In yet another challenging run-chase, Sri Lankan batters displayed exceptional tactical awareness as they helped their team defeat Afghanistan by four wickets in the opening Super 4 game of the Asia Cup on Saturday.
Despite Rahamanullah Gurbaz’s outstanding 84 off 45 balls, Sri Lanka’s last-ditch bowling effort limited the Afghans to 175 for 6, with only 37 runs coming in the final five overs.
In response, Sri Lanka chased down the mark in 19.1 overs thanks to a number of minor but significant contributions that resolved the situation in their favour. This was Sharjah’s highest run-chase in a T20I.
The Lankans scored 51 runs in the overs between 15 and 18, which changed the outcome much like the huge score in the end.
Rashid Khan was the best bowler for the opposition, but Kusal Mendis (36 off 19 balls) continued where he had left off against Bangladesh the day before by launching into him and hitting him for two consecutive sixes as 17 runs were scored in that over during the Powerplay.
Additionally, Mendis had the most Mujeeb ur Rahaman before to then.
The arc between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg was the location of all three sixes.