Opener’s 55-ball 79 helps lanka reach target with seven balls to spare against Afghanistan
Afghanistan posed a spirited challenge before the seasoned Tillakaratne Dilshan guided Sri lanka to a six-wicket win in their opening match of the ICC World T20 here on Thursday.
Dilshan (83 not out off 56 balls) steered Sri lanka to victory in 18.5 overs after Afghanistan put up a competitive 153 for seven, courtesy a captain's knock from Asghar Stanikzai (62).
It was a morale boosting win for lankans who suffered three consecutive losses in the Asia Cup and lost two warm-up games in the lead up to their tournament opener on Thursday.
The Afghans fought till the end but the Associate Nation's inexperience let them down.
Dilshan led a successful chase and was in his elements very early into his innings, producing his signature 'Dilscoop' against Dawlat Zardan in the third over when he hit the Afghan bowler for consecutive sixes.
With Dinesh Chandimal (18 from 17 balls; 2x4, 1x6), the Sri lankan opening duo gave them a brisk start, racing to 41 from 32 balls before before Mohammed Nabi gave the first breakthrough.
Young legspinner Rashid Khan did well in the middle but Dilshan held his nerve at the other end.
Earlier, Stanikzai led from the front with a half century as Afghanistan overcame a slow start to post a challenging total.
The lankans stifled Afghanistan top-order by reducing them to 51/4 after 11 overs before Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari (31 off 23) built the innings.
The duo stitched 61 off 33 balls for the fifth wicket and Stanikazai got a life twice, on 34 and 44 respectively.
Stanikzai was at his explosive best towards the later stages and hit Thisara Perera's widish full length delivery over long on with one foot, reminding one of the trademark helicopter shot of Indian skipper MS Dhoni.
After Stanikzai's departure, left-hander Najibullah Zardan also had some meaty blows with a four and six against Nuwan Kulasekara in the last over. Afghanistan added 59 runs from the last five overs to set up competitive total.
The Afghans however had a terrible start with inform opener Mohammad Shahzad, who was instrumental in their qualification to the Super 10, looking out of sorts.
Shahzad had a miss-and-hit stay as Afghanistan crawled to six runs in the first two overs.
Noor Ali Zardan stepped up the run rate with a 20 off 23 balls but Herath once again triggered a collapse before the Stanikzai led by example.
Brief Scores
Afghanistan: 153/7 (Asghar Stanikzai 62; Thisara Perera 3/33)lose to Sl: 155/4 (T Dilshan 83*, Mathews 21 not out) by six wickets.
We can do anything: mathews
After a morale boosting win over Afghanistan, Sri lanka captain Angelo Mathews said his team is capable of 'doing anything' provided it plays to its potential.
"We haven't played too well in the recent past. Credit to the Afghan batters, they put us under lots of pressure. We played really good cricket in the practice games, the attitude was superb. No matter who you play, you have to be positive. We aren't looking too far ahead, if we click we can do anything," said Mathews after Sri lanka secured a six wicket win over Afghanistan.
Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan roared back to form and guided his team home with an unbeaten 83 off 56 balls. Dilshan was out for a duck in the two warm up games.
"Two games I had two ducks, but I needed runs going into the big games. I'm really happy that i finished the game. 150 is a good total, this wicket is slow. later a little dew helped. They had some quality bowlers but we managed very well in the middle. Come to these kinds of tournaments, first match is very important that I get some runs. Senior guys need to stand up and do it for the team. The middle order can bat around us," said Dilshan.
Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai said Dilshan took the game away from them. "The total was good, not bad but Dilshan played really well. He took responsibility and played well. When you play big teams, our fielding wasn't good. We'll trey our best. Thanks to our president and parliament members for their support."