World Cup 2015 Photos

World Cup: Jayawardene, Perera Help Sri Lanka Beat Afghanistan

February 22, 2015 11:53

Mahela Jayawardene's century rescued Sri Lanka from a batting meltdown as they beat Afghanistan by four wickets in their World Cup match in Dunedin on Sunday.

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Mahela Jayawardene's century rescued Sri Lanka from a batting meltdown as they beat Afghanistan by four wickets in their World Cup match in Dunedin on Sunday. (All Getty Images)
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Set a modest target of 233 to win the Pool A game, 1996 champions Sri Lanka were stunned when openers Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakaratne Dilshan both fell for golden ducks.
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They were in further strife at 51 for four before Jayawardene (100) and skipper Angelo Mathews (44) rectified the innings with a 126-run partnership before Sri Lanka won with 10 balls to spare at University Oval.
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This was Sri Lanka's first win in two games this tournament following a 98-run defeat by New Zealand, but the plaudits went to World Cup debutants Afghanistan, who only let themselves down with a slow run-rate in the second half of their innings.
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Sent in to bat in spicy, overcast conditions they reached 169 for four before the the last 15 overs saw six wickets go down as they were dismissed for 232 with two balls remaining, courtesy three wickets each by Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews.
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After early losses, Asghar Stanikzai held hi nerves to score 54.
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Lasith Malinga looked out of sorts in the beginning but finished with three for 41.
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Hamid Hassan was the pick of Afghanistan bowlers. He bagged three for 45.
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After Sri Lanka lost set batsmen Jayawardene and Mathews in succession and still needing 55 to win, Thisara Perera proved his worth yet again to guide Sri Lanka to 4-wicket win. He hit an unbeaten 47 of 26 balls.
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Afghanistan may be regarded as rank outsiders but Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran and Hassan taught Sri Lanka a lesson on how to utilise the conditions.

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