Image Source- AFP
Afghanistan scored a resounding victory in a match
that was postponed due to rain in Guwahati thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz and
Rahmat Shah. Their heroics overshadowed Kusal Mendis’ amazing 158.
Gurbaz and Rahmat batted solidly and were unbeaten on
53 and 51, respectively, when rain stopped play in the 21st over. This was
after Afghanistan lost opener Ibrahim Zadran early in their chase of 295.
Afghanistan’s amended aim was 257 runs in 42 overs after they were forced to
forfeit an hour of play due to bad weather. They needed 139 runs from 21.1
overs when play resumed.
As Gurbaz and Rahmat lifted the ante to extend their
second-wicket stand to a game-changing 212, the break appeared to work in
Afghanistan’s favour. Rahmat blasted an 82-ball 93 with ten fours and three
sixes, while Gurbaz smacked 119 off 92 balls with nine sixes and eight fours.
Afghanistan only required 26 runs from 10 overs when both hitters were retired
out in the 32nd over. The formalities were finished by Azmatullah Omarzai and
Najibullah Zadran.
Mendis led Sri Lanka to a respectable score after they
were sent in thanks to his stroke-filled hundred. Mendis took control with his
87-ball innings, smashing 19 fours and nine sixes after Dimuth Karunaratne and
Pathum Nissanka were dismissed in the first 13 overs. Before withdrawing in the
30th over, he and Sadeera Samarawickrama shared a partnership of 158 runs along
the road. However, when Mendis left, Afghanistan rallied thanks to Mohammad
Nabi’s four-wicket haul. Only 54 runs were added by Sri Lanka from 240 for 2
when they were dismissed in the 47th over.