Afghanistan players were unaware of the NRR scenario as they crashed out of the Asia Cup 2023

The Asia Cup 2023 clash between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka turned out to be a thriller in which Afghanistan nearly pulled off a memorable victory to keep themselves in the race for a spot in the Super-4. However, the players weren't aware of the Net Run Rate Permutations which caused their elimination from the match. Afghanistan failed to chase the target of 292 runs in 37.1 overs, with Rashid Khan down to his knees in disappointment.

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At the end of the 37th over, Afghanistan were on 289/8 and still in the game. But Mujeeb ur Rahman was caught at long-on, and the non-striker Rashid Khan sank to his knees. He was heartbroken to know that his team had been eliminated from the Asia Cup 2023.

Asia Cup 2023: The NRR Drama -

But, he didn't know that the actual case was different. Afghanistan could have finished above Sri Lanka's Net Run Rate if they reached 293 after 37.2 overs, 294 after 37.3, 295 after 37.5 overs, 296 after 38 overs, or 297 after 38.1 overs. Simply giving the strike to Rashid could have helped them finish the game easily.

Fazalhaq blocked the next two balls before he was trapped lbw. Afghanistan were bowled out for 289 in 37.4 overs and lost by two runs. Rashid Khan has proved himself time to time. He did that again by being there till the end. Afghanistan walked out of the tournament without any win in their two group-stage games.

After the match, Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott said that his team was unaware of the NRR requirements. "We have never communicated those calculations. All we were communicated was we needed to win in 37.1 overs. We were not told what the overs in which we could get 295 or 297, That we could win in 38.1 overs was never communicated to us," said Trott to ESPNCricinfo.