• Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan in a thrilling game to secure Super 4 berth at Asia Cup 2023.

  • Kusal Mendis was named Player of the Match for his splendid batting performance.

Twitter reactions: Afghanistan miss Super 4 qualification by a whisker as Sri Lanka hold nerve in a thrilling clash – Asia Cup 2023
Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to qualify for Super 4 in Asia Cup 2023 (Image Source: Twitter)

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In a high-stakes encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium, cricket fans were treated to an absolute thriller as Sri Lanka secured their spot in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023 by the narrowest of margins, defeating Afghanistan by just 2 runs.

Kusal Mendis Porpels Sri Lanka to Competitive Total

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat, setting the stage for an intense showdown. Their batters rose to the occasion, posting a competitive total of 291/8 in their allotted 50 overs. Kusal Mendis was the standout performer, earning accolades on social media for his brilliant knock of 92 runs off 84 balls, which included six fours and three sixes.

Other notable contributions came from Pathum Nissanka (41 runs) and Charith Asalanka (36 runs). The Afghan bowler, Gulbadin Naib, was the pick of the lot, with Twitter users praising his four-wicket haul, despite conceding 60 runs in his 10-over spell.

Also READ: Asia Cup 2023 – Indian captain Rohit Sharma shatters several records in the clash against Nepal

Afghanistan’s Thrilling Chase

The Afghan innings was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. To secure a place in the Super 4 stage, Afghanistan needed to chase down the target in 37.1 overs or less. At one point, it appeared that they were not only on track to win but also to edge out Sri Lanka for the qualification spot.

With the scoreboard reading 200 in just 26 overs and the loss of only four wickets, Afghanistan needed 92 runs in 11.1 overs to secure their Super 4 spot. Mohammad Nabi was the driving force behind this remarkable chase, drawing admiration amongst fans for his explosive batting. However, the match took a dramatic turn when Nabi was dismissed.

Heart-Stopping Moments

As the game progressed, Rashid Khan and Najibullah Zadran played crucial knocks, bringing the game down to the wire. With just three runs needed off the final ball to seal their qualification, the tension reached its peak. Twitter erupted with suspense as Mujeeb Ur Rahman faced the last delivery bowled by Dhananjaya de Silva.

In a heart-stopping moment, Mujeeb holed out, and Sri Lanka clinched victory by a mere two runs. Social media was flooded with reactions, celebrating Sri Lanka’s victory and commiserating with Afghanistan for missing out on the Super 4 stage by the narrowest of margins.

Also READ: Najmul Hossain Shanto ruled out of Asia Cup 2023; Litton Das joins Bangladesh squad for Super 4 round

This thrilling encounter at the Asia Cup 2023 will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most exciting matches in recent cricket history. It showcased the unpredictability and drama that cricket fans cherish, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating the next fixtures in this highly competitive tournament.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

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AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.