Afghanistan continued its shocking performance with a win over Sri Lanka in Match 30 of the ICC World Cup 2023 played at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
Batting first, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 241 runs in 49.3 overs. Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka was the highest scorer with 46 runs followed by Kusal Mendis 39 runs and Sadeera Samarawickrama 36 runs. No other batsmen could score an innings that might have posted a tough total for Afghanistan team. Only partnership between Pathum Nissanka 39(49), Kusal Mendis(C) 21(28) was the highest 62(77) from Sri Lankan side.
Afghanistan bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/34) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/38) were key in making Sri Lanka score low.
Chasing a total of 242 runs Afgahnistan batsmen Rahmat Shah (62 runs), Hashmatullah Shahidi (58 runs) and Azmatullah Omarzai (73 runs) guided the team to a win against Sri Lanka in just 45.2 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Azmatullah Omarzai 73 (63) and Hashmatullah Shahidi 33 (41) had a partnership of 111(104) which played a key role in their team’s win.
Though Sri Lankan bowlers Dilshan Madushanka (2/48) and Kasun Rajitha (1/48) tried to pull out Sri Lanka’s loss, no other bowlers were able to perform to their best.
With this loss against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka’s chances of reaching Semi-Finals has fell in dilemma. Sri Lanka are now in the 6th spot of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Tournament Points Table. On the other hand, Afghanistan is in 5th Spot and have better chances of reaching semis when compared to Sri Lanka.
India is still on the top with all wins followed by South Africa wih a single loss. New Zealand and Australia are in 3rd and 4th spots with 4 wins and 2 losses each.
Here is the Complete and Latest Updated ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Points Table
| SPOT | TEAM | MATCHES | WON | LOST | NRR | PTS | ||||
| 1 | India | 9 | 9 | 0 | 2.57 | 18 | ||||
| 2 | South Africa | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1.38 | 12 | ||||
| 4 | Australia | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0.84 | 14 | ||||
| 3 | New Zealand | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0.74 | 10 | ||||
| 5 | Pakistan | 9 | 4 | 5 | -0.20 | 8 | ||||
| 6 | Afghanistan | 9 | 4 | 4 | -0.34 | 8 | ||||
| 7 | England | 9 | 3 | 6 | -0.57 | 6 | ||||
| 8 | Bangladesh | 9 | 2 | 7 | -1.09 | 4 | ||||
| 9 | Sri Lanka | 9 | 2 | 7 | -1.42 | 4 | ||||
| 10 | Netherlands | 9 | 2 | 7 | -1.83 | 4 | ||||