T20 World Cup, Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Highlights: Dhananjaya De Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga Take Sri Lanka To Victory over Afghanistan
T20 World Cup, AFG vs SL Highlights: Dhananjaya de Silva's unbeaten knock of 66 and a three-wicket haul by Wanindu Hasaranga, guided Sri Lanka to victory by six wickets in their T20 World Cup Group 1 match at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday
T20 World Cup, AFG vs SL Highlights: Dhananjaya de Silva's unbeaten knock of 66 and a three-wicket haul by Wanindu Hasaranga, guided Sri Lanka to victory by six wickets in their T20 World Cup Group 1 match at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday. Opted to bowl first, Afghanistan started off on a steady note but Lahiru Kumara dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, followed by Hasaranga dismissing Usman Ghani. Apart from them, de Silva and Kasun Rajitha also scalped one-wicket each, as Afghanistan were restricted at 144/8. Later, Mujeeb Ur Rehman provided Afghanistan with an early breakthrough as he dismissed Pathum Nissanka for 10. Later, Rashid Khan also scalped the wicket of Kusal Mendis. But de Silva anchored the innings as Sri Lanka claimed the victory with nine balls to spare. (SCORECARD)
Afghanistan
Sri Lanka Cricket Team
AFG vs SL, T20 WC Live Scorecard
We are back for the chase! Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, the two openers for Sri Lanka are walking out to the middle. Fazalhaq Farooqi to start with the new ball for Afghanistan. Here we go...
... THE RUN CHASE ...
Right then, both teams are desperate for a win here and Sri Lanka will fancy their chances here. Their batting has been circumspect in the last two games and they need to put on a good performance if they are to chase down this target. Afghanistan have a good bowling attack and their spinners are renowned for defending low totals. We are set for an interesting run chase shortly.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is up for a chat. He says that the score is not too bad and they can defend it. Adds that the pitch is a bit slow and the spinners are getting some help from it. Mentions that the bigger boundaries will help their bowlers.
Afghanistan got off to a steady start as they negotiated the swing early against the Sri Lankan pace bowlers. They scored 42 runs in the Powerplay without losing a wicket but lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz right after as he was bowled by Lahiru Kumara. Sri Lanka got a bit of control thereafter with their spinners but Usman Ghani kept getting the occasional boundaries before he was dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga. Ibrahim Zadran and Najibullah Zadran both got off to decent starts like the openers but they could not get going as well and were dismissed by Lahiru Kumara and Dhananjaya de Silva respectively. The rest of the batters could not really get going with Wanindu Hasaranga taking wickets towards the end and ending with three wickets for 13 runs in his four overs. The Lankans will be happy about restricting their opponents to under 150 runs.
Afghanistan have just collapsed towards the end and they would feel like they have 10-15 runs short of a reasonable total on the board! They have managed to put up 144 runs which could be enough if their spinners come to the party. Sri Lanka will be thrilled with their effort with the ball but will have to look closely at their catching. That level of fielding at an international level is unacceptable and if they had taken their chances they would have been right on top of this game.
OUT! STUMPED! Wanindu Hasaranga has three wickets under his belt and he will be mighty pleased! This is tossed up, around off, Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes down the pitch to heave it over mid-wicket, but misses it completely and Kusal Mendis takes the bails off in a flash. Afghanistan finish on 144 for 8!
Flighted full and outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai knocks this into the air towards long off and they take a single as the ball falls short.
Wanindu Hasaranga bowls this full and outside off, Mujeeb Ur Rahman shapes up for the switch hit but gets it towards point for a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman has walked out to the crease.
OUT! TIMBER! Wanindu Hasaranga sends Rashid Khan back to the hut! He bowls the googly this time, on middle, turning in, Rashid Khan skips down the track to slog it away, but plays all over it and the ball goes through to rattle the stumps. This is turning out to be a great decision from Dasun Shanaka to give the last over to Wanindu Hasaranga.
Tossed up, full and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai uses his feet to play at it but gets an inside edge as the ball goes to the off side. A single is taken.
Shorter and outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai looks to cut but misses.
A slower one, full and on off, Azmatullah Omarzai drievs it towards long off for a single.
OUT! TAKEN! The catch is taken this time and Mohammad Nabi has to go back to the hut. This is full and outside off, Mohammad Nabi reaches for it and tries to go over cover, but slices it up in the air towards th cover region where Dasun Shanaka settles under it and completes the catch.
WIDE! This is on a length but way outside off. Wided.
Sri Lanka's fielding continues to be their kryptonite as they have been unable to take some of their catches in this game as well.
Dropped again! Kasun Rajitha serves this full and on off, Rashid Khan goes for the helicopter shot but hits it straight towards cover where Dasun Shanaka drops a sitter.
This is pitched up, on off, Rashid Khan goes for the big heave but cannot connect.
DROPPED! This is full again and outside off, Rashid Khan slashes at it, but gets a outside edge towards the keeper where Kusal Mendis leaps, but cannot grab it and parries it towards third man. Two runs taken!