Cricket World Cup: Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets to improve World Cup semi-final hopes

Afghanistan inflicted yet another upset in the Cricket World Cup as they beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in Pune to claim back-to-back wins for the first time in their tournament history.

Afghanistan's skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (58) and Azmatullah Omarzai (73) shared an unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership worth 111 to lead their side to victory with four-and-a-half overs remaining as they cruised to 242-3.

Afghanistan had a shaky start when opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) was dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka's fourth ball in the first over of Sri Lanka's innings to leave their opponents 0-1.

Rahmat Shah (62) smashed his 25th half-century in ODI cricket as he and Ibrahim Zadran (39) shared a partnership worth 72 runs as Sri Lanka's bowlers toiled hard for another breakthrough.

Earlier, Sri Lanka started well losing only one wicket in the powerplay when Dimuth Karunaratne (15) was trapped lbw by Fazalhaq Farooqi (4-34) after Afghanistan won the toss and chose to field.

However, no Sri Lanka player made it to a half-century as Afghanistan's bowlers took wickets at regular intervals to leave the Tigers 241 all out with three balls remaining of the final over.

Afghanistan continue to impress

Earlier in this tournament Afghanistan caused two major upsets when they beat England and Pakistan. Now, they continue to be underdogs finishing on top against the 1996 champions.

Afghanistan's spinners continued to impress with Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-38) removing Kusal Mendis who slog swept to deep-midwicket but picked out a fielder. It’s the fourth time in four games the Sri Lanka captain has been dismissed playing his favourite shot.

It was fitting too that Rashid Khan (1-50), who was playing his 100th one-day international, also picked up a wicket. In his trademark style, the leg-spinner bowled a delivery that skidded on, hitting the top of middle stump leaving the 25-year-old bowler to wheel off in jubilation.

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Pace bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi though was the pick of the bowlers getting a four-fer as he had Charith Asalanka (22) caught at mid-off and a searing yorker that crashed into the Maheesh Theekshana’s (29) middle stump, leaving Sri Lanka 230-8 by the 49th over.

Farooqi struck again in his following set, this time removing Angelo Mathews (23) with a slower ball which he launched over the long-on boundary but was millimetres short and it landed into the safe hands of Mohammad Nabi.

Dilshan Madushanka (0) was run out in the final over after a direct hit at the stumps from Gurbaz to wrap up Afghanistan’s brilliant bowling performance.

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Sri Lanka struggle against underdogs

Sri Lanka’s skipper Kusal Mendis (39) and Pathum Nissanka (46) shared a third wicket partnership worth 62 runs, but their opener feathered through to replacement wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz and was caught behind four short of a half-century.

Ikram Alikhil, Afghanistan’s usual wicketkeeper, injured his finger in the second over when he tried to reel in a throw at the stumps, but the ball clipped the tip of his gloves and he left the field for treatment.

After dismissing Gurbaz for nought with the fourth ball, Sri Lanka's next wicket came in the 17th over when Ibrahim Zadran (39) dug out a bouncer to deep third and it landed safely with Dimuth Karunaratne.

Rahmat was looking in good touch as he surpassed his half-century but a cross seamer from Kasun Rajitha caught a leading edge to mid-on where Karunaratne completed another catch.

Afghanistan still needed 111 for victory but their captain Hashmatullah and Azmatullah completed the run-chase in style and leading their side to another win.

Afghanistan now move to fifth place in the table with six points whilst Sri Lanka are behind in sixth place with four points. The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals.

'It's good to have three wins'

Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi, Player of the Match:

"It's good we have three wins in the tournament. I was looking for the swing but couldn't find it so I tried to keep it simple and hit the right area.

"We have put hard work in the nets and had a good day's rest. We came back and tried to stick to our skills."

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi:

"I'm quite happy and proud of the team. I thought we performed well in all three departments.

"The Pakistan game gave us a lot of confidence and belief that we can chase down any kind of target. We started well in the fielding and the way we chased was very professional, I’m very happy with that.

"During matches all the staff are working hard especially Jonathan [Trott], he is always positive and gives us a lot of confidence. He had a word with me before the game and it changed my mindset a lot.

“Rashid Khan is a very special player, one of the best in the world.”

‘We needed 280 on this pitch’

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis:

"I think we were a little bit short of runs. We needed 280 or 300 on this pitch. I think the bowlers did well in the first 10 overs, but it was tough after that. It was hard to bowl in the dew."

What's next?

Tuesday's game at the Cricket World Cup sees Pakistan take on Bangladesh in Kolkata, with both sides needing a victory to boost their flagging top-four hopes.

Pakistan have lost four matches in a row - to India, Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa - since starting their tournament with wins over Netherlands and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, sit second-bottom of the standings, having recorded five defeats on the trot - to England, New Zealand, India, South Africa and Netherlands - following a win over Afghanistan in their opening fixture.

If the Tigers lose to Pakistan, their semi-final hopes will be over.

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