Afghanistan’s cricket team continues to make waves in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, with their recent commanding victory over Sri Lanka earning accolades from none other than cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle. Bhogle, a respected figure in the cricketing world, lauded Afghanistan’s remarkable batting prowess, highlighting their substantial progress in the tournament.
Harsha Bhogle’s Praise for Afghanistan
Harsha Bhogle took to a popular social media platform to express his admiration for Afghanistan’s performance in the World Cup. In his post, he wrote, “Fabulous once again from Afghanistan. Their batting has gone to a new high in this World Cup. I would like to believe a significant part is due to long-form players like Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi. Delighted for them.”
Bhogle’s praise emphasizes the remarkable journey of Afghanistan’s cricket team in the competition, particularly their batting capabilities, which have reached new heights. Players like Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi have played pivotal roles in this ascent, contributing significantly to their team’s success.
Afghanistan’s Convincing Victory Over Sri Lanka
Afghanistan’s impressive journey in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 continued with a convincing 7-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. This victory not only avenged their loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 but also pushed Afghanistan to the fifth position on the points table, reigniting their hopes for a semi-final berth.
In the match held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, Afghanistan chose to bowl first and their bowlers put up a disciplined performance. They restricted Sri Lanka to a total of 241 runs in 49.3 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the standout performer with four wickets, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed two, and Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan contributed with one wicket each.
Solid Batting Performance Leads Afghanistan to Victory
Despite the early setback of losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck, Afghanistan’s batting lineup exhibited resilience and determination. Ibrahim Zadran (39), Rahmat Shah (62), skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (58*), and Azmatullah Omarzai (73*) played pivotal roles in their successful chase. Their performance not only secured victory but also showcased the team’s depth in batting.
Afghanistan’s consistent victories have left cricket enthusiasts and fans celebrating, with many emphasizing that these wins are no longer upsets but rather convincing triumphs in the tournament. The team’s remarkable journey has captured the imagination of fans worldwide.
Upcoming Matches
Sri Lanka, seeking to regain their footing, is set to face unbeaten India in their next game on November 2, while Afghanistan will take on the Netherlands on November 3, as they look to maintain their momentum in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
Afghanistan’s stellar performance in the tournament, including their impressive win over Sri Lanka, has not only drawn the attention of cricket pundits but also ignited the hopes and celebrations of passionate fans. As the World Cup progresses, the cricketing world eagerly awaits more thrilling moments and standout performances from Afghanistan’s dynamic team.
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