Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by four wickets in the first match of Super-4 in the Asia Cup 2022. Batting first after losing the toss, Afghanistan scored 175 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka achieved the target in 19.1 overs for the loss of six wickets.

With this victory, Sri Lanka also avenged the previous defeat to Afghanistan. In the group stage, both the teams were in the same group (Group-B). Then Afghanistan easily beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets. Now Sri Lanka has defeated Afghanistan in Super-4. Now on September 6, the Sri Lankan team will face India. On the other hand, Afghanistan will face Pakistan on September 7.

With the victory over Afghanistan, Sri Lanka has also made a record in Sharjah. Sri Lanka have chased the biggest score in T20 International in Sharjah. Earlier in the last match against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka had chased the biggest score in T20 at Dubai ground. Apart from this, Sri Lanka also chased the biggest score in T20 International against Afghanistan. Earlier this year Ireland's team had chased 169 against Afghanistan in Belfast.

Batting first, Afghanistan got off to a great start. Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz added 46 runs for the first wicket. Jazai got out after scoring 13 runs. After this, Gurbaz along with Ibrahim Zadran added 93 runs for the second wicket. Gurbaz played an aggressive innings. He was dismissed for 84 runs in 45 balls. Gurbaz hit four fours and six sixes in his innings. Ibrahim was dismissed for 40 runs in 38 balls with the help of two fours and a six.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Najibullah Zadran was run out after scoring 17 runs in 10 balls. At the same time, captain Mohammad Nabi also could not do anything special and could score one run. Rashid Khan was dismissed after scoring nine runs in seven balls. Karim Janat remained not out. Dilshan Madushanka took the highest two wickets for Sri Lanka. At the same time, Mahesh Teekshna and Asitha Fernando got one wicket each.

Chasing the target of 176 runs, the Sri Lankan team also got a good start. Pathum Nisanka and Kusal Mendis added 62 runs for the first wicket. Mendis was dismissed for 35 runs in 19 balls with the help of two fours and three sixes. At the same time, Pathum Nisanka also made 35 runs in 28 balls with the help of three fours and a six. Charith Aslanka failed in the third consecutive match and scored eight runs and was clean bowled by Nabi. Danushka Gunatilaka along with captain Dasun Shanaka tried to handle the innings.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa

However, in order to increase the run rate, Shanaka was caught by Najibullah Zadran off Mujeeb ur Rahman. Gunatilaka hit some good shots but was clean bowled by Rashid Khan after scoring 33 runs in 20 balls. Gunatilaka hit two fours and two sixes in his innings. Bhanuka Rajapaksa played a brilliant innings in the end and took Sri Lanka to the threshold of victory. He scored 31 runs in 14 balls with the help of one six and four fours. 

In the end, Vanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne together led Sri Lanka to victory. Hasaranga remained unbeaten on 16 runs in nine balls with the help of three fours and Karunaratne remained unbeaten on five with the help of a four. Mujeeb ur Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq took two wickets each for Afghanistan. At the same time, Rashid Khan and captain Nabi got one wicket each.