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World Cup 2023, Match 30 | Strategic Corner - Can Afghanistan Find More Glory Against Sri Lanka?

image-lobh3318Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be playing against each other in the 30th match of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

In the upcoming 30th match of the ICC World Cup 2023, Afghanistan is set to face Sri Lanka in Pune. In their recent match, Afghanistan faced Pakistan and successfully chased down a target of 283 runs in 49 overs with eight wickets in hand. Notably, Noor Ahmed made his World Cup debut and contributed by taking three wickets for 49 runs in his 10-over spell.

Afghanistan established a strong opening partnership, amassing 130 runs, which set a positive momentum for their innings. They executed the chase comfortably and clinched the victory in the 49th over. So far in the tournament, Afghanistan has won 2 out of 5 matches. They has exhibited impressive cricket throughout the competition, notably defeating England and Pakistan. As a result, they are considered strong contenders and are expected to be the favourites in this upcoming match.

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On the other hand, Sri Lanka secured a remarkable win against England in their most recent encounter. They chased down a modest target of 157 runs in just 25.4 overs. Lahiru Kumara played a pivotal role for Sri Lanka, taking three wickets for 35 runs in seven overs, while Angelo Mathews and Kasun Rajitha claimed two wickets each. Pathum Nissanka contributed significantly with a solid 77 runs off 83 deliveries, and Sadeera Samarawickrama remained unbeaten with 65 runs off 54 balls.


Asian Rivalry Renewed: Afghanistan Takes on Revived Sri Lanka

Afghanistan hopes to win their third game in the tournament, even though reaching the semi-finals seems unlikely for them. However, they face a challenging opponent in Sri Lanka, who have been improving in the competition.

Sri Lanka had a tough start to the World Cup, losing three games in a row to South Africa, Pakistan, and Australia. To make things worse, their captain Dasun Shanaka got injured. But recently, Sri Lanka has shown they are not giving up. Under the temporary captain Kusal Mendis, they ended their losing streak by beating the Netherlands and then surprised everyone by defeating England.

Despite their ups and downs in the World Cup, Sri Lanka has seen some fantastic individual performances. Mendis, Shanaka, and Charithra Asalanka played key roles in a remarkable run chase against South Africa. Mendis made the fastest century by a Sri Lankan in ODI World Cups against Pakistan. Sadeera Samarawickrama also scored a century in the same match.

In addition, Dilshan Madushanka took three quick wickets against Australia, and Kasun Rajitha impressed with four wickets against the Netherlands. During a chase, Samarawickrama played a steady innings of 91. And don't forget Pathum Nissanka, who has been consistently good as an opener. He has scored four fifties in a row, with his recent scores being 77*, 54, 61, and 51.

Both teams know how important this match is. Sri Lanka can't afford to lose now, and Afghanistan wants to make their memorable journey even better. The stage is set for an exciting match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, where this Asian rivalry promises to be a thrilling contest.


Conclusion

The Afghanistan team will aim to continue showcasing their potential and competitiveness on the global stage, and a victory over a resurgent Sri Lanka would be another significant feather in their cap. For Sri Lanka, The recent resurgence, led by strong individual performances, has ignited their hopes of making a meaningful impact in the World Cup. A win against Afghanistan is essential for them to keep their semi-final dreams alive. They have the talent and determination to make it happen, and it's a must-win game for both the sides.