Allround Afghanistan too Strong for Sri Lanka

Led by the sensational Fazal Haq Farooqi (3/11 in 3.3 overs), the bowlers set up the stage on fire to bundle Sri Lanka out for 105/10 in their first inning and set up an excellent foundation for the batters as they chased down the total by 8 wickets with 59 balls to spare.

Skipper Mohammad Nabi won the toss and opted to bowl early on in the evening, the decision that proved right straight away in the first over where the left-arm quick Fazal Haq Farooqi picked up two wickets in his first over to give Afghanistan an excellent start with the ball. 

Naveen followed Fazal with another wicket in the 2nd over for Afghanistan to leave Sri Lanka tattering at 5/3 in 2 overs. Afghanistan bowlers took wickets regularly to reduce Sri Lanka to 105/10 in their first inning. Fazal Haq Farooqi picked 3 wickets for 11 runs in his 3.3 overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/24) and the Skipper Mohammad Nabi (2/14) shared 4 wickets between them whereas Naveen Ul Haq (1/23) bagged 1 wicket to his name. Rashid Khan went wicket less but bowled really well as he conceded only 12 runs in his four overs. 
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai started the batting inning very well as they sat up the Dubai International Cricket Stadium firing by scoring 83 runs in the first 6 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz danced down the track to Wanindu Hasaranga but missed the ball completely and got his stumps rattled on 40. 
Ibrahim Zadran was run-out just a solitary run away off the target, but Hazratullah Zazai ensured to take Afghanistan home by scoring an important unbeaten 37* runs to complete a commanding performance by Afghanistan, as they beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets with a mammoth 9.5 overs to spare. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz won the best catch of the match award, whereas Fazal Haq Farooqi was awarded the Player of the Match award for his match-winning bowling. Afghanistan will face Bangladesh in their 2nd game of the event on Tuesday, 30th August 2022.