CRICKET
‘Analysts so rahe thee kya’ – Fans divided over Afghanistan’s lack of awareness about qualification scenario against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023
In the last game of the Group stages of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka locked horns. Sri Lanka just needed to win to advance to their next round although they had beaten Bangladesh in their opening game. On the other hand, the Afghans needed a big win to surpass the defending champions, Sri Lanka.
As confirmed by the ESPNcricinfo, the scenarios were: (151 in 34.5 overs, or 176 in 35.2 overs, or 201 in 35.5 overs, or 226 in 36.2 overs, or 251 in 36.4 overs, or 276 in 37 overs, or 301 in 37.2 overs). A tough ask for them… and it means Bangladesh are already through to the next round.” In the game, the Lankan Lions won the toss and elected to bat first.
They had a good start as Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka scored 63 runs for the first. However, after the first wicket, they were reduced to 86/3. At this stage, the likes of Kusal Mendis and Charitha Asalanka added 102 runs for the second wicket with the former missing out on his hundred.
After the fourth wicket, the team was reduced to 227/7. At this stage, the likes of Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana took the team to 291/8 at the end of the innings.
Afghanistan came agonizingly close but missed out
As the Blue Brigade needed to chase 292, they needed to do it in just 37.1 overs. They had a poor start as they lost their openers for just 27 runs. However, despite this, their middle and lower order kept the team in the game for the miraculous chase.
Had that happened, they would have toppled the defending champions out of the tournament. However, when they needed three runs on the first ball of the 38th over, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was caught at long-on. At this point, they thought about the fight for the Super Four round. However, they were not communicated by their analysts. This led to Fazalhaq Farooqi choosing to defend two balls before getting trapped lbw. In the end, they lost the game by two runs.
This is how Twitter reacted
It was really heartbreaking to see the turn of events at the end of the match yesterday. Afghanistan truly deserved to win and to be in super 4.
— THAKUR SAHEB (@iTHAKURSAHEB) September 6, 2023
@TheRealPCB should be blame for this.
— 🦁ChauhanSahab🦁 (@chauhandwarrior) September 6, 2023
The outrage is understandable. Afghanistan was so close to the win. I don't think officials can do anything here. Team Coach / Analyst should have all the calculations I believe… I am saying this based on the information I have… I would definitely take it as a positive and…
— Zalak Kansara 🇮🇳 🇦🇺 (@amdavadiZalak) September 6, 2023
Maybe AFG players pants were too tight so they lost all the matches. 🙈 #AsiaCup
— Ajmal Panjshiri | اجمل پنجشیری (@ajmalPanjshir) September 6, 2023
please get some knowledge about cricket for this incident the only people to blame are afg cricket coaching stuff and analyst they should have act as top professional but its was the opposite they were eating burgers in dressing room and for you please stick to tiktok
— saifullah farid 🇦🇫 (@jani_saif) September 5, 2023
— H. 🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@ThatHaider) September 6, 2023
Match officials are not req'd to give a running ball by ball update to teams,each team has an analyst and these are simple calculations, this is not the first or the last time that a team doesn't do it's due diligence.Afg should never have been chasing 292 when they had SL 7-227.
— Suliman Iqbal (@SulimanIqbal1) September 5, 2023
Idhar ao, answer doon apko. pic.twitter.com/Na1A6Hhkho
— Waleed 🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@WaleedMalik_9) September 6, 2023
Yes, we are with our Afghan brothers here. Everyone were aware of 37.1 overs to qualify but no one except the commentary team talked about 295 in 37.4 overs.
This is straight up high level fixing by the @icc organisers and Pakistan cricket board (@TheRealPCB) #AFGvsSL (1/2)
— Sai Bharadwaj (@saibharadwaj) September 6, 2023
It is never displayed on the screen madam. Your players and support staff should know basic mathematics and should have awareness of the game. Yes, your boys played amazing cricket. I was heartbroken to see that they are not even aware of the equation, but completely their fault
— Ayush (@ayushl07) September 6, 2023