Sri Lanka has set a target of 242 runs against Afghanistan in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Monday.

Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne opened the inning, but Karunaratne was dismissed early by Fazalhaq Farooqi for just 15 runs. 

Another opener went on to score 46 runs before getting padded by Azmatullah Omarzai. Nissanka and skipper Kusal Mendis partnership elevated Sri Lanka’s inning to some extent.

Sri Lankans score a below-par 241 all out against Afghanistan in their World Cup match 

Invited to bat, opener Pathum Nissanka (46), Kusal Mendis (39), Sadeera Samarawickrama (36) all got starts but failed to capitalise as Afghan bowlers managed to take wickets regularly.

Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/34) snapped four wickets to emerge as the most successful bowler for Afghanistan. It was a collective effort as Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/38), Azmatullah Omarzai (1/37) Rashid Khan (1/50) all were among wickets.

However, Maheesh Theekshana (29) and Angelo Mathews (23) added a valuable 45 off 42 balls for the eighth wicket to provide them the late momentum.

Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka’s impressive run of successive World Cup fifties came to an end when he was out for 46 against Afghanistan in Pune on Monday.

Nissanka was in sight of his fifth half-century in six matches this tournament when he was caught behind trying to cut Afghanistan paceman Azmatullah Omarzai to end a 60-ball innings including five fours.

His exit left Sri Lanka 84-2 in the 19th over after they had lost the toss.

--Agencies