From being a team that everyone predicted would end up not being in the top four too being a team that is couple of wins away from entering the top four, Afghanistan has come a long way. Their victories against England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have won the hearts of fans, and it will be very exciting to see whether they make it too the semi-finals or not.

Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bowl first, and this proved to be a good decision as Sri Lanka were 41-1 after the first powerplay. Afghanistan’s incredible bowling did not allow the Sri Lankan batsman to cross fifty runs. The Sri Lankan batsman got good starts, but they failed to capitalize and convert them into big scores. Pathum Nissanka was the pick of the batsman for Sri Lanka, scoring 46 runs in 60 deliveries, while Fazhalhaq Farooqi was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, picking up four wickets in an astounding economy of 3.40. 

End of first innings: Sri Lanka 241-10. Pathum Nissanka 46 (60); Kusal Mendis 39 (50); Fazalhaq Farooqi 10-34-1-4; Mujeeb-ur-Rahman 10-38-0-2. 

Afghanistan did not have a great start to their chase, as they lost a wicket in the very first over. However, this was the only setback they would have, as every batsman would score big and contribute to the chase. Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Azmatullah Omarzai scored fifties and chased down the target with five overs to spare. After the match, the Afghanistan players went for a lap of honor around the ground and thanked the players for supporting them. With this win, Afghanistan moved to the fifth position and is a couple of wins away from entering the top four.

See also: Five factors that led to Real Madrid’s comeback win in ELCLASICO.