Afghanistan made an error in net run rate calculations which ultimately proved costly as they lost a nail-biting thriller against Sri Lanka in Lahore.

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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.

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AfghanistanSri Lanka Asia CupAsia CupMatch CoverageSeries Editorial