‘Jeeta hua match haarna koi inse seekhe’ – Fans react as Afghanistan lose against Sri Lanka by 2 runs in Asia Cup 2023

After winning the first match against Bangladesh by five wickets, Sri Lanka locked horns with Afghanistan in the sixth match of the 16th edition of the Asia Cup. The match was played at the Gaddafi Stadium, in Lahore Pakistan on Tuesday, September 5. Sri Lanka won the match by two runs and Kusal Mendis was awarded the Player of the Match for his match-winning batting performance.

If we talk about the fixture, Sri Lanka skipper, Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bat first. The Asian Lions while batting first scored a total of 291 runs with the loss of eight wickets in their 50 overs. The highest scorer for the team was Mendis who slammed 92 runs off 84 balls with six fours and three sixes in his innings.

With four fielders outside the circle, it’s very hard to bowl: Kusal Mendis

The pick of the bowler for Afghanistan was Gulbadin Naib who snapped four wickets in his spell of 10 overs where he conceded 60 runs in his spell. Two wickets were grabbed by an experienced leg-spinner, Rashid Khan in his spell of 10 overs where he conceded 63 runs in his spell. One wicket was bagged by Mujeeb Ur Rehman who conceded 60 runs in his spell of 10 overs.

Afghanistan in order to qualify for the Super 4s, Afghanistan needed to chase the target of 292 runs in 37.2 overs. However, they got bundled out for 289 runs in the 37.4 overs they faced. The highest scorer for the side was their former skipper, Mohammad Nabi who smashed 65 runs from just 32 balls which included six fours and two sixes in his innings.

“We batted well in the first ten overs and then in the middle overs. I did my best today for my today. We were under pressure. The bowlers did a great job. With four fielders outside the circle, it’s very hard to bowl. We did well in all three departments and that’s why we won. Wellalage bowled really well, he got two wickets in an over. Matheesha also bowled well, he’s improving,” Mendis was quoted as saying in the post-match presentation.

Here is how fans reacted:

Well fought afganistan

You played better than Pakistan 😂#AsiaCup2023 #AsiaCup #AsiaCup23 #INDvPAK #INDvsPAK #PAKvIND #pakvsind #AFGvsSL

— Kapil Pratap Singh (@kapil9994) September 5, 2023

Match to Sri Lanka
But heart to Afghanistan

— Vजय Sharमाँ (@vij7227) September 5, 2023

Salute to Afghanistan team pic.twitter.com/N4Z2AxA3sm

— Pawan Shukla (@Shukla8175) September 5, 2023

https://twitter.com/TasneemKhatai1/status/1699104716721119495?s=20

Leave about the result, this match will change perception of the AFG team and needless to say they are not a small team anymore

— Telugu Digi (@TeluguDz) September 5, 2023

https://twitter.com/izishan7/status/1699104899643105586?s=20

What was the last batsman was doing 😄

— Amrit (@Amrit_Uvach) September 5, 2023

Rashid should have taken those singles.

— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) September 5, 2023