Afghanistan on Sunday (November 27) sealed their place for the ODI World Cup 2023 scheduled in October-November next year.
The Afghan team have fared well in the 50-over format in 2022 with five victories, two losses and a single no-result game. They lost 1-2 to Bangladesh, but were terrific to secure a 3-0 clean sweep against Zimbabwe.
Currently, they are on a tour to Sri Lanka for the three-match ODI series. The first game of the series witnessed them stamping authority and winning by 60 runs.
Batting first, Afghanistan posted 294 on the board, with Ibrahim Zadran scoring 106, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah scored fifties each. Then, the pace bowlers were terrific to bundle out the opposition for 234.
In the second ODI, Afghanistan managed to put up a target of 229 for the hosts. However, the incessant rain forced the game to be abandoned, and both teams shared five points in the World Cup Super League standings.
World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka’s hopes of qualification are hanging by a thread
With 115 points, the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side are now placed seventh in the World Cup Super League table. Below them are West Indies with 88 points, which has ultimately confirmed the qualification for Afghanistan.
Although the Lankan Lions added five points to their tally, they mark their presence in the 10th position. They have 67 points, and only have four ODI games to play before the World Cup.
In March 2023, the Dasun Shanaka-led side will face New Zealand in the three-match series. With each victory giving 10 points, it is critical for the Islanders to win all their remaining games to cross the mark of 100.
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Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan in the final ODI of the series on Wednesday (November 30). It will be a must-win game for them to remain in the hunt for automatic qualification.
Furthermore, If Sri Lanka fails to find a place in the top eight spots, they will have to battle it out in the Qualifiers. It will be interesting to see if they can pose a strong challenge to Afghanistan and level the series.
