Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2023: Full List of Award Winners, Man of The Match, Post Match Presentation, Scorecard & Records

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by two runs to end their hopes of qualifying for the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 stage in Lahore on Tuesday. Afghanistan, who needed to chase a target of 292 in 37.1 overs, fought hard but were bowled out for 289 in 37.4 overs.

Despite fifties from Mohammad Nabi (65) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (59), missed out on the total by a whisker as Ksun Rajitha took four wickets for Sri Lanka. Earlier in the first innings, Sri Lanka posted a total of 291 for eight after Kusal Mendis top-scored with 92.

The other Sri Lanka batters in Pathum Nissanka (41), Dimuth Karunaratne (32), Charith Asalanka (36) and Dunith Wellalage (33 not out) made vital contributions. For Afghanistan, Gulbadin Naib returned figures of 4/60 while Rashid Khan picked up two wickets.

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2023 Award Winner

Player Of The Match: Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2023: Who Said What

Kusal Mendis: "We batted well in the first ten overs and then in the middle overs. I did my best today for my today. We were under pressure. The bowlers did a great job. With four fielders outside the circle, it's very hard to bowl.

"We did well in all three departments and that's why we won. Wellalage bowled really well, he got two wickets in an over. Matheesha also bowled well, he's improving."

Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka captain): "It's a tough one, very hard to defend such a total. DDS and my wicket - that was the important part of the game. Mendis and Asalanka built the innings really well. We didn't chip today.

"Credit to Theekshana and Wellalage - they played brilliantly to finish on 291. Kasun opened the door for us. Nabi played an outstanding innings which almost took away the game from us. We found a way to win."

Matheesha Pathirana: "Very tough game. We tried to qualify. We won the match, so we are happy. That's the only thing I can do when I am under pressure, I smile to calm myself. Our main bowlers are injured, I want to do that (take responsibility)."

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan captain): "Very disappointed about it (the loss and elimination). We fought well, we gave our 100%. Proud of the team for they way we played, the way we batted. I think in the last couple of years we played good cricket in the ODI format also. We are still learning a lot.

"We had a lot of positives in this tournament. We are very near to the World Cup, what we did wrong here we will learn and be better for World Cup. Our crowd is always supporting us. We are thankful to them. We tried tour best to give something back to them today, we feel sorry for them."