Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 34 runs via DLS method to register their first win of World CUp 2019. Chasing a modest target of 187 runs, Afghanistan started decently as both their openers scored at decent pace upfront. Sri Lanka pacers came back strongly and reduced them to 57/5 inside 14 overs. Najibullah Zadran and Gulbadin Naib stitched 50-run partnership to get their innings on track. But lack of support from other batsmen resulted in Afghanistan losing the game by 34 runs. For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Pradeep finished with his career best figure of 31/4. Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin Naib won the toss and elected to bowl against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka openers Kusal Perera and Dimuth Karunaratne both started aggressively and completed 50-run stand in 29 balls. They kept going and added 92 runs for the first wicket. Karunaratne fell to Mohammad Nabi on 30. Perera was joined by Lahiru Thirimanne in the middle and they both added 52 runs for the second wicket. Sri Lanka were pushed on the backfoot by Nabi who picked up three wickets in an over. The wickets kept falling from the other end and Perera ultimately departed for 78 runs. The weather forecast before the match proved to be right as rain started pouring after 33 overs, halting the play for close to two hours. After the play resumed Sri Lanka could only add 13 runs to their tally. Nabi picked up maximum wickets for Afghanistan as he finished with 4/30 in nine overs. Afghanistan got a revised target of 187 runs. (SCORECARD)
World Cup 2019 Match Highlights Between Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Straight from Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
- 23:19 (IST)Almost carried to the sweeper cover!Nuwan Pradeep bowls wide delivery outside off stump and Najibullah Zadran lofts it over cover and the ball fell just short of charging Thisara Parera at sweeper cover who does well to stop the ball on the half volley. Zadran refuses to run what could have been an easy two.
- 22:59 (IST)LBW appeal...Given!Nuwan Pardeep has given Sri Lanka the breakthrough they were looking for. The ball was pitched on the off and was angling into Gulbadin Naib's pads who was late for the shot. The replay confirms the umpire's decision and Afghanistan skipper has to depart for 23 runs.
- 21:23 (IST)Malinga strikes! Shahzad departs for 7Lasith Malinga provides Sri Lanka with first breakthrough as Mohammad Shahzad departs for 7. Malinga bowled that full on the leg stump, Shahzad was late for his shot and ended up hitting it to short midwicket where Dimuth Karunaratne takes a low dipping catch, just inches from the ground.