Sri Lanka suffered a loss against Afghanistan in their previous game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. In the match, Sri Lanka batted first and scored 241 runs losing their all wickets. Sri Lankan’s team has not performed well in the recent matches. Pathum Nissanka slammed 46 runs while Kusal Mendis had 39 runs for the Sri Lanka team. Dilshan Madushanka took 2 wickets in this match.

For Afghanistan, the chase was quite easy. With Rahmat Shah 62 and Azmatullah Omarzai 73, Afghanistan reached the target in the 45.2th over itself with 3 wickets in their kitty. Fazalhaq Farooqi was awarded man of the match for picking 4 wickets in this game. Also, Mujeeb Ur Rahman scalped 2 wickets for the AFG team. Afghanistan won by 7 wickets (with 28 balls remaining) in this match.

This decision was revealed in court documents on Thursday. In November, Australian authorities had charged Gunathilaka with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent involving a 29-year-old woman. The alleged incident was said to have occurred after several days of communication through a dating app.

Notably, three of the four sexual assault charges against the 32-year-old cricketer were dropped in May, leaving him solely charged with “stealthing,” which involves the non-consensual removal of a condom during sexual activity.

Judge Sarah Huggett, in her assessment, concluded that the evidence indicated that Gunathilaka had no opportunity to remove the condom because the intercourse was continuous.

Prosecutors had contended that Gunathilaka had deliberately provided false statements during a police interview, but Judge Huggett disagreed, suggesting that his responses were likely due to “confusion, fatigue, a language barrier, and possibly memory.”

Gunathilaka had been required to surrender his passport during the trial, but media reports now confirm that he is free to return to Sri Lanka.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Gunathilaka expressed his gratitude, stating, “I think the judge’s verdict says everything. I just want to thank people who helped me during this sad time, and the last 11 months have been really hard for me.”

Sri Lanka has not yet announced its World Cup squad, and the fitness of star players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera remains a concern. The emergence of young talents like Matheesha Pathirana, Dunith Wellalage, and Sadeera Samarawickrama adds intrigue to the final squad selection. The squad is expected to be revealed soon, and Sri Lanka aims to build on its promising Asia Cup campaign with a strong World Cup performance.

Captain Shanaka emphasized the team’s determination, stating, “The boys really want to deliver for the country. As a team, we have been underdogs, so everyone wants to perform on the bigger stage. These youngsters need to show the world what they are capable of.”

India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, lauded Kuldeep’s consistency and rhythm. He acknowledged the left-arm wrist spinner’s dedication and hard work over the past year, leading to his impressive performances.

Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage showcased resilience with a partnership of 63 runs for the seventh wicket. However, Ravindra Jadeja’s wicket broke this threatening partnership, ending de Silva’s resistance at 41 runs.

Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning skipper, Arjuna Ranatunga, urged fans in 2012 to boycott matches in protest against perceived “mismanagement, corruption, and indiscipline” within the national team.

Bangladesh

The Tigers, having reached three Asia Cup finals without a victory, confront challenges as captain Tamim Iqbal is sidelined due to a back injury.

• ODI ranking: 7
• Captain: Shakib al Hasan
• Key players: Shakib (batting all-rounder), Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper-batsman), Mehedi Hasan Miraz (all-rounder)
• Asia Cup best: Runner-up (50-over) 2012, 2018, (T20) 2016

Sri Lanka

Co-hosts Sri Lanka, a dominant force in the Asia Cup history, boast six championships. Despite their victory in the T20 format last year, injuries have posed challenges for this edition.

• ODI ranking: 8
• Captain: Dasun Shanaka
• Key players: Kusal Mendis (opener), Dhananjaya de Silva (all-rounder)
• Asia Cup best: Winners (50-over) 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014, and (T20) 2022

Afghanistan

With their formidable spin attack, Afghanistan, in their second Asia Cup appearance, can potentially upset top teams on their day.

• ODI ranking: 9
• Captain: Hashmatullah Shahidi
• Key players: Rashid Khan (leg-spinner), Mohammad Nabi (all-rounder), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (off-spinner)
• Asia Cup best: Super Four 2018 (50-over), 2022 (T20)

The 2023 Asia Cup promises cricket enthusiasts an enthralling display of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship as the teams battle for supremacy in the heart of the subcontinent.

Sri Lanka commences its title defense with an opening clash against Bangladesh on August 31 at the Pallekele International Stadium. Subsequently, their second group encounter versus Afghanistan is slated for September 5 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. As the team grapples with a depleted bowling unit, the question lingers: Can Dasun Shanaka and his team replicate their underdog triumphs of 2022? Your thoughts are welcome.