In a thrilling match in Pune, Afghanistan secured their third win of the 2023 Cricket World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka, revitalizing their bid for a coveted spot in the semi-finals.
Chasing a target of 242 runs, Afghanistan showcased a remarkable display of disciplined bowling that restricted Sri Lanka.
The Afghan team ultimately finished their innings at 242-3, with Azmatullah Omarzai contributing an unbeaten 73 runs, and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi posting an impressive 58 not out.
Their unbroken partnership of 111 runs proved pivotal in securing the victory.
This triumph marked a significant milestone for Afghanistan, as they clinched back-to-back victories at the World Cup for the first time. Their previous win came against Pakistan when they triumphed by eight wickets. Notably, Afghanistan had already defeated reigning champions England earlier in the tournament.
The man of the match accolade went to Fazalhaq Farooqi of Afghanistan, who took four crucial wickets from Sri Lanka during the match.
After the match, a jubilant Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of Afghanistan, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, saying, “I am quite happy and proud of the team. Happy for the way we performed in all three departments. The last game gave us a lot of confidence and belief that we can chase any kind of target. It was a very professional performance from the bowlers today.”
Fazalhaq Farooqi, the star of the match, humbly shared his thoughts, saying, “Thanks to the Almighty, it’s nice to have three wins in the tournament. I am happy to have contributed to the team’s victory. I was looking for swing with the new ball, but I didn’t get it, so I just kept it simple, hit the right areas, didn’t want to concede boundaries, and that’s how I succeeded.”
