Twitter Reactions: Afghanistan crush Sri Lanka to clinch Emerging Asia Cup 2024

Afghanistan created history by beating Sri Lanka by seven wickets to win the Emerging Asia Cup 2024. The Darwish Rasooli-led side had a phenomenal campaign, including a victory over India in the semi-finals. They lost to Hong Kong in the group stage but played some fierce cricket, leading them to win the title at Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman.

Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 133 on the board. Their top-order collapsed, with all of their top four batters scoring in single digits as they were reduced to 15/4 at one stage. Pawan Rathnayake and Sahan Arachchige then took control of the ship, helping Sri Lanka post a respectable total.

Arachchige scored an unbeaten 64 off 47 with the help of six fours. Pawan supported him for a brief while, scoring 20off 21, while Nimesh Vimukthi amassed 23 off 19 towards the end of the innings. For Afghanistan, young Allah Ghazanfar had a phenomenal outing, picking up two wickets for just 14 runs in his four overs. Pacer Bilal Sami opened the bowling alongside Ghazanfar and the duo picked five wickets between them, with the former scalping a three-for, including the wickets of sSri Lankan openers.

When it came to the chase, Sri Lanka ot the perfect start as they dismissed opener Zubaid Akbari on the very first ball. However, the other opener Sediqullah Atal continued his rich form, scoring an unbeaten 55 off as many balls to his team significantly.

Batting at number three, captain Rasooli made 24 off 20 while Karim Janat contributed with a crucial 33 off 27. Towards the end, Mohammad Ishaq's quick cameo of 16 offf just six got the job done for his team as Afghanistan won by seven wickets and 11 balls remaining.

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