AFG vs SL: "Did My Best For My Team" - Kusal Mendis After Match-winning Knock In Nail-biter vs Afghanistan

The 28-year-old Sri Lanka National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis won the Player of the Match award for his heroics with the bat in the 6th match of the Asia Cup 2023 against Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan National Cricket Team at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, September 05.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first in the match. They batted quite well and posted a good total of 291/8 on the board. Kusal Mendis was the top performer for his as he scored 92 runs off 84 balls, with 6 fours and 3 sixes.

The Sri Lanka No.3 missed out on a well-deserved ton as he got out in the most unfortunate way possible in the 40th over. Rashid Khan was bowling to Shanaka when Mendis was on the non-striker’s end and the Sri Lanka captain hit the ball straight back to Rashid, who dropped the catch, and the ball went on to hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end where Mendis was short of the crease.

Speaking after winning the Player of the Match award, Kusal Mendis said that he did his best for his side. Kusal Mendis said:

“We batted well in the first ten overs and then in the middle overs. I did my best today for my team. We were under pressure. The bowlers did a great job. With four fielders outside the circle, it’s very hard to bowl.”

Kusal Mendis further lauded Dunith Wellalage for his all-round show and Matheesha Pathirana for making improvements.

“We did well in all three departments and that’s why we won. Wellalage bowled really well, he got two wickets in an over. Matheesha also bowled well, he’s improving.”

Dimuth and Pathum batted really well in the first 10 overs – Kusal Mendis

Speaking during the mid-innings break, Kusal Mendis credited Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka for allowing him to play his natural game. Kusal Mendis elaborated:

“Dimuth and Pathum batted really well in the first 10 overs, that’s why I was able to play my natural game. Me and Asalanka had a good partnership, but unfortunately he got out in the middle overs. Wicket was good to bat. 280-300 is a good total on this pitch. First ten overs with the ball is crucial for us. We will bowl our main bowlers for 40 overs because they need to chase it down quickly for NRR.”

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka won the match by a small margin of 2 runs after the Afghanistan team management made a blunder by not informing their No.11 Fazalhaq Farooqi, that they could have won and qualified for the Super 4 had they got to 295 in 37.4 overs.