Mohammad Nabi slammed a 24-ball half-century that nearly helped Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka to the Super 4 stage in the Asia Cup clash in Lahore on Tuesday. But title-holders Sri Lanka eventually reached the Super 4 with two-run victory. Needing to overhaul a target of 292 in 37.1 overs to oust Sri Lanka on net run-rate, Afghanistan fell agonisingly short as Mujeeb Ur Rahman holed out with three needed from the first ball of the 38th over. They could still have qualified by reaching 295 within 37.4 overs but appeared to not be aware of that permutation as number 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi blocked out two deliveries before being dismissed while attempting another defensive shot with six needed to go through. "We were never communicated those calculations," Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott said in the post-match press conference. PHOTO: AFP/ACB
