AFG vs SL: "Afghanistan Team Analyst Is Getting Fired" - Fans React As Sri Lanka Qualify For Super 4 By Barest of Margins

Fans on Twitter reacted after the Sri Lanka Cricket Team thumped Afghanistan by just 2 runs in the Asia Cup 2023 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The Dasun Shanaka-led qualified for the Super Four stage by the barest of margins as miscommunication from Afghanistan saw them through. 

Opting to bat first, Dimuth Karunaratne (32) and Pathum Nissanka (41) played aggressive cricket in the powerplay and added 63 runs for the opening partnership. However, after that Sri Lanka lost three quick wickets and were reduced to 86/3. 

Kusal Mendis (92) and Charith Asalanka (36) brought Sri Lanka back into the game but Rashid Khan pulled things back and left Sri Lanka tottering at 227/7. There was a twist in the tale again as Maheesh Theekshana (28) and Dunith Wellalage (33*) struck some lusty blows in the end and helped their team post 291 runs on the board. 

To qualify, Afghanistan needed to chase the target in 37.1 overs. They lost wickets at the start and were tumbling at 50/3. Hashmatullah Shahidi (59) along with Rahmat Shah (45) brought Afghanistan back into the game but a real blitz came from Mohammad Nabi. 

Mohammad Nabi scored 65 runs off just 32 balls and brought Afghanistan back into the game. Karim Janat (22), Najibullah Zadran (17) and Rashid Khan (27*) struck some hard hits in the end to keep their hopes alive. But they didn’t reach the target in 37.1 overs. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led even after playing 37.1 overs had a chance to qualify as they needed to hit 6 runs in the next three balls but they weren’t aware. 

Afghanistan lost the game by the margin of just 2 runs and their hopes to qualify for the playoffs shattered. Dhananjaya de Silva held his nerves in the end and picked two wickets to bundle out Afghanistan for 289 runs. 

AFG vs SL: X Reacts As Afghanistan makes an error in the end to hamper their chances 

As Sri Lanka won the game and qualified for the Super Four stage by the barest of margins, fans on X reacted to it. They lashed out at the Afghanistan team management for not being aware of the game situation. Few also lauded both the teams for staggering play. Here are some of the reactions:

Feeling Sad for @ACBofficials
Love the way they fought till end.#AFGvsSL #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/YL0JnNXPQm

— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) September 5, 2023

What a game!!!
Koi analysts ka analysis Karo…how did they not know the equation? #SLvAFG #AsiaCup

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 5, 2023

The importance of having an experienced analyst once again proved to be decisive in today’s outcome where AFG felt their chances are over after 37.1 overs but even had they made 295 in 37.4 , they would have still made it to the next stage. Hard luck #AsiaCup2023

— Prasanna (@prasannalara) September 5, 2023

Today's match between AFG & SL is just another example of how game awareness from cricketers themselves isn't as common as many think.

This year's entire IPL was a testimony to that.

— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) September 5, 2023

Afghanistan are playing 2 games in Chennai , 2 in Delhi, 1 in Lucknow and 1 in Pune.

If they can emulate this sort of batting performance in 50 percent of their WC games, we are in for some serious entertainment. #SLvAFG #AsiaCup2023 #ICCWorldCup2023

— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) September 5, 2023

Rashid Khan and Afghanistan don't know the equation, they think they are out of the tournament. It's so sad ? #AsiaCup2023

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) September 5, 2023

Srilanka ne match jeeta or Afghanistan ne dil ❤️. Best game of this Asia cup by far. #AsiaCup2023

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 5, 2023

Can't believe an analyst's CV which includes Rajasthan Royals, assistant coach of Australia A missed this out.

— Karthik Raj (@kartcric) September 5, 2023

What a pity . Afghanistan fought so valiantly but being unaware that in the last 3 balls 6 runs would have seen them through and they chose to block thinkinthey cannot. Reminded of Mark Boucher in 2003 WC.
Support staff need to be more pro active especially in such qualification…

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) September 5, 2023

Afghanistan did a South Africa from 2003 World Cup.

They had no clue about 295/37.4.

100% sure of this.

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) September 5, 2023

What's the use of an analyst when simple equation can't be relayed to the players

— Karthik Raj (@kartcric) September 5, 2023

I think the Afghanistan team analyst is getting fired after that game??‍♂️ #AFGvsSL #AsiaCup

— Haroon (@hazharoon) September 5, 2023

I cannot believe in this day and age of technology, Afghanistan were unaware that they could still go through after Mujeeb s dismissal! Easy single missed off the 3rd ball. Heartbreaking but congratulations to Srilanka. They hung in there. We have our Top 4 for #AsiaCup2023

— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) September 5, 2023