Afghanistan has cemented its place in next year’s ICC ODI World Cup in India after the second ODI against hosts Sri Lanka at Pallekele was abandoned due to rain.
Afghanistan got five extra points in the World Cup Super League standings due to the nil result which brought their total to 115 points in the current cycle.
Handshakes everywhere 🤝 after Afghanistan’s 2⃣th ODI match against Sri Lanka was called off due to persistent rain 🌧️ in Kandy.
We go again on Wednesday for the third and final ODI of the series. #AfghanAtalan | #CWCSL | #AFGvSL | #SuperCola | #KamAir pic.twitter.com/qfEyDhET6x
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) November 27, 2022
Afghanistan is safely seventh in the current standings, with the top eight sides earning automatic places at the end of the Super League. While the five points were a good result for Afghanistan, it was the exact opposite for Sri Lanka, as their hopes of automatic qualification were hanging by a thread.
Dasun Shanaka’s side is 10th in the standings with just 67 points and only has four games left in this period to try and sneak into the top eight.
Sri Lanka will look to grab valuable 10 points and tie the three-ODI series by beating Afghanistan in the third ODI at Pallekele on Wednesday.