<p>Tuesday’s thrilling match at Lahore’s Gadaffi Stadium put Afghanistan in danger of losing the Asia Cup 2023. In the last league game against Sri Lanka, they came up only 2 runs short, and in the most dramatic way, their chances of qualifying for the Super Fours were dashed.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-163363″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/theindiaprint.com-afghanistans-heartbreaking-exit-from-the-2023-asia-cup-as-a-result-of-miscommunica.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com afghanistans heartbreaking exit from the 2023 asia cup as a result of miscommunica” width=”980″ height=”638″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/theindiaprint.com-afghanistans-heartbreaking-exit-from-the-2023-asia-cup-as-a-result-of-miscommunica.jpg 278w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/theindiaprint.com-afghanistans-heartbreaking-exit-from-the-2023-asia-cup-as-a-result-of-miscommunica-150×98.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px” title=”Afghanistan's Heartbreaking Exit from the 2023 Asia Cup as a Result of Miscommunication 3″></p>
<p>Afghanistan knew going into the game that they needed to win handily in order to guarantee their spot in the Super Fours. They required a convincing victory in order to advance with Group B table-toppers Bangladesh since they had a lower Net Run Rate than Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>Hashmatullah Shahidi’s team had a difficult start to the game as they let up a sizable total of 291 runs when Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, chose to bat first on a quiet Gadaffi field.</p>
<p>To reach the Super Fours, Afghanistan had to chase down this difficult target in 37.1 overs. Mohammad Nabi and Hashmatullah’s quick half-centuries originally set Afghanistan on course for a historic triumph. All of their effort, however, was for nothing because of a crucial misunderstanding and ignorance.</p>
<p>According to the earlier estimates, Afghanistan needed three runs off the first ball of the 38th over to qualify at 289 for 8 in 37 overs. Rashid Khan at the non-striker’s end believed Afghanistan had lost their opportunity to qualify when Dhananjaya de Silva dismissed Mujeeb Ur Rahman on that delivery.</p>
<p>Contrary to popular opinion, if Afghanistan had achieved 293 after 37.2 overs, 294 after 37.3 overs, 295 after 37.5 overs, 296 after 38 overs, or 297 after 38.1 overs, they would have increased their Net Run Rate over Sri Lanka’s. These goals may have been reached if Fazalhaq Farooqi, the No. 11 batsman, had struck a boundary on the first ball of the 38th over, a six on the third, fourth, or fifth delivery, or had rotated the strike to give Rashid Khan a chance to win the match.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Farooqi was ignorant of these possibilities and mishandled two balls before getting dismissed on the fourth delivery, which brought Afghanistan’s Asia Cup campaign to a devastating end.</p>
<p>Jonathan Trott, the head coach of Afghanistan, vented his annoyance, alleging that the match authorities neglected to inform his side of the Net Run Rate permutations. We were never made aware of such figures, he said. We were just informed that we had to win in 37.1 overs. The overs in which we may achieve 295 or 297 were not disclosed to us. We were never told that a victory in 38.1 overs was possible.</p>
<p>Afghanistan suffered two defeats after this painful setback and went home empty-handed, while Sri Lanka easily cruised into the Super Fours with two victories out of two.</p>
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