The 30th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 saw
Afghanistan take on
Sri Lanka in a highly-anticipated encounter. The Afghan side emerged victorious in the contest by seven wickets, and their win was marked by phenomenal all-round performance. On the other hand, Sri Lanka failed to impress in any of the departments.
Sri Lanka’s batting struggles
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a shaky start, with their opener
Dimuth Karunaratne falling early for just five runs. However,
Pathum Nissanka and
Kusal Mendis chipped in with brilliant contributions and anchored the Sri Lankan innings. Nissanka added gritty 46 runs, while Mendis scored 39 runs.
Sadeera Samarawickrama also contributed 36 runs, but Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out for 241 in 49.3 overs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi’s heroics
The hero of the day for Afghanistan was undoubtedly
Fazalhaq Farooqi. The Afghan pacer took sensation four-fer, finishing with impressive figures of 4/34. His fiery spells put Sri Lanka on the back foot and prevented them from posting a substantial total, shifting the momentum in Afghanistan’s favour.
Afghanistan’s strong response
Afghanistan’s batting lineup put up a determined effort to chase down the target.
Ibrahim Zadran and
Rahmat Shah provided a solid foundation with scores of 39 and 62, respectively.
Hashmatullah Shahidi (58) and
Azmatullah Omarzai (73) both contributed with valuable half-centuries as well.
Dilshan Madushanka was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking two wickets, but Afghanistan’s batters held their nerve and took the team across the finish line.
Afghanistan managed to reach the target of 242 with ease,
finishing at 242/3 in just 45.2 overs. This victory marked Afghanistan’s third win in the ongoing World Cup. Notably, their other two victories came against cricket powerhouses England and Pakistan.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Comfortable win by
@ACBofficials! Commendable game by the team. Congratulations!
#CWC23 #AfgvSL — Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074)
October 30, 2023
Azmatlullah Omarzai is a proper talent. Fast bowling all rounders are hard to find Protect them if you have them.
#AFGvsL — Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
October 30, 2023
Afghanistan Defeated 1992 Champions Pakistan!!
Afghanistan Defeated 2019 Champions England!!!
Afghanistan Defeated 1996 Champions Sri lanka!!
Bravo
#AfghanAtalan ?????????
??????
#AFGvsL — Wazhma Ayoubi ?? (@WazhmaAyoubi)
October 30, 2023
A
#WorldCup to remember for
#Afghanistan 3rd win in
#ICCWorldCup for the first time.
Congratulations guys
@ACBofficials#AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/GTs2tLA5gg — Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129)
October 30, 2023
Hats off to
@ACBofficials for their relentless spirit and remarkable performance. They've come a long way!
#CWC23 #AFGVSL — Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1)
October 30, 2023
Afghanistan has defeated Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka in this World Cup. The Rise of Afghanistan Cricket.
#AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/gkYXHTTouv — R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan)
October 30, 2023
Fabulous once again from Afghanistan. Their batting has gone to a new high in this World Cup. I would like to believe a significant part is due to long form players like Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi. Delighted for them
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
October 30, 2023
Afghanistan have been fantastic this WC .. Lots of talent but playing with great sense ..
https://t.co/HMV60cTzMX — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
October 30, 2023
AFG used to be fascinating, thrilling, incredible, But are now becoming clinical, organised, consistent. The brilliant & raw individual skills have now found a calming influence and a method ! Pretty sure Trott & Jadeja have played a big role. Top campaign
#AFGvsL @ACBofficials — Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru)
October 30, 2023
First England. Then Pakistan. Now Sri Lanka. Afghanistan have beaten 3 former ODI World Champions in this World Cup. This is a very special team. Their semi-final dream is alive…
#AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/go4NIvWnH5 — Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz)
October 30, 2023
September 2023: Sri Lanka knocked Afghanistan out of Asia Cup in a close match
October 2023: Afghanistan knock Sri Lanka out of World Cup in a one-sided match
The Revenge Comeback is complete on Rashid Khan's 100th ODI ?
#AFGvSL |
#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/WPYfutpgMa — Johns (@JohnyBravo183)
October 30, 2023
???? ? ???! ?
#AfghanAtalan, banking on an incredible all-round performance, beat
@OfficialSLC by 7 wickets to register their third victory at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. ?
Congratulations to the whole Afghan Nation! ?
#CWC23 |
#AFGvSL |
#WarzaMaidanGata pic.twitter.com/KEMcySenBd — Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials)
October 30, 2023
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