SL vs AFG: Updated World Cup 2023 Points Table: In an important victory, Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune on October 30. The Afghans riding on the back of a clinical bowling show followed by a superb batting display, edged the former World Cup winners, Sri Lanka by seven wickets. With the win, Afghanistan will continue their World Cup 2023 semi-final spot hunt as they keep themselves firm in fifth place in the Updated World Cup 2023 Points Table.
In recent times, Afghanistan has shown great improvement in their cricketing legacy. They nearly knocked Sri Lanka out during the Asia Cup 2023 and now on the world stage, they have taken over all the limelight after defeating big wig teams – England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Talking about the recent fixture between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, the former scored 241 runs total before getting bowled out at the hands of Afghanistan. On a good batting surface, the score was not really competitive, which was felt by the Sri Lankan bowlers as they couldn’t defend it.
Opener Prathum Nissanka led the charge of the Sri Lankan innings with a knock of 46 runs in 60 deliveries. Later in the innings, Kusal Mendis (39 runs), and Sadeera Samarawickrama (36 runs) among others also chipped in with their handy contributions to take Sri Lanka’s overall total to 241 runs.
Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi played a vital role in reducing Sri Lanka to a low total on a decent batting track with a four-wicket haul. Besides, Mujeeb picked two while Rashid Khan and Azmatullah got one apiece.
241 was never going to put pressure on the Afghanistan batting lineup which had many bright stars shining. Although Sri Lanka managed to provide an early breakthrough (Rahmanullah Gurbaz) in the very first over, the other batters were too confident to budge. Barring Ibrahim Zadran, who scored 39 runs, the next three batters completed their half-centuries. The likes of Rahmat Shah (62 runs), Hashmatullah Shahidi (58* runs) and Azmatullah Omarzai (73* runs) played half-century knocks, with the latter two batters remaining unbeaten.
Those solid contributions from Afghanistan’s middle-order helped the team clinch an easy win against Sri Lanka in Pune by seven wickets and 4.4 overs to spare.
SL vs AFG: Afghanistan Rise in the Points Table – World Cup 2023
The victory against Sri Lanka aided Afghanistan to consolidate their position in the World Cup 2023 Points Table. With three wins and as many losses in six matches, Afghanistan is placed fifth in the points table. The team will now compete with the likes of New Zealand and Australia as there is nothing too much of a difference between the number three ranked team (New Zealand) and the number five ranked team (Afghanistan), except for a solitary victory.
Sri Lanka’s position is on a decline in the World Cup 2023. They have just managed to win two matches and lost four in the six games they have played so far in the tournament. Sri Lanka are now tied with Pakistan and Netherlands, who all are standing at the bottom half of the points table with four points each.
SL vs AFG: Updated World Cup 2023 Points Table
| POS | TEAM | PLAYED | WON | LOST | N/R | TIED | NET RR | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1.405 | 12 |
| 2 | South Africa | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2.032 | 10 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +1.232 | 8 |
| 4 | Australia | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +0.970 | 8 |
| 5 | Afghanistan | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -0.718 | 6 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -0.275 | 4 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -0.387 | 4 |
| 8 | Netherlands | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -1.277 | 4 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | -1.338 | 2 |
| 10 | England | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | -1.652 | 2 |
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