30 October,2023 05:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Afghanistan cricket team (Pic: AFP)
ICC World Cup 2023 cricket match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan is underway at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Sri Lanka who batted first in the match has set a target of 242 runs against Afghanistan.
Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne opened the inning, but Karunaratne was dismissed early by Fazalhaq Farooqi for just 15 runs. Another opener went on to score 46 runs before getting padded by Azmatullah Omarzai. Nissanka and skipper Kusal Mendis partnership elevated Sri Lanka's inning to some extent.
After the dismissal of Nissanka, Kusal Mendis scored 39 runs and accompanying him was Sadeera Samarawickrama, who scored 36 runs.
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Afghan's veteran spinner Rashid Khan who is playing his 100th ODI match bagged 1 wicket of the Lankan Lions. He dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva for just 14 runs.
None of the Lankan batsmen were able to score huge runs except Nissanka who scored 46 runs. Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi made the first breakthrough and then the other bowlers continued the streak.
Afghanistan's batsmen will be eyed by the spectators keeping in mind their performance in the last match. Mujeeb Ur Rahman completed his 10 over spell by conceding just 38 runs and had two wickets under his belt. After dismissing Karunaratne, Farooqi struck another wicket of Charith Asalanka for 22 runs. He picked two more wickets of Maheesh Theekshana and Angelo Mathews.
Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews displayed extraordinary skills with the ball in the last game. Will he be able to bowl in the same way to help his team keep alive in the ICC World Cup 2023?
Who will secure the win in today's clash to keep their chances alive in the ICC World Cup 2023 qualification race?
Score Summary:
Pathum Nissanka 46 (60)
Kusal Mendis 39 (50)
Sadeera Samarawickrama 36 (40)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman: Overs bowled (10), runs (38), wickets (2)
Fazalhaq Farooqi: Overs bowled (10), runs (34), wickets (4)
Rashid Khan: Overs bowled (10), runs (50), wickets (1)