Abu Dhabi: Afghanistan knocked five-time champions Sri Lanka out of the Asia Cup with a 91-run win here Monday, the result reflecting the rise of the cricketers from the strife-torn nation and the fall of the once all-conquering islanders.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Afghanistan were all out for 249 in exactly 50 overs on a pitch that looked to be on the slower side, making stroke-making difficult. In reply, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 158 in 41.2 overs with the frontline Afghan bowlers all having an equal share of picking up wickets.
At the the Sheikh Zayed Stadium here, the Afghans made another emphatic statement as they easily restricted the depleted and struggling Sri Lankans.
Spinners Rashid Khan (2/36) and Mohammed Nabi (2/30) bowled brilliantly while pacers Gulbadin Naib (2/29) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/32) also contributed to the Sri Lankan downfall.
By the time their trump card Rashid was introduced, Afghanistan had already taken two wickets, and the leg-spinner delivered immediately rattling Kusal Perera’s (17) castle with a top-spinner.
There were quite a few Sri Lankan batsmen who had starts, but could not force the pace when required. Among them were Upul Tharanga (36), skipper Angelo Mathews (22) and all-rounder Thisara Perera (28).
This was Sri Lanka’s second straight loss in Group B, coming two days after the heavy defeat at the hands of Bangladesh.
Brief scores: Afghanistan 249 all out (Rahmat Shah 72, Thisara Perera 5/55) beat Sri Lanka 158 all out in 41.2 overs (Upul Tharanga 36, Mohammed Nabi 2/30, Rashid Khan 2/36) by 91 runs.