Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 45-ball 84 (4x4, 6x6) was overshadowed by cameos from Bhanuka Rajapaksa (31, 14b, 4x4, 1x6) and Danushka Gunathilaka (33, 20b, 2x4, 2x6) and good death-bowling as Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by four wickets in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup on Saturday.
Chasing 176, Sri Lanka was 82 for two after 10 overs and 127 for four after 15. Needing 49 off 30, Rajapaksa targeted Naveen-ul-Haq in the 16th over, hitting two fours and a six. He enjoyed a slice of luck when he was dropped in the same over. It proved costly.
Earlier, Rashid Khan was brought on in the sixth over with two right-handers at the crease. But Kusal Mendis slog-swept him for two back-to-back sixes as the Islanders raced to 57 for no loss after six overs. However, Mendis was caught off Naveen in the very next over. Pathum Nissanka hung around for a while before falling to Mujeeb ur Rehman (2/30).
