Sri Lanka crash out of the Asia Cup! Another disappointing batting performance sees them dismissed for 158, Afghanistan sealing their opening win by 92 runs in Abu Dhabi!#SLvAFG scorecard https://t.co/CQYBAm3Hvr#AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/0hQE5zo0WJ — ICC (@ICC) September 17, 2018
In today’s Asia Cup match, depleted Sri Lanka look to overcome the 137-run drubbing they got against Bangladesh and put up a spirited performance against Afghanistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Sri Lanka now face the possibility of Asia Cup 2018 exit only three days into the third-biggest ODI tournament in the world. Even if Lanka beat Afghanistan today, their progress into the Super Four is not assured, given their woeful run rate in tournament's opening match. However, Sri Lanka will take inspiration from their earlier wins against Afghanistan. The teams have faced each other twice in the ODIs, with Sri Lanka leading the scoreline 2-0. In their most recent clash at ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Dunedin, the Islanders restricted the Afghans at 232 before chasing the target comfortably with five wickets to spare.
Asia Cup 2018: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan final scorecard
Afghanistan, on the other hand, are coming into the tournament with a 2-1 series win against Ireland and look prove their mettle against a major Test-playing nation, given ICC World Cup 2019 is just nine months away. For Afghanistan, this will be the tournament in which where the team needs to show there is more to their side than a global T20 superstar in Rashid Khan. With the likes of Mohammed Shahzad in the line-up, the Afghans will be hoping to create an upset or two. Stay tuned for Asia Cup highlights.