Can Afghanistan make the top 4 after their dominant 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka?

Afghanistan earned a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the 30th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The team has been on an inspiring run this time, defeating reigning champions England, Pakistan and now, Sri Lanka and climbing to fifth in the table with six matches each played across the board. 

They have only been defeated by unbeaten league leaders India and New Zealand, both of whom sit in the top four and are expecting to make it to the semi finals. 

Afghanistan climb to fifth with emphatic win over Sri Lanka: Can they make the top four? 

Fazalhaq Farooqi was named the man of the match for his 4/34 spell in his 10 overs, helping Afghanistan bowl out Sri Lanka for 241 in 49.3 overs. Rashid Khan only took one wicket in his 10 overs, letting Farooqi shine in what could be the 23-year-old’s crowning moment as a left-arm fast bowler. 

Rahmat Shah scored 62, while team captain Hashmatullah Shahidi also scored 58 and finished the game at the crease alongside Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored 72. 

Apart from captain Kusal Mendis, Purba Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama, no other Sri Lankan batters were unable to score over 30 runs. 

After their highest ever run Chase against Pakistan, Afghanistan surpassed expectations once again to earn the win over Sri Lanka. Their upcoming games are against the Netherlands, South Africa and Australia, which makes for a tense run-in to finish in the top four.