The Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi led the side to their third victory against Sri Lanka in the World Cup 2023.
Hashmatullah Shahidi on victory against Sri Lanka
Afghanistan is scheduled to play in the 30th match in the World Cup 2023 against Sri Lanka on October 30 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. Winning the toss, Afghanistan chose to bowl. Pathum Nissanka and Karunaratne opened the innings while Mujeeb opened the bowling attack.
Karunaratne was dismissed by Fazalhaq Farooqi for 15 runs while Pathum Nissanka had an impressive start scoring 46 runs and was dismissed by Azmatullah. Kusal Mendis and Samarawickrama scored 39 and 36 runs before being dismissed by Mujeeb.
The 23-year-old Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Asalanka for 22 runs and Mathews for 23 runs. Theekshana scored 29 runs and helped the side set a score of 241, losing all 10 wickets with three balls remaining in the last over of their innings.
With a target of 242 runs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran opened the innings for Afghanistan while Dilshan Madushanka opened the bowling attack.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was sent out with a duck while Ibrahim Zadran scored 39 runs and was sent out by Dilshan Madushanka. Rahmat Shah had an impressive knock of 62 runs from 74 deliveries and was dismissed by Rajitha.
Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 58* runs while Azmatullah Omarzai scored 73* runs on 63 deliveries. By the end, Afghanistan scored 242 runs on the 46th over losing 3 wickets. Fazalhaq Farooqi was named as the Player of the Match.
While Speaking after the match Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi said, “Quite happy and proud of the team. Happy for the way we performed in all 3 departments. Last game gave us lot of confidence and belief that we can chase any kind of target. It was a very professional performance from the bowlers today.”
“All the coaching and managing staff are working hard and giving us confidence. Especially Jonathan (Trott) he is always positive, before the Pakistan game he told me one word and that changed my mindset a lot.”
“As a captain you should lead from the front and that’s what I am trying to do, I will try to maintain that in the rest of the tournament. Rashid Khan is a special player and the best player in the world.”
“He (Rashid Khan) is a very energetic guy and always keeps the team very lively. I want to congratulate all the Afghanistan supporters and especially want to thank the Indian fans for coming out and supporting us,” he concluded.
Afghanistan will be playing their next World Cup match against Netherlands on November 03, at Ekana Sports City, Lucknow.
