Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 3 runs to qualify for the Super 4s stage of the Asia Cup 2023. After winning the toss, the Lankans got off to a solid start with a 63-run opening partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Dithum Karunaratne in 10.2 overs.
However, after Nissanka's wicket, the Lankans lost Samarawickrama quickly but Kusal Mendis steadied the ship with a crucial 92-run knock. Mendis' heroics combined with a late flurry by Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theeksha, helped the Island Nation post 293 runs in 50 overs.
In the second innings, Afghanistan needed to chase the target in 37.1 overs to qualify for the Super 4s stage but failed as Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman miscalculated leading to a heartbreaking loss. The Afghans were very close thanks to powerful cameos by Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan.
