That is it from another one-sided affair from the Asia Cup. That is how it has been so far. But India and Hong Kong start their campaign in a few hours from now. So, come back for that. Until then, this isKumar Abhisekh Das bidding you good bye!
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 3rd Match, Group B - Live Cricket Score, Commentary
Can Sri Lanka win it against Afghanistan to stay alive in the 2018 Asia Cup? © AFP
Rahmat Shah, Man of the Match: Wicket was very good to bat. Captain and coach gave me the plan to play straight. This match was very important for us. Very happy to be Man of the Match.
Asghar Afghan, Afghanistan captain: Very important game because Sri Lanka lost their first game. Credit to our batsmen, our openers, they played very well. Every batsman executed plans.
Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka captain: It was a shocking performance by the whole team. Even in the first game, we could not breach 150 but congratulations to Afghanistan. They outplayed us in all the three departments. The whole batting line-up let us down in both the matches.
It is all over! Sri Lanka have been knocked out from Asia Cup 2018. The five times champions have been ousted.First, trounced by Bangladesh and now have been humbled by Afghanistan by 91 runs. Rashid Khan picked up the last wicket to apply the finishing touches. This is Afghanistan's first win over Sri Lanka in ODIs.
Biggest losses for SL in Asia Cup (by runs):
137 vs Ban, Dubai, 2018
91 vs Afg, Abu Dhabi, 2018 *(today)
81 vs Pak, Colombo PSS, 1986
81 vs Ind, Dambulla, 2010
might not be the most exciting match of the tournament.
Mohammad Shahzaddeparts trying to play the reverse sweep. Missed a flatter ball and was given out LBW.Dananjaya strikes.AFG: 57 for 1.
First big chance goes missing!A direct hit at the batter's end and Janat would have been run-out. AFG: 50 for no loss after 11 overs.
Twin bowling changes:Thisara Perera replaces Malinga and Chameera is replaced by Akila Dananjaya.
Another maiden for Chameera!
Deja Vu: Shahzad plays the upper steer and the ball evades the diving deep third man fielder by a few inches to hisleft for a four. And does it again off the next ball only for the ball to land short of the forward dive by the man at deep third. AFG: 28 for no loss after 5 overs.
Tight start for Dushmantha Chameera!Starts with a maiden.
Slashes and slashes hard: Cliched but effective as Shahzad and Afghanistan are away with a four to third man.
The openers- Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah Janat -are out there. Slinga Malinga to uncoil first..
Team news:
SL make three changes. Akila Dananjaya comes back in, as does Shehan Jayasuriya and Dushmantha Chameera. Aponso and Dilruwan miss out along with Suranga Lakmal, who is unfit for the game
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews(c), Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Shahzad(w), Ihsanullah Janat, Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
ICYMI:
What Simmons thinks of his boys and their potential, here's Prakash Govindrasreenivasan with more
What to expect from this contest? Here's our preview
Warming up:
It's not a bad time to play your first game when you know the opposition is in a must-win situation. Following their heavy defeat at the hands of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka now stand on the brink of being knocked out of the Asia Cup. Afghanistan would like that extra bit of pressure on their opponents and would be licking their lips at the prospect of unleashing their spinners in conditions that should suit them well. However, it's not just the bowling that can drive them forward all the time as mentioned by coach Phil Simmons yesterday.
© Cricbuzz
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