Sri Lanka bowled out of Asian Cup 2018

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A day of defeat befell the Sri Lankan cricket fans yesterday (September 17) as SL was kicked out of the Asian Cup 2018. Chasing a target of 250, Sri Lanka was completely bowled out for 158 runs, in a failed attempt to retain their spot in the Asian Cup. Having launched the Cup with a shaky start, Sri Lanka had lost to Bangladesh on Monday (September 16). Winning the toss, Afghanistan decided to bat first and the opening batsmen managed to scores of 34 and 45 runs. However, both were bowled out by Sri Lanka's only hope Akila Dhananjaya who although had missed the first game had come back for this match. Towards the latter part of the match, it was allrounder Thisara Perera that managed to restrict the flourishing Afghan scores to 249 runs. In response, Dhananjaya De Silva and Upul Tharanga had managed to build a partnership of 50 runs but later had lost Dhananjaya in a 14th over run-out.  With the front line Sri Lankan batsmen being bowled out, the five-time Asian Champions had lost their only hope of bagging victory round this year as well. Thus, Sri Lanka was defeated by 91 runs against Afghanistan and had to let go off dreams to bag the Asian Cup 2018.