The Resurgence Of Afghan Cricket: Super 4 Aspirations

Afghanistan's qualification for the Super 4 stage of the 2023 Asia Cup depended on the outcome of their final Group A game against Sri Lanka on September 5, 2023. Afghanistan needed to beat Sri Lanka by approximately 70 runs or chase in approximately 36 overs to qualify. If Afghanistan won but failed to meet these requirements, Sri Lanka would have qualified courtesy of a better net run rate (NRR).

Ultimately, Sri Lanka won the game by 2 runs, securing their place in the Super 4 stage of the tournament.

Afghanistan's qualification scenario for the Asia Cup Super 4s

Afghanistan's qualification for the Asia Cup Super 4s rested on the outcome of their final Group A game against Sri Lanka on 5 September 2023.

Bangladesh had already qualified for the Super 4s, and Sri Lanka were in a comfortable position to join them, having beaten Bangladesh in their Asia Cup opener by five wickets.

For Afghanistan to qualify, they needed to beat Sri Lanka by approximately 70 runs or chase in approximately 36 overs. If Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka but failed to improve their net run rate (NRR), Sri Lanka would still qualify courtesy of a better NRR.

In the event, Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 2 runs, and it was Sri Lanka who advanced to the Super 4s.

The Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka faced off in a thrilling Asia Cup 2023 match on September 5, 2023, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The game was a do-or-die encounter for Afghanistan, who needed a big win to qualify for the Super Four stage of the tournament.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. They set Afghanistan a target of 292, with Kusal Mendis leading the way with a score of 92. Afghanistan's bowling attack included Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Rashid Khan. Despite the high target, Afghanistan remained in the game until the final over, where they ultimately fell short by just two runs.

Afghanistan's chase was built on a strong foundation laid by Rahmat Shah, who scored 45, and a record-breaking knock by Mohammad Nabi, who blasted the fastest ODI fifty for Afghanistan, scoring 65 off just 32 deliveries. Rashid Khan and Najibullah Zadran provided late fireworks, but it wasn't quite enough in the end. Afghanistan needed three runs off the final delivery to win and secure their spot in the Super Four, but Mujeeb holed out at long on, resulting in a heart-breaking loss.

With this victory, Sri Lanka advanced to the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, joining Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Afghanistan, despite their valiant effort, were eliminated from the tournament.

Bangladesh's qualification

Bangladesh's victory over Afghanistan was largely thanks to a 194-run partnership between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored 112 and 104 respectively. The fast-bowling trio of Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud also shared eight wickets between them to ensure a massive win for the Tigers.

Sri Lanka's qualification

Sri Lanka's win over Afghanistan meant that they, along with India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, had qualified for the Super 4s. Sri Lanka's win also meant that Afghanistan failed to qualify.

Afghanistan's net run rate

Afghanistan's qualification for the Super 4s of the 2023 Asia Cup depended on their net run rate (NRR) in the final Group A game against Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan needed to chase down a target of 292 runs in 37.1 overs to edge out Sri Lanka on net run rate and qualify for the Super 4s. If Afghanistan had achieved this, Sri Lanka's NRR would have fallen to -0.108, while Afghanistan's NRR would have risen from -1.780 to -0.089.

However, Afghanistan fell short of the target, getting bowled out for 289 in 37.4 overs. At the end of the 37th over, Afghanistan had scored 289 for 8, needing three runs off one ball to win and better Sri Lanka's NRR. Unfortunately, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was caught on the long-on boundary, and Afghanistan lost their chance.

It was later discovered that Afghanistan could have still qualified for the Super 4s if they had reached 293 runs after 37.2 overs, 294 runs after 37.3 overs, 295 runs after 37.5 overs, 296 runs after 38 overs, or 297 runs after 38.1 overs.

Afghanistan's head coach, Jonathan Trott, expressed disappointment that the match officials had not informed his team about these conditions. He stated that they were only told that they needed to win within 37.1 overs, and that the specific NRR permutations were not communicated to them.

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