ICC World Cup 2019: Match 7, Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka – DLS targets for Afghanistan

Sri Lanka’s poor show in the World Cup 2019 continued against Afghanistan as they slumped to 182/8 in 33 overs before the arrival of the rain. The Lankans made an impressive start after losing the toss under overcast conditions. They raced to 50 in only 4.5 overs as Kusal Perera and Dimuth Karunaratne made most of the wayward bowling from the Afghanistan pacers. The duo added 92 for the first wicket in 13.1 overs while Perera shared a 52-run stand with Lahiru Thirimanne for the 2nd wicket.

From 144/1 in the 22nd over, the Lankans succumbed to 159/6 by 26th over with Mohammad Nabi claiming his maiden 4-wicket haul in ODI Cricket World Cup including three wickets in the same over. Pacer Hamid Hassan, who conceded a lot of runs with the new ball, made an impact in his 2nd spell with consistent bowling. Keeper-batsman Kusal Perera batted 81 deliveries for his 78 with eight boundaries. He eventually got out in the 33rd over trying reverse-sweep Rashid Khan.

The rain that began at approx. 1:07 PM local time has ensured there will be no possibility of full game as overs began to be deducted from 2:30 PM local time. The Sri Lankan players might be the happier of the two sides as Afghans chase will start at an Required Run Rate of at least five runs. If not for the rain, Sri Lanka might have been bundled out under 200 and Afghanistan required rate would have been under four. A minimum of 10 runs will be reduced from Sri Lanka’s total in DLS even if Afghanistan come out to for a 45-over chase.

Losing eight wickets in only 33 overs could be costing them in the end but the early attack by their openers did ensure they have something to play for. If the Sri Lankans don’t bat again, the Afghanistan side would be chasing 171 in 33 overs. They will need 126 to win if only 20 overs of play is possible; the minimum requirement for a completed One Day International. There is no reserve day for the league stage games in the ongoing World Cup.

(Source: DLS Edition 2018 Source 3.0)