Bangladesh in Asia Cup Super Four

Bangladesh cricket fans are happy with Sri Lanka's victory over Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 6 wickets at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. And thus, Sri Lanka reached the Super Four of the Asia Cup with Bangladesh.

Both Bangladesh and Afghanistan have won two out of three matches from Group 'B' of the Asia Cup. However, Rashid Khan's team was knocked out due to the impact of net run rate. After the Afghans came out to bat first in today's match, Bangladesh's equation was like this - either Sri Lanka had to chase this run and win, or get all out within 101 runs.

After winning the toss in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan put up a challenging total of 169 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Mohammad Nabi scored the highest 60 runs for the team in just 22 balls. In reply, Kusal Mendis stormed. He took away all the limelight with an unbeaten innings of 74 runs off 52 balls. He also ensured the team's victory. Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets with 8 balls in hand. With this, the team remained unbeaten in the group stage.

Although the Sri Lankans lost wickets at regular intervals, Kusal Mendis made the difference in the match. He was well accompanied by Kusal Perera (28) and Kamindu Mendis (26*).

Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat, Afghanistan's two openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sadiqullah Atal made a good start. Gurbaz was especially aggressive. However, he could not extend the innings. He was caught at slip on the first ball of the third over. Before that, he scored 14 runs off 8 balls.

Karim Janat could not take advantage of the three. This top-order batsman scored one run off 3 balls. Thusara bowled the experienced batsman. Afghanistan, who lost their second wicket for 32 runs, were looking at Atal. However, the young opener disappointed. He was bowled by Thushara. Afghanistan scored 45 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in the power play.

Ibrahim Zadran and Darwis Rasuli tried to pull the team together for the fourth wicket. However, Rasuli could not score more than 9 runs in 16 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai failed when he was bowled for a six. This batter, who got life from the first ball of his game, scored 6 runs in 4 balls.

Meanwhile, when Ibrahim, who was holding the team at 24 runs, returned, Afghanistan lost the sixth wicket for 79 runs. When the team was on the verge of losing wickets quickly, Nabi and Rashid Khan came to the rescue. The two added 35 runs for the seventh wicket partnership. Rashid scored 24 off 23 balls.

After Rashid's return, even 150 runs were difficult for Afghanistan. However, Nabi did that difficult task easily. In the last over, Charith Asalanka brought Dunith Vellalegge to bowl. Nabi threw a tornado at the left-arm spinner. He hit 5 sixes in the first 5 balls of the over. A total of 32 runs were scored in that over. Nabi scored 60 runs in 22 balls before being run out with the last ball of the innings. However, Nabi's storm was overshadowed by an impeccable innings by Mendis.