Afghanistan hand Sri Lanka seven-wicket defeat

Lahore: (Web Desk) Afghanistan on Monday handed Sri Lanka a seven-wicket defeat in the World Cup match.

Afghanistan chased the 242-run target in 45.2 overs.

Half-centuries by Rahmat Shah, skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Azmatullh Omarzai helped Afghanistan secure an easy victory against Sri Lanka.

Rahmat (62), Shahidi (58 not out), who completed 2000 ODI runs, and Omarzai (73 not out) led the chase from the front.

While bowling first, Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi unleashed his full fury to grab four wickets.

Sri Lanka batters struggled to a below-par 241 all out on an easy-paced pitch in a crucial World Cup match.

While left-armer Farooqi’s (4/34) fiery pace made life difficult for the rivals, Afghanistan spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/38) and Rashid Khan (1/50) created pressure and restricted in-form batters like Pathum Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama.

After being asked to bat first, Sri Lankan batting never got going as Farooqi, Mujeeb, and Rashid, who is playing his 100th ODI, bowled tight lengths and varied pace.