In a high-stakes encounter on the Gaddafi Stadium, cricket followers had been handled to an absolute thriller as Sri Lanka secured their spot within the Tremendous 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023 by the narrowest of margins, defeating Afghanistan by simply 2 runs.
Kusal Mendis Porpels Sri Lanka to Aggressive Complete
Sri Lanka received the toss and opted to bat, setting the stage for an intense showdown. Their batters rose to the event, posting a aggressive whole of 291/8 of their allotted 50 overs. Kusal Mendis was the standout performer, incomes accolades on social media for his sensible knock of 92 runs off 84 balls, which included six fours and three sixes.
Different notable contributions got here from Pathum Nissanka (41 runs) and Charith Asalanka (36 runs). The Afghan bowler, Gulbadin Naib, was the choose of the lot, with Twitter customers praising his four-wicket haul, regardless of conceding 60 runs in his 10-over spell.
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Afghanistan’s Thrilling Chase
The Afghan innings was nothing in need of a rollercoaster experience. To safe a spot within the Tremendous 4 stage, Afghanistan wanted to chase down the goal in 37.1 overs or much less. At one level, it appeared that they weren’t solely on observe to win but in addition to edge out Sri Lanka for the qualification spot.
With the scoreboard studying 200 in simply 26 overs and the lack of solely 4 wickets, Afghanistan wanted 92 runs in 11.1 overs to safe their Tremendous 4 spot. Mohammad Nabi was the driving power behind this exceptional chase, drawing admiration amongst followers for his explosive batting. Nonetheless, the match took a dramatic flip when Nabi was dismissed.
Coronary heart-Stopping Moments
As the sport progressed, Rashid Khan and Najibullah Zadran performed essential knocks, bringing the sport right down to the wire. With simply three runs wanted off the ultimate ball to seal their qualification, the strain reached its peak. Twitter erupted with suspense as Mujeeb Ur Rahman confronted the final supply bowled by Dhananjaya de Silva.
In a heart-stopping second, Mujeeb holed out, and Sri Lanka clinched victory by a mere two runs. Social media was flooded with reactions, celebrating Sri Lanka’s victory and commiserating with Afghanistan for lacking out on the Tremendous 4 stage by the narrowest of margins.
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This thrilling encounter on the Asia Cup 2023 will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the crucial thrilling matches in latest cricket historical past. It showcased the unpredictability and drama that cricket followers cherish, leaving everybody eagerly anticipating the subsequent fixtures on this extremely aggressive match.
Right here is how Twitter reacted:
A thriller in Lahore 😯
Sri Lanka sneak dwelling by two runs in opposition to a spirited Afghanistan aspect to ebook a Tremendous 4 spot in #AsiaCup2023 👊#AFGvSL | 📝: https://t.co/mGlQ6ex6uJ pic.twitter.com/XDPFbc4jvd
— ICC (@ICC) September 5, 2023
Sri Lanka clinches an exhilarating victory by simply 2 runs and secures the spot within the #AsiaCup2023 tremendous 4 spherical!#LankanLions #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/E223jJZSlG
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 5, 2023
What a recreation! #SLVAFG #AsiaCup2023
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 5, 2023
Effectively performed, Mohammad Nabi 💙#AFGvSL #AsiaCup2023 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/NrlYNB8imZ
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 5, 2023
What a pity . Afghanistan fought so valiantly however being unaware that within the final 3 balls 6 runs would have seen them via they usually selected to dam thinkinthey can not. Reminded of Mark Boucher in 2003 WC.Assist employees should be extra professional lively particularly in such qualification…
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) September 5, 2023
Man oh man! What a recreation in Lahore. Afghanistan might have taken as much as 38.1 overs in the event that they levelled the rating (291) and hit a six to take their whole to 297 nevertheless it appears they weren’t conscious of this reality!
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) September 5, 2023
Qualifying to Tremendous-4 in final 3 Asia Cups:
Group A2018 – IND🇮🇳 & PAK🇵🇰 qualify2022 – IND🇮🇳 & PAK🇵🇰 qualify2023 – IND🇮🇳 & PAK🇵🇰 qualify
Group B2018 – AFG🇦🇫 & BAN🇧🇩 qualify2022 – AFG🇦🇫 & SL🇱🇰 qualify2023 – BAN🇧🇩 & SL🇱🇰 qualify
Group A at all times similar!Group B at all times totally different!
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) September 5, 2023
Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 2 runs to qualify into Tremendous 4.
Coronary heart-break for Afghan boys. pic.twitter.com/q1ZzkcQDBL
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 5, 2023
Rashid Khan was heartbroken after a 2 run defeat in opposition to Sri Lanka.
He gave his greatest ultimately to cross the road, however fell inches brief….!!! pic.twitter.com/iDzfAj2VKn
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 5, 2023
Sri Lanka win a thriller in Lahore!
A 2️⃣-run victory ensures them a spot within the Tremendous Fours as Afghanistan go down combating 🏏#AFGvSL | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/59X1Iswjqh
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 5, 2023
Cricket: A recreation of shut margins 🥲
What a match #AFGvSL#AsiaCup2023
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) September 5, 2023