Asia Cup 2018: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka: Rahmat Shah Jubilant After His Performance
Published - 18 Sep 2018, 02:29 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:55 PM
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It was a significant performance from Afghanistan boys as they routed Sri Lanka by a considerable margin of 91 runs in their Asia Cup 2018 opener at Abu Dhabi on Monday (September 18). It is one of the greatest days for Afghanistan cricket and players respectively. Rahmat Shah proved to be an asset with the bat as Angelo Mathews was gutted with the heartbreaking loss.
It was a terrific bowling performance by Afghanistan as they skittled out Sri Lanka for a paltry score of 158 runs. In the batting department, they were sensible and posted a competitive 249 runs in their allotted 50 overs.
After batting first, Afghanistan posted a total of 249 runs in 50 overs. After the last match, by no means, Sri Lanka would have thought that they would coast to the target. Yet again they kept losing wickets on a consistent basis. All the Afghan bowlers bowled in the right areas and bagged the wickets at crucial junctures of the game. They never allowed Sri Lanka to force their way back into the game.
The Afghanistan openers began well and shared a 57-run stand between each other. Rahmat was the top scorer for them with a composed 72 off 90 deliveries. He looked in complete control of proceedings.
On both the occasions, the Lankan team has been found wanting after being on the field for the first 50 overs.
Afghanistan outclassed Sri Lanka in all three departments:
In trying conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is not quite an easy job to do. Sri Lanka bowled well in patches and restricting Afghanistan to 249 was a good effort.
However yet again their batters failed miserably and never found themselves in the match. They did well for a brief period. However, Sri Lanka again lost the plot after the wicket of Dhanajaya de Silva.
All the Afghanistan bowlers were superb and kept the Lankans batsmen in the check. Prominent leg-spinner Rashid Khan was quite superb in the end and bagged a couple of wickets.
For Afghanistan Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid, Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib bagged a couple of wickets each.
Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews was very disappointed with the performance. He stated that it was shocking to see them perform like that. It was indeed one of the biggest upsets of Asia Cup.
Now, here is what Man of the Match Rahmat Shah said at the post-match presentation during the third match of the Asia Cup 2018.
“The wicket was very good to bat. Captain and coach gave me the plan to play straight. This match was very important for us. Very happy to be Man of the Match,” Rahmat said.
