Dhananjaya, Hasaranga finish Afghanistan’s semifinal hopes

Powered through Dhananjaya de Silva’s first fifty at a global cup, Sri Lanka registered a six-wicket win towards Afghanistan within the Team 1 Tremendous 12 fixture at Gabba. With two issues courtesy of 2 washouts in 4 video games, Afghanistan at the moment are out of competition for a last 4 spot on the 2022 T20 Global Cup. Via the tip of the competition, Sri Lanka stood 3rd within the issues desk beneath New Zealand and Australia, with a NRR (-0.46) worse than England’s (+0.24).

Chasing 144, Sri Lanka appeared at the backfoot having misplaced each the openers to Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan earlier than crossing the fifty mark and with the pitch providing assist to the spinners.

Steadiness was once restored for the Asian champions when Dhananjaya stitched in combination a 54-run stand for the 3rd wicket with Charith Asalanka (19). Rashid would come to Afghanistan’s rescue as soon as once more as Asalanka was once stuck at lengthy on seeking to up the run fee.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa (18) added some other 42 runs with Sri Lanka’s quantity 3 to all however end the sport earlier than falling to the opposite Afghanistan wicket taker Mujeeb with simply two extra had to spherical up the chase. Dhananjaya carved Mujeeb over additional quilt for 4 to wrap up the should win sport in Brisbane.

Hasaranga shifts the pendulum

Previous, after successful the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan had were given off to a forged get started within the powerplay, courtesy of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (28 off 24) and Usman Ghani (27 off 27) including 42 runs within the first six overs.

It was once the primary time in 5 makes an attempt at this international cup {that a} staff had remained wicketless in Powerplay at Gabba. On the other hand, Lahiru Kumara would blank Gurbaz first ball after the sector restrictions had been lifted to supply Sri Lanka, and opening. One who event’s main wicket taker, Wanindu Hasaranga didn’t fail to spot.

The 25-year-old choked the glide of runs for the Afghans, conceding best 13 in his spell of 4 overs, selecting a 3fer to take his tally to 13 on the Global Cup.

Hasaranga, who was once additionally the main wicket taker in ultimate yr’s event in UAE with 16 scalps, ensured Afghanistan didn’t succeed in the 150 mark, through selecting two wickets within the ultimate over. With each Rashid and Mujeeb keen to return down the monitor and opt for giant runs, the leggie used the jump off the outside and pitched it quick to scrub the previous and make allowance Mendis to stump the latter.