It was a clash between two teams that had defeated higher-ranked opponents in their previous outings. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, on four points each after five games in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, would have believed they could remain in the semi-finals race. But riding on a superb all-round display, it was Afghanistan who clinched a seven-wicket win in Pune and added two crucial points to their tally.
Afghanistan’s last encounter with Sri Lanka, less than a month earlier at the Asia Cup, had produced a thriller. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Co had suffered a heartbreaking two-run defeat that day and failed to qualify for the Super Fours after miscalculating how many balls they needed to chase down the total.
On Monday, though, the Afghans left nothing to chance with a clinical performance. Opting to field first, they bowled-out Sri Lanka for 241 runs in 49.3 overs. And with the bat, they showcased great composure once again to finish with 242/3 in 45.2 overs.
The result took Afghanistan, who had stunned England and Pakistan earlier in the tournament, to fifth position on the table. Sri Lanka, who had won their last two games against Netherlands and England after a hat-trick of defeats, slipped to the sixth spot.
Chasing a sizeable target against Pakistan in their last match, Afghanistan had batted with incredible maturity to show the world how far they’ve come. Against Sri Lanka, there was more of the same on display.
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