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The sixth match of the Asia Cup 2023 saw Afghanistan and Sri Lanka battle against each other in a thrilling encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday (September 5). Although Afghanistan lost the contest and failed to secure a spot in the Super 4 round of the continental event, Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi stole the show with a sensational batting performance and shattered many records in the process.
After losing the toss and being asked to field first, Afghanistan bowlers struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batters. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka shined for the Sri Lankan side, smashing 41 and 92 runs, respectively. On the other hand, Gulbadin Naib impressed with the ball for Afghanistan, claiming a brilliant four-fer for 60 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
Mohammad Nabi becomes first Afghanistan batter to complete 5000 international runs
In reply, Afghanistan needed to chase the target in 37.1 overs to sail to the Super 4 round and looked very much into the race after Nabi smashed quickfire 65 runs off 32 deliveries with a staggering strike rate of 203.12 to shift the momentum in Afghanistan’s favour. In the process, Nabi created history by becoming the first Afghanistan batter to amass 5,000 runs in international cricket.
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It is worth mentioning that Nabi has represented Afghanistan in 259 international matches and has also served as the national side’s captain for a brief period of time, with 21 international fifties and a century to his name. he star-all-rounder reached the fifty-run mark against Sri Lanka in just 24 balls and also became the batter to hit the fastest ODI fifty for his nation.
Fastest ODI fifties for Afghanistan (by balls taken)
- 24 balls – Mohammad Nabi vs SL, Lahore, 2023
- 26 balls – Mujeeb Ur Rahman vs PAK, Colombo, 2023
- 27 balls – Rashid Khan vs IRE, Abu Dhabi, 2021
- 28 balls – Mohammad Nabi vs ZIM, Bulawayo, 2014
- 28 balls – Shafiqullah Shinwari vs IRE, Greater Noida, 2017
Apart from this, the other milestone that Nabi achieved with his fifty against Sri Lanka was superseding India’s Virender Sehwag, compatriot Rashid Khan and Pakistan’s Moin Khan to become the second batter to bat with the highest strike rate in an Asia Cup innings (minimum 30 balls faced) after Pakistan veteran Shahid Afridi.
Highest strike rates in an Asia Cup innings (ODIs)
- 206.66 – Shahid Afridi (PAK) vs BAN, Dambulla, 2010
- 203.12 – Mohammad Nabi (AFG) vs SL, Lahore, 2023
- 180.64 – Moin Khan (PAK) vs SL, Dhaka, 2000
- 178.12 – Rashid Khan (AFG) vs BAN, Abu Dhabi, 2018
- 177.27 – Virender Sehwag (IND) vs Hong Kong, Karachi, 2008
Coming back to the Afghanistan and Sri Lanka match, despite Nabi’s exploit, the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side lost the contest by two runs and were bundled out for 289 in 37.4 overs.
