Chasing 292 for victory, Afghanistan needed to reach the target in 37.1 overs if they were to overcome the net run rates of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to qualify for the Super Fours stage of the Asia Cup.

At 277-8 after 36 overs, Afghanistan required 15 off the next seven balls. Rashid Khan hit 12 off the next six however, Mujeeb Ur Rahman holed out off the first ball of the 38th over as he tried to clear the long-on fence.

At this point, Afghanistan still had a chance. The net run rate permutations would have allowed them to score 297 (attainable if a six was scored after the totals were tied) by as late as 38.1 overs and still finish above Sri Lanka on the table. However, Fazalhaq Farooqi, the No.11 batter, and Rashid did not seem aware of this permutation. Farooqi bizarrely blocked the next two deliveries and was out lbw blocking the third, handing Sri Lanka a three-run victory and a spot in the Super Fours.

The finish led to a lot of reactions from fans and pundits. Some called out the Afghanistan support staff for not passing on the required message to the players in the middle, while others related Farooqi’s blocks to Mark Boucher’s blocks in the 2003 World Cup match between South Africa and Sri Lanka.

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In that game, Boucher had defended the last ball of the over before the players went off due to rain, assuming that South Africa were ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis par score. Instead, they were only level with the par score and the match was tied, knocking South Africa out of the World Cup.

Aamer Sohail and Marvan Atapattu, commentating on the Sri Lanka-Afghanistan game, pointed out how the Afghanistan batters were unaware of the net run rate calculations. “They were not aware of the situation. A very good opportunity and hard work, I should say, went in vain,” said Sohail.

Atapattu said: “It was sad to see the miscommunication between the players and the support staff and so-called analysts sitting behind computers, not getting the message across to Rashid. A simple mistake like that could cost you the Asia Cup. Cannot do mistakes like that. At this level, it’s not on.”

In a post-match press conference, Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott confirmed that his side were not aware of the exact permutations.

This can’t get more bizarre! It seems apart from the Afghanistan dugout everyone else knew about the 295-run scenario! Commentators were saying it loud and clear! Why did no one from the Afghan dressing room come out with a message? 🤷‍♂️ #AsiaCup #AFGvsSL

— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) September 5, 2023

Farooqi’s Mark Boucher moment

Sri Lanka the winner on both sides of the brain fade in 2003 and 2023#AsiaCup2023 #AFGvsSL

— Kartik Kannan (@kartik_kannan) September 5, 2023

Total mess-up by Afghanistan after coming so close to qualifying. They could have qualified for the Super 4s if they’d got to 295 from 37.4 overs. Instead they defended/tried to defend the last 3 balls #AFGvsSL #AsiaCup2023

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 5, 2023

I cannot believe in this day and age of technology, Afghanistan were unaware that they could still go through after Mujeeb s dismissal! Easy single missed off the 3rd ball. Heartbreaking but congratulations to Srilanka. They hung in there. We have our Top 4 for #AsiaCup2023

— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) September 5, 2023

Heartbreak for Afghanistan. They have missed out on qualifying by the barest of margins. They weren’t aware they could get to 295 in 37.4 overs and still qualify.

Great effort nonetheless. Those late order runs for Sri Lanka proved so crucial.#AFGvsSL #AsiaCup

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) September 5, 2023

20 years apart..but United by miscalculations..
Unpardonable#AFGvsSL pic.twitter.com/4QWoUdblly

— Rahul Kumar (@rahulk_1019) September 5, 2023

Once they didn’t make it in 37.1 – the equation was

Farooqi should have taken a single and Rashid hit a four before 37.5, or a six before 38.0

— Krishna Kumar (@KrishnaKRM) September 5, 2023

Afghanistan must fire their analyst and supporting staff. It was probably the basic information they should have at least passed to the Farooqi and Rashid Khan. Feel sad for them.

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) September 5, 2023

This is major 2003 World Cup SL v South Africa vibes with the end of this match. Gotta feel for Afghanistan.

— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) September 5, 2023