Asia Cup 2023: Top 10 Memes from SL vs AFG, Match 6

Kasun Rajitha. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan locked horns in the last fixture of Group B on Tuesday, September 5, in Lahore. Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men needed to win comprehensively against the Lankan Lions to get to the Super Fours. Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka got their team off to a great start as they forged a 63-run partnership.

However, from 63/0, Sri Lanka slumped to 86/3, as Gulbadin Naib did substantial damage. Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka played really well and formed a 102-run partnership. After the latter departed for 36, Kusal carried on to score 92 runs off 84 balls. He played the Afghan spinners with consummate ease. His knock ended on an unfortunate note as he was run out at the non-striker’s end when Dasun Shanaka’s straight hit ricocheted off Rashid Khan’s hand and hit the stumps.

The defending champions lost three wickets for six runs at one stage to find themselves at 227/7 in 39.3 overs. Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana stitched a crucial 64-run partnership to take Sri Lanka to a score of 291. Afghanistan had to chase this total in 37.1 overs to make it to the Super Fours. Their hopes would have been pinned on the hard-hitting Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

The wicketkeeper-batter was given a lifeline in the first over as Sadeera Samarawickrama dropped a tough chance at point. However, Gurbaz couldn’t make this opportunity count as he was dismissed in the third over when he tried to hit Kasun Rajitha over his head but only managed to get a thick outside edge through to Kusal behind the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran also didn’t last long. However, Rahmat Shah and Gulbadin Naib took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Hashmatullah came in at the crease and continued from where Naib left. After Rahmat was dismissed for a well-compiled 40-ball 45, Mohammad Nabi came out to the middle with Afghanistan needing a special knock from their talismanic all-rounder. The 38-year-old was at his best as he bludgeoned his way to a 32-ball 65 with the help of six fours and five sixes.

During this innings, Nabi registered the fastest fifty for an Afghan batter in ODIs in terms of balls faced (24). Shahidi and Nabi combined to form an 80-run partnership off just 47 balls. After Nabi’s dismissal, Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, and Rashid Khan played entertaining cameos. However, they were eventually bowled out for 289, losing by two runs.

Afghanistan made a huge error in the end as they had a chance to get their Net Run Rate past that of Sri Lanka by winning the match with three balls to spare and one wicket in hand. However, the message might not have been conveyed to No. 11 batter Fazalhaq Farooqi, who defended two balls and was trapped ahead of the stumps off the third ball to leave Rashid stranded on 27 off 16 balls at the non-striker’s end. With this win, Sri Lanka made it to the Super Fours while Afghanistan will have to take the flight back home.

Here are the top 10 memes of the game:

Afghanistan batters going back in dressing room and realising pic.twitter.com/gXOZs03iuu

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) September 5, 2023

I live to see these kind of melodramatic cricket matches 🥹 #AFGvsSL pic.twitter.com/QwHx1TNII6

— गाभरु🚩 (@thoda_rude_hu) September 5, 2023

I think afganistan didn’t watched that mi vs RR match

— Praveen (@praveen1234_) September 5, 2023

Where’s a walkie talkie in the dugout when you need it? pic.twitter.com/LUhfsIq2Cg

— Manya (@CSKian716) September 5, 2023

This game between SL vs AFG reminded me of that MI vs RR game pure madness crazy scenes never seen Rahul dravid that angry. pic.twitter.com/jnMBPfQxVb

— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) September 5, 2023

This Farooqi manages to lose it for Afghanistan from Winning situations be it bowling or batting 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/crExrqTVrN

— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) September 5, 2023

Anna ko coach hire karenge ab jab unhe pata chalega ki ab bhi option the. https://t.co/d3k1P3EEh4

— viroot (@topgun_mav11) September 5, 2023

Srilanka right now : pic.twitter.com/L7P6OYhU1k

— cricket wala ladka (@cricketwalaldka) September 5, 2023

Feel for Afghanistan cricket fans. So many close losses. I would have cried. Although I still cry thanks to BCCI.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) September 5, 2023

Rashid Khan trying to figure out how to qualify pic.twitter.com/11NMRG129o

— Cricket & Stuff (@cricketandstuff) September 5, 2023

All Farooqi had to do was to give a strike to Rashid Khan and he might have pulled off like Aditya Tare. #AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/gqoWhDR7KV

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) September 5, 2023