SL vs AFG: Rajapaksa outclasses Gurbaz to seal a fabulous victory for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka team in action [PC: Twitter]

The seventh match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 witnessed Sri Lanka edge past Afghanistan by four wickets in Sharjah today. The hosts opened their account in the Super Four points table with this thumping victory. 

Gurbaz's breathtaking knock powers Afghanistan to a competitive total

Rahmanullah Gurbaz in action [PC: Twitter]

After being invited to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a flier, thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz's fireworks in the powerplay. 

Continuing his glorious form, Gurbaz stroked his way through to a blistering 45-ball 84, ensuring a solid total for Afghanistan. On a pitch where his colleagues found it tough to accelerate, Gurbaz looked class apart, as his majestic knock was glittered with four boundaries and six humongous sixes. 

Among other Afghan batters, Ibrahim Zadran contributed 40 runs, while Najibullah Zadran played a useful cameo of 17 runs. Dilshan Madhushanka was Sri Lanka's most impressive bowler, scalping two wickets for 37 runs. 

Rajapaksa's cameo helps Sri Lanka hunt down the target

In reply, Sri Lanka also started their innings on an extraordinary note, with Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka adding 62 runs off just 39 balls for the first wicket. Naveen-ul-Haq drew the first blood for Afghanistan, dismissing Mendis for 36 runs. 

Soon, Mujeeb and Nabi removed Nissanka and Asalanka, respectively, to wreak havoc in the hosts' camp. Things went further downhill for Sri Lanka as Najibullah grabbed a stunner to ensure Shanaka's departure off Mujeeb in the 15th over. 

Bhanuka Rajapaksa in action [PC: Twitter]

However, the Afghans' happiness proved to be short-lived, courtesy of a tremendous cameo from Bhanuka Rajapaksa. The swashbuckling southpaw counterattacked to contribute handy 31 runs off just 14 balls and seize the day for Sri Lanka. 

Mujeeb and Naveen picked two wickets apiece, while the remaining two wickets were shared equally by Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi. 

Brief Scores

Afghanistan: 175/6 (20)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 84 (45), Ibrahim Zadran 40 (38);
Dilshan Madhushanka 2/37 (4), Maheesh Theekshana 1/29 (4)

Sri Lanka: 179/6 (19.1)
Kusal Mendis 36 (19), Pathum Nissanka 35 (28);
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/30, Naveen-ul-Haq 2/40 (4)

Sri Lanka won by four wickets. 

Also Read: Twitter lavishes praise on Rahmanullah Gurbaz for his sensational knock