Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup 2018 campaign came to a juddering halt as they lost to Afghanistan by 91 runs in their second Group B game after having lost the tournament opener to Bangladesh.
Captain Angelo Mathews called his team’s ouster ‘shocking and disappointing’.
Chasing 250 after Afghanistan elected to bat and were bowled out for 249 on the last ball of the innings, Sri Lanka could never really get going, right from the first over when they lost opening bat Kusal Mendis for a duck.
After having got to a competitive total, Afghanistan left no stone unturned in the field and affected two run outs while Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan and Gulbadin Naib kept the leash tight on the Sri Lankan batsmen and picked up two wickets each.
Afghan was pleased with the all-round effort. “Credit to our fielders who fielded very well,” he said. “We want to win, show our abilities and talent. When you want to play to win, you play positively. Our spinners, batsmen and bowlers all did well.”
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