Afghanistan Stays in World Cup Semi-Final Contention with Victory Over Sri Lanka
Afghanistan kept their hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals alive with a convincing seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka.
Fazal Farooqi’s impressive performance, taking 4-34, played a crucial role in bowling Sri Lanka out for 241. Rahmat Shah added 62 runs to put Afghanistan on track during their chase.
Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai formed an unbroken 111-run partnership, securing the victory with 28 balls to spare in Pune. This win elevates Afghanistan to within two points of fourth-placed Australia.
Sri Lanka had a solid start, reaching 134-2 after being put in to bat, but a middle-order collapse saw them slump to 185-7. Angelo Matthews and Maheesh Theekshana added 45 runs for the eighth wicket. However, Farooqi’s impressive performance resulted in Sri Lanka getting bowled out with just three balls left.
Afghanistan faced an early setback when Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka. However, the batting side showed composure as Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat added 73 runs for the second wicket. When Rahmat was dismissed with 111 runs still needed, captain Hashmatullah and Azmatullah took charge, calmly achieving the required runs.
With three games remaining, Afghanistan has risen to the fifth position and remains a contender for a top-four finish, even though their net run rate lags behind the teams above them.
Afghanistan, once considered an underdog, is no longer a surprise. Wins over England and Pakistan demonstrate the growth of the Afghan team, making their match against another World Cup-winning nation, Sri Lanka, a 50-50 contest.
While spin bowling has always been Afghanistan’s forte, the team now boasts a more versatile skill set. Emerging seamers like Farooqi, aged 23, have the potential to make a significant impact at the highest level.
In the batting department, Afghanistan’s lineup displayed its ability to navigate challenging chases. Rahmat showcased his class with a half-century, Hashmatullah remained composed, and Azmatullah contributed with controlled aggression.
While the semi-finals might be a stretch, Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket is undeniable, and those who still consider them minnows are not paying attention.
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