was dismissed early in the opening match but has an excellent all-format record at international level.
• Matheesha Pathirana- the 20 year old has played only five international fixtures but big things are expected of him. With an unusual action, he could cause plenty of problems to Afghanistan’s batters.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for AFG vs SL Dream11 Team:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Ibrahim Zadran(VC), Mohammad Nabi, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Dhananjaya de Silva, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana(C)

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for AFG vs SL Dream11 Team:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(C), Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pathum Nissanka(VC), Ibrahim Zadran, Dasun Shanaka, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Dhananjaya de Silva, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Matheesha Pathirana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Vice-captain – Ibrahim Zadran, Pathum Nissanka

Wicketkeeper – Rahmanullah Gurbaz

AFG vs SL Probable Winners:

Afghanistan must win this game in order to advance in the tournament, and we expect them to be particularly aggressive with the bat in this match. In this match, Sri Lanka will be looking for more runs from their top order, but they also have plenty of runs in their middle order. Overall, we believe Sri Lanka will be too strong and will win this match. Considering the team combination, Sri Lanka is expected to win this match.

Afghanistan enters the must-win territory and will need to find a way to make an impact with their bowling on flat tracks. Sri Lanka will be pleased with their bowling attack and will be happy in particular with Matheesha Pathirana and the other youngsters stepping up in the absence of the senior bowlers.

AFG vs SL Match Details

Date: September 5th, 2023

Time:  3:00 PM IST

Venue: Lahore

AFG vs SL Weather Report

The weather looks pretty clear for the upcoming fixture.

AFG vs SL Pitch Report

Dew and a flat track make bowling a better option.

AFG vs SL Head-to-Head

Played- 10 | Afghanistan- 3 | Sri Lanka- 6 | NR- 1 | Tie- 0

AFG vs SL Predicted Playing XI

AFG Playing XI

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Riaz Hassan, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Shahidullah, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazhalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad

SL Playing XI

Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera/Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan

AFG vs SL Key Players

Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana has announced himself in One Day Cricket. He was really good in the first game and with four wickets he will now be high on confidence knowing that he has a spot in the format and can put pressure on the senior bowlers.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is in really good form with the bat and with some flat tracks in Pakistan he could be in action straightaway, having a lot of fun out in the middle.

AFG vs SL Match Tips

Sri Lanka are favorites here with Afghanistan struggling to find a way to make a mark on unhelpful tracks.

Match Prediction: Sri Lanka Will Win the Match

SL vs AFG, 1st ODI: Before the bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi, Yamin Ahmadzai, and Gulbadin Naib ripped through Sri Lanka’s batting order, sharing nine wickets between them, Ibrahim Zadran struck 106, setting Afghanistan up for a commanding 294 for 8. Pathum Nissanka, who kept the score moving in the first overs while wickets fell around him, and Wanindu Hasaranga, who was in brilliant batting form even as he ran out of partners, provided some resistance for Sri Lanka. But the seamen from Afghanistan had caused too much damage. Sri Lanka had been thoroughly outplayed at home, so the victory was only 60 runs. They never seemed to be able to handle this huge chase. With only five games remaining in the Super League, Sri Lanka’s loss makes it even less likely that they will automatically qualify for the ODI World Cup next year. 

They currently sit 10th in the standings, with only the top eight qualifying. With 110 points (they are currently seventh) and a large number of games remaining, Afghanistan, on the other hand, make significant progress toward securing a spot in the World Cup.

Afghanistan had established a formidable foundation prior to the quicks’ destruction of Sri Lanka’s top leadership. 

Afghanistan were rarely troubled by Sri Lanka’s seamers on a Pallekele surface with decent pace and carry but little turn, at least in the first 40 overs. Afghanistan had half-century players like Gurbaz, who hit 53 off 55, and Rahmat, who hit 52 off 64, in addition to Ibrahim’s century. From 88 balls, the opening partnership was worth 84;118 out of 141 is the second-wicket stand. They were 202 for 8 at the end of 38 overs.Even though Najibullah Zadran’s 25-ball 42 with a six and five fours sent them flying into the final overs, they weren’t quite able to win. However, 295 was always going to be difficult to hit. Ibrahim’s innings was chanceless, whereas Gurbaz had a little luck, being caught at slip in the fifth over by Dhananjaya de Silva off Kasun Rajitha’s bowling. In the seventh over, he really got into it against Rajitha, crashing him square through the legside off successive deliveries. His first boundary was a sweetly struck drive that went wide of mid-off. 

Gurbaz was more forceful through the powerplay, yet Ibrahim was maybe better through the center overs, finding without risk singles generally around the wicket as he worked his direction scrupulously to a 62-ball fifty. The 24th over marked that milestone; Since the ninth, he had not added to his total of boundaries. Lahiru Kumara had one edge that flew past the goalkeeper when he was on 55, but the rest of the progression to triple digits was pretty smooth as well. He reached the milestone with a swivel-pulled four off Kumara on the 116th delivery he faced shortly after Rahmat, who had also accumulated well through the middle overs, left. In the 42nd over, he holed out against Maheesh Theekshana’s bowling. In the final five overs, Sri Lanka only gave up 31 runs and took five wickets, but they did manage to pull back a little. 

Rajitha was largely responsible for this, as his final three overs only cost 12 runs.However, in the first 45 minutes, Afghanistan had gained too much ground. From the very first over, the response was anxious. In the third over, Nissanka was given lbw but saved by a review. Kusal Mendis attempted to review Ahmadzai’s lbw decision against him in the following over but was unsuccessful. Farooqi bowled Dinesh Chandimal after he hit some nice boundaries in the seventh over. 

In the eleventh, De Silva was bowled by Gulbadin off the inside edge after hitting even better boundaries. Sri Lanka’s score of 75 for 3 was significantly higher than the required rate. When Gulbadin saw Asalanka slipping, the score was 90 for 4. Dasun Shanaka holed out to deep midwicket off the same bowler, making the score 137 for 5. Despite the fact that their required rate never reached unmanageable levels, they just kept losing wickets. Farooqi was bowled out for 85 off 83 balls by Nissanka, who edged him back to his stumps. A Farooqi yorker bowled Dhananjaya Lakshan shortly thereafter. It was a shame because Hasaranga was already going crazy. 

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Hasaranga scored 22 runs in the 31st over, bowled by Mohammad Nabi. He hit a six over long off the first ball, faced a dot, and then hit four consecutive fours through the offside. Afghanistan kept getting wickets, but he kept finding the boundary. By the end, Hasaranga was turning down singles to keep the strike, but the tailenders didn’t do very well with the little balls they had to deal with. At the end of the 38th over, Hasaranga was bowled for 66 off 46, putting an end to Sri Lanka’s innings. Afghanistan had only lost one wicket by that point.

Afghanistan has selected Noor Ahmad, a left-arm wrist spinner, and Gulbadin Naib, an experienced all-rounder, among their 18 players for the three-match One-Day International series against Sri Lanka, which will begin in Kandy this month. 

The team that played Zimbabwe in June of this year included the remaining players selected for the series. Noor hasn’t played an ODI yet, but he has made an impression in T20 leagues, where he has taken 43 wickets. The spinner took a four-for in the main T20I he has played, against Zimbabwe. 

Additionally, he was selected to compete in the UAE-based Asia Cup. Since Afghanistan’s match against Bangladesh in February of this year, former captain Naib has not played an ODI. He also took Hazratullah Zazai’s place in the T20 World Cup squad for the injured Zazai.

ALSO READ: AUS vs ENG, ODI: AUS wins by 72 runs!

“The selectors have included some young faces for the series which is a good sign for us leading into the ICC Cricket World Cup next year. The series is vital for us in terms of our qualification for the mega event next year and I am sure the squad carries enough strength to do well when they get to the field,”

Naseeb Khan, the ACB CEO, was quoted via a press release.

All three ODIs will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, on November 25, 27 and 30 respectively.

Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Riaz Hassan, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia-ur-Rehman