LAHORE: Wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis’s 92-run knock combined with cameos from other batters powered Sri Lanka to a mammoth 291 against Afghanistan in the sixth match of the ongoing ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday.
The defending Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka got off to a flying start after winning the toss with an opening stand of 63 runs between Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne before Gulbadin Naib picked three wickets in quick succession to reduce Sri Lanka to 86-3.
Nissanka played a 41-run knock in 40 balls, featuring six boundaries, while Karunaratne scored 32 off 35, laced with as many boundaries as his opening partner.
Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka then knitted a 102-run partnership in 99 balls for the fourth wicket to recover from the loss of three quick wickets before Rashid Khan removed Asalanka to give Afghanistan a much-needed breakthrough.
Subsequently, Mendis went back to the pavilion, missing out on his hundred in an unfortunate fashion as the ball ricocheted off Rashid’s hands as he spilt Dasun Shanaka’s catch off his own bowling.
Mendis scored a brisk 92 off 84 balls, laced with six boundaries and three sixes.
Shanaka was removed two balls later as Rashid Khan castled him, reducing Sri Lanka to 227-7.
Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana then counter-attacked with a 64-run stand to lift Sri Lanka to finish at 291 in 50 overs.
Wellalage remained unbeaten at 33 off 39, while Maheesh Theekshan was bowled by Gulbadin Naib on the final ball of the innings after scoring 28 off 24.
Naib topped the bowling charts with the figures of 4-60, while Rashid Khan contributed with two wickets.
Afghanistan is set to chase the total in 37 overs to qualify for the Super Four Stage of the Asia Cup.
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