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Asia Cup UPDATES: SL, Bangladesh enter Super Fours

Thu, 18 September 2025

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23:58

Sri Lanka beat Afg by 6 wickets

SL 171-4 (18.4 ovs) vs Afg 169-8 | Scorecard

On the back of Kusal Mendis' unbeaten 74, Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets with eight balls to spare in their final Group B game in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

By virtue of this win Sri Lanka have made the Super Fours along with Bangladesh. Afghanistan crash out.

Batting first, Afghanistan rode on Mohammed Nabi's 22-ball 60 to post 169 for eight and then saw Mendis guide Sri Lanka past the tricky target of 170 with eight balls to spare.

The Afghanistan bowlers made some important breakthroughs to peg Sri Lanka back in their chase, but Mendis had other plans and the batter got support from Kusal Perera (28) and Kamindu Mendis (26 not out).

Earlier in the evening, Nuwan Thushara was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka, returning figures of 4/18.

Mujeeb back in the attack and Kamindu starts the over with a couple.

He then takes a single before Kusal ends the match with a couple of fours to register a six-wicket win to oust Afghanistan from the Asia Cup. Bangladesh sneak in to the Super 4s.

23:42

Afghanistan on verge of defeat

SL 160-4 (18 ovs) vs Afg 169-8 | Scorecard

Sri Lanka need 25 runs off the 18 balls now.

Farooqui is back in the attack and Kamindu runs a single off a bye.

Back of length ball and Kusal pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a four.

Mendis then plays the ball to long off for a single.

Kamindu now comes across the stumps and he ramps the slow ball over fine leg for a six!

He then hits it down the ground towards long on for a single. The ball is short of the fielder.

Slower full toss next and Kusal hoicks it to mid-wicket for a couple. 15 come off the over.

Noor continues and the umpire signals a wide down the leg side first ball even as he appeals for a caught behind,

In the slot next and Kamindu slogs it over long on for a six!

Kamindu then sweeps the ball to deep square leg for a couple.

Wide called as Kamindu gets another single to short fine leg.

A dot later, a short and wide ball and Kusal cuts it over point for a four.

A bottom edge towards short third man next and he gets a single.

Kamindu then miscues a sweep and he gets a single to the leg side as 17 come off it.

23:30

SL need 48 off 30 balls

SL 128-4 (16 ovs) vs Afg 169-8 | Scorecard

Rashid is back in the attack. Kusal Mendis starts the over with a single.

Kamindu then chips the ball in the air, it flies over Rashid who runs back, and he collects the ball and throws it in an attempt to effect a run out at the non-strikers' end but he twists his back in the bargain and seems in a lot of pain. The physio comes out and checks on the bowler. He is fine to continue.

Kamindu Mendis then sweeps the next ball for a single.

Kusal then gets a single to the off side before Kamindu ends the over with another single to mid wicket as 6 come off it.

Rashid finishes his spell and is off the field now.

Kamindu Mendis is the new man and first ball is wide down the leg side.

He then looks to sweep and he gets a couple to fine leg to get off the mark.

9 runs and a wicket come off it.

Noor is back in the attack, he starts over the wicket to Asalanka who inside edges the ball to the leg side for a single.

Ball at the middle and leg next and Mendis sweeps it to fine leg for a four to bring up his 17th T20I half-century.

A dot later, Mendis plays the ball to long on for a single.

Short ball next, Asalanka pulls, Rashid comes running in from the deep to complete a good sliding catch to send back the Sri Lankan skipper for 17.

23:16

Afghanistan need victory to make the next stage

SL 113-3 (14 ovs) vs Afg 169-8 | Scorecard

Nabi is back in the attack and Mendis and Asalanka take three singles.

Nabi around the wicket. short and wide, Asalanka cuts it late past backward point for a four.

Asalanka then plays the ball to long off for a quick couple.

Asalanka then tucks the ball to the leg side and he scampers for a single as 10 come off it.

Rashid continues and K Mendis sweeps and that is a dot.

Mendis then plays the ball down to the backward square leg for a single.

A dot later, Asalanka cuts the ball for a four. 101 up for Sri Lanka and they qualify for the Super Fours.

Asalanka and Mendis take a single each as 7 come off the over.

Asalanka is the new man in and he is off the mark with a couple to the off side.

A single later, K Mendis pulls the short ball to the leg side for a single.

A dot to end the over as 8 runs and a wicket come off it.

Mujeeb continues around the wicket and Perera reverse sweeps over the fielder for a four.

Perera then gets a faint nick and he is caught behind. Mujeeb gets the ball to tickle Perera outside edge and he is well caught by Gurbaz and the partnership is broken. He is out for 28.

Rashid continues after drinks and K Mendis and Perera rotate the strike for three singles.

Perera then top edges the sweep over short fine leg and the batters scamper for a couple.

Perera then clips the next ball to the leg side for a single before a dot to end the over. 6 runs come off it.

22:58

Mujeeb, Noor taken for runs

SL 82-2 (10 ovs) vs Afg 169-8 | Scorecard

Mujeeb is back in the attack and Perera pulls the ball over point for a single.

Mendis and Perera then take a single each.

Mendis then plays the ball over the bowler for a couple to long off.

Mendis then takes a single to backward square leg.

Perera then sweeps the ball over deep mid-wicket as the ball bounces once before the boundary line for a four. 10 come off it.

Noor is in the attack now and the batters are happy to milk the bowling as 5 runs come off the first three balls.

K Mendis then sweeps the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Down the leg side next and the batter misses the connect but the ball goes past the keeper for a four and a wide called.

A single to end the over as 12 come off it.

22:48

Mendis, Perera work the ball around

SL 60-2 (8 ovs) vs Afg 169-8 | Scorecard

Nabi continues and Perera starts with a single to the leg side.

Two dots later, K Mendis clips the ball to square leg for a single.

Nabi comes around the wicket, hits Perera full on the pad, big appeal, no says the umpire, Afghanistan decide not to review.

A single to end the over as just 3 come off it.

Rashid in the attack now and Mendis and Perera take four singles before Mendis is beaten on the outside edge and it looked like the keeper had put him down. Just four come off it.

22:40

SL lose Mishara cheaply

SL 53-2 (6 ovs) vs Afg 169-8 | Scorecard

Kusal Perera is the new man in and after a dot, he is off the mark with a four as he sweeps the full ball to the leg side.

Perera and K Mendis then take a single each as a wicket and 7 runs come off it.

Off spinner Nabi is in the attack now and Mendis starts the over with a single to mid-off.

Mishara then just chips the next ball that is tossed up straight to the fielder at short extra cover and his struggle ends, he is out for 4 off 10.

Omarzai continues and a dot and a single later, Kusal gets a boundary past the keeper.

Three singles to end the over as 8 come off it.

22:31

Omarzai removes Nissanka

SL 38-1 (4 ovs) vs Afg 169-8 | Scorecard

Farooqui back in the attack and Kusal starts the over with a single to backward point.

Farooqui continues over the wicket and he gets the ball to move away.

Another dot later, Mishara gets an inside edge to the short fine leg side for a single.

A wide ball later, Farooqui bowls one down the leg side and the ball runs past the keeper for a four! Wide ball given

Short ball next and Kusal swivel pulls it over mid-wicket for a four.

A couple to deep mid-wicket to end the over as 14 come off it.

Mishara is the new man in and he is off the mark with a single.

Kusal then takes a single next ball.

Appeal for caught behind next, no says the umpire. Afghanistan take the review. The ultra edge shows no connection between bat and ball and review lost.

A dot to end the over as 2 runs and a wicket come off it.

Omarzai in the attack now and after a dot, Nissanka under edges the short ball as he comes across the line and plays it straight to short fine leg and he is out for 6. SL lose the first wicket.

22:16

Kusal Mendis in full flow

SL 22-0 (2 ovs) vs Afg 169-8 | Scorecard

Spinner Mujeeb is in the attack now and Nissanka starts the over with a single to mid-wicket.

Kusal then gets a couple past mid-wicket.

Kusal then tickles the ball past fine leg for a four.

Kusal then plays the ball to deep square leg for another couple.

Short ball on the leg stump and Kusal sweeps it to backward square leg for a four as 13 come off it.

Nissanka and Kusal Mendis come out to chase as Farooqui opens the attack and Nissanka slashes and the edge flies over short third man for a boundary.

Nissanka then takes a single.

Two dots later, a wide ball is cut over point for a four. A dot to end the over as 9 come off it.

21:53

Nabi shines as 49 runs come off the last two overs

Afg 169-8 (20 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

Mohammad Nabi scored a blistering 60 off just 22 balls to take Afghanistan to 169 for 8 in their must-win Group B match against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Afghanistan lost wickets are a quick pace before Rashid and Nabi scripted their late fight back before Nabi smashed 5 sixes in the final over to take the Afghans to 169 for 8.

Wellalage is back in the attack to bowl the final over and Nabi swings and starts the over with two sixes!

Nabi swings again and smacks the ball into the sightscreen and Afghanistan bring up the 150.

The bowler comes over the wicket and bowls a wide down the leg side and it's no ball. A free-hit coming up and Nabi smashes it over extra cover for a six! A 50 off just 18 balls for Nabi.

Nabi continues with the assault and he hits another six over the bowler.

Nabi plays it to deep cover and scampers for a couple and is run out. 32 runs and a wicket come off the last over as Nabi is out for 60 off 22 balls.

Chameera continues and Nabi takes him on for three boundaries in the over.

Nabi and Noor then rotate the strike as 17 runs come off it as Hasaranga puts down Nabi.

21:33

Thushara gets another

Afg 120-7 (18 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

Noor Ahmad is the new man in and he is off the mark with a couple.

Noor and Nabi then take a single each.

Short ball is then pulled for a single by Noor.

Nabi then plays the full ball down to deep square leg for a single as a wicket and 6 runs come off it.

Thushara back in the attack and he bowls a yorker that dips on Rashid and rolls on to the stumps, SL appeal but the bails are dislodged and Rashid is out bowled unaware as he wants to review. The umpire points to him that he is bowled out and he has to walk back bowled for 24.

Chameera is back in the attack and Rashid starts the over with a single.

Short ball next, Nabi goes for the pull but he is put down by Wellalage who charges in from the deep but fails to grab it and that is a dropped chance. Single for Nabi.

Big shout for LBW next as Rashid is hit on the pads on the full. Umpire says not out. SL take the review and lose it as the Ultra Edge that there was a thin edge.

Chameera then bowls another yorker. Rashid blocks it.

Another full ball, but slower this time, Rashid miscues the big shot, falls in no man's land. he gets single.

Nabi then swings and smashes the ball over long on for a six! 9 runs come off the over.

21:22

Afghanistan need to up the ante

Afg 105-6 (16 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

Hasaranga continues and he starts with a googly that Nabi plays to the off side for a single.

Rashid and Nabi then take a single each.

A dot later, Rashid then plays the googly to sweeper cover for a single. A dot to end the over as 4 come off it.

Shanaka back in the attack and after Nabi starts the over with a single, Rashid hits a boundary over extra cover before he gets low and short arm jabs the no-look pull over deep mid-wicket for a six!

Rashid then fails to connect with the short ball as he attempts the upper cut.

Three dots to end the over as 11 come off it.

21:13

SL get their 6th wicket

Afg 90-6 (14 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

Hasaranga is back in the attack and he starts with two googlies as Rashid plays them safely. A dot later, Rashid cuts the ball to backward point for a single.

Nabi then takes a single before Rashid drives the ball down to extra cover for a couple as 4 runs come off it.

Rashid is the new man in. He gets off the mark with a couple to the leg side.

Rashid then drives the ball over extra cover for a six! A dot later, the ball goes over his stumps before he drives the ball to long off for a single as a wicket and 7 runs come off it.

Spinner Wellalage is back in the attack, Zadran comes down, goes for the big shot and Chameera takes a good catch over his head at long on before falling to the ground to complete a superb catch. Zadran has to walk back for 24 off 27.

21:05

Omarzai, Rasooli back in the hut

Afg 79-5 (12 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

Nabi is the new man in and he is off the mark with a single.

Short ball again, Zadran pulls and the ball flies just over Hasaranga at deep backward square leg for a six!

Zadran takes a single to mid-wicket to end the over as 10 runs come off it.

Shanaka back in the attack and Omarzai and Zadran take a single each off the next two balls before Shanaka bowls a slower short one, Omarzai looks to pull only to chop it on to his stumps. He goes out cheaply for 6 off 4 balls and Afghanistan lose half the side.

Omarzai is the new man in, gets the outside edge and the ball flies past the diving keeper for a four to get off the mark.

He then plays the ball to cover for a single before a dot to end the over as 6 runs and a wicket come off it.

Chameera is back in the attack and he short bounces zips past the outside edge.

Zadran takes a single next before Rasooli goes for the big shot, edges it and it flies towards third man where Kusal Perera takes a catch in the field of play, before finding his balance while throwing the ball back in the air, he jumps out of the boundary and enters in the field of the play to finish the take and Aghanistan lose their 4th wicket. He is out for 9.

20:50

Zadran-Rasooli build partnership

Afg 63-3 (10 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

At the halfway stage, Sri Lanka are in the driver's seat as they have managed to put a hold on the big shots.

Hasaranga continues and Zadran starts with a dot. He then drives the ball down to long on for a single.

Googly next and Rasooli then goes back and plays the ball to long on for a single.

Zadran then plays the ball to mid-wicket for a single.

Rasooli then punches the ball to long on for a single before Zadran plays the ball to cover point for a single as 5 come off it.

Shanaka continues and the batters rotate the strike for 6 runs off the first five balls before Rasooli is beaten on the outside edge as the ball moves away.

20:44

SL bowlers put a squeeze on the scoring

Afg 52-3 (8 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

Leggie Hasaranga in the attack now and he starts with a googly and the ball goes just past Rasooli's off stump.

Rasooli and Zadran then rotate the strike to take 5 runs in the over.

Medium pacer Dasun Shanaka in the attack now and Zadran starts the over with a single to the leg side.

Three dot balls add to Afghanistan's plight.

A full ball next and Rasooli plays it down to third man for a single. Another dot to end the over as just two runs come off it.

20:35

Gets his third wicket

Afg 45-3 (6 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

Wellalage continues and the batters take 5 singles in the over.

Darwish Rasooli is the new man in and he plays a dot as a wicket and 3 runs come off it.

Thushara continues and starts with a yorker that Atal plays to the off side for a dot.

Atal then plays the ball to backward square leg for a single.

Zadran is then beaten next ball as the ball goes just past his off stump.

Wide down the leg side next. Zadran then plays the ball past the bowler for a single.

Thushara then cleans up Atal, going right through his defences. He comes around the wicket, full ball and he gets it to come back in, crash into the stumps as Atal is bowled all ends up. He is out for 18 off 14.

20:24

SL peg things back

Afg 37-2 (4 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

Ibrahim Zadran is the new man in.

Left arm spinner Wellalage in the attack now and Atal starts the over with a four over wide mid-off.

Two dots later, Atal takes a single to mid-wicket.

Two dots to end the over as just five runs come off it.

Karim Janat is the new man in and after a dot, he scampers for a single to mid-wicket.

Poor delivery on the leg side next as the ball goes off Atal's pads to the fine leg boundary.

Atal then takes a single off a leg bye amid shouts of LBW.

Thushara strikes again! He bowls a full ball that swings late and Janat watches his off stump bails fly off. He is out for 1. Afghanistan lose their 2nd wicket.

Thushara continues, he bowls a full ball, Gurbaz comes down the track, looks to swing, gets the outside edge and the ball flies to short third man where the fielder does well to hold on and Afghanistan lose their first wicket. Gurbaz out for 14.

20:13

Gurbaz, Atal in full flow

Afg 26-0 (2 ovs) vs SL | Scorecard

Pacer Chameera opens at the other end and Atal starts the attack with a dot.

Leg side ball, swinging in and Atal whips it over deep square leg for a six!

Atal the drives the ball on the up, the ball runs past the point fielder and that is a four!

Atal then plays the ball to short cover and scampers for a single.

Again a poor ball, leg side ball and Gurbaz whips the ball off his pads for a four through fine leg.

Gurbaz then clips the ball to deep square leg for a couple as 18 come off the over.

Sediqullah Atal and Rahmanullah Gurbaz come out to bat for the Afghans while Thushara opens the attack for Sri Lanka and Gurbaz plays two dots

Gurbaz then goes after it, miscues and Asalanka runs back but is unable to get there in time. Gurbaz off the mark with a couple.

Gurbaz then gets to the pitch of the ball, comes down the track and smacks it over extra cover for a four!

Slower ball next and Gurbaz comes to the leg side and drives it down to long on for a single.

A super yorker that Atal jams out, the inside edge see the ball run down to the leg side and the batter takes a single as 8 runs come off the opening over.

20:03

Both teams in race for Super 4 spot

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup Group B match in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

A win for Afghanistan will mean they will go into the Super 4s along with the Lankans. The Lankans need to ensure they don't lose by a big margin otherwise their chances dwindle as the net run rate will come into play in this Group of Death.

Afghanistan make two changes to their Playing XI while the Lankans make one change with Wellalage coming in for Theekshana.

The pitch is again a good one for batting, although two-paced and Rashid expects his team to put on 160+ to challenge the Lankan batters.

Playing XIs:

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Afghanistan: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Afghanistan will need to play with more flair and freedom in their must-win Asia Cup group match against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

After their loss to Bangladesh, Afghanistan will need to get past a steady Sri Lanka to have a shot at making the super fours. A win for Afghanistan will leave them, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on four points each.

However, what could go in their favour is their superior net run rate of (2.150) compared to Bangladesh (-0.270), who are done with their league commitments.

Having reached the semifinals of the T20 World Cup, expectations have increased from the Rashid Khan-led side. The spin heavy unit is yet to hit top form in Asia Cup, especially with the bat.

Afghanistan were expected to chase 155 against Bangladesh on Tuesday night but got themselves into a hole they could never get out of.

"We haven't played the type of cricket we are famous for - attacking cricket. We let a lot of pressure build on ourselves. The way we came back with the ball to restrict them under 160 was special, but with the batting we played some irresponsible shots.

"In T20 sometimes the opposition take the game away in the first six overs, but then you have to come back," a visibly disappointed Rashid said after the defeat.

Sri Lanka, who have won both their games, too would be looking for an improved batting performance, having got themselves into a precarious situation in the chase against Hong Kong.

Captain Charith Asalanka knows they would need to be much more professional against a wounded Afghanistan.

"We are professionals and we have to do much better," said Asalanka.

While their batters will face a strong challenge from the star Afghanistan spinners, the opposition will need to find a way to play mystery spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been stellar thus far.

Sri Lankan top order comprising Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Kamil Mishara are in good touch. Mendis is yet to set the stage on fire and he will be itching to do that on Thursday night and get his team into the super fours.

Squads:

Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq.

Match starts 8 PM IST

00:42

Hosts bow out after valiant fight

UAE 105 all out (17.4 Ovs) vs Pakistan 146-9 | Scorecard

Haris Rauf is back into the attack. Out! Simranjeet's stay ends as Sahibzada Farhan sends him back with a direct hit.

He goes for 1 off 4.

Junaid Siddique comes to the crease.

Haider Ali plays out a dot before being caught out by Sahibzada Farhan!

He goes for 6 off 6 balls with a hit to the fence.

Muhammad Roshid Khan is the last man in and it is all over as he is out attempting a third run.

Pakistan win by 41 runs and join India in the Super 4 stage.

00:35

UAE lose the plot

UAE 103-7 (17 Ovs) vs Pakistan 146-9 | Scorecard

Harshit Kaushik is the new man in.

Skipper Salman Agha to bowl the 16th over.

Rahul Chopra hits a six off the first delivery and gets a couple off the next.

Out! Agha strikes as Chopra falls, caught by Hasan Nawaz.

He mistimes a slog-sweep and the fielder at deep mid-wicket takes a comfortable catch.

Chopra goes for 35 off 35 balls with a six and a boundary.

Haider Ali walks in and after playing out a dot he gets off the mark with a single.

9 runs come off the over.

Shaheen Afridi is back into the attack. Haider Ali guides one to third man and gets off the mark.

Out! Harshit Kaushik is out, caught by Mohammad Haris behind the stumps. Pakistan review the on-field decision of not out and the UltraEdge shows the ball went clearly off the glove.

Kaushik goes for a golden duck.

Simranjeet Singh comes to the crease and after playing out two dots, he gets off the mark with a push to long-on.

Four! Haider Ali makes room and slaps one through backward point for a much-needed boundary.

6 runs come off the over.

00:25

UAE need 59 off 30 balls

UAE 88-5 (15 Ovs) vs Pakistan 146-9 | Scorecard

Abrar Ahmed with his third over and Dhruv Parashar and Rahul Chopra keep the score-board ticking four singles and a couple.

Skipper Salman Agha brings Haris Rauf back into the attack looking for a breakthrough.

Dhruv tucks the first delivery towards mid-wicket and gets a single.

A dot and a wide follow.

The partnership between Dhruv and Rahul is nearing the 50-run mark.

Chopra then makes room and chips one to mid-off and gets a couple.

A dot later, Chopra gets a single with a push to long-on.

Out! Rauf picks up a wicket, Dhruv is out, caught by Kushdil.

Rahul departs after making 20 off 23 balls with a hit to the fence.

Five runs come off the over.

Asif Khan is the new man in.

Abrar continues and Chopra gets a single through deep mid-wicket.

Two dots and two singles, including a leg-bye, off the next four deliveries.

Out! Asif Khan is clean bowled by Abrar. An ugly swipe sends his wickets cartwheeling!

He goes for a 4-ball duck.

3 runs come off the over.

00:20

UAE stay the course

UAE 74-3 (12 Ovs) vs Pakistan 146-9 | Scorecard

Abrar Ahmed is back into the attack and Dhruv Parashar taps one to cover for a single.

Two more singles follows.

Huge appeal for LBW but the umpire is disinterested. The batters cross over for a single.

Two more singles to end the over. 6 runs come off the over.

Saim Ayub with his final over and he starts with a dot ball before Rahul Chopra carves a flatter delivery to deep extra cover and picks a single.

Four! Dhruv slaps the good length delivery outside off through extra cover and gets a boundary.

A dot and a brace with a paddle sweep follows.

A single through leg side to end the over. 8 runs come off it.

Saim finishes his quota with 1-18.

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Asia Cup UPDATES: SL, Bangladesh enter Super Fours

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