Dilshan Shines as SL Survive Stanikzai Scare in Opening Game

What is qualifier Afghanistan’s strength in batting? About 52 per cent feel that it is their big hitting.
Dilshan Shines as SL Survive Stanikzai Scare in Opening Game

KOLKATA: What is qualifier Afghanistan’s strength in batting? About 52 per cent  feel that it is their big hitting. Unfortunately, the Afghans failed to fire in the first ten overs and managed to post 153 for seven, thanks to their skipper Asghar Stanikzai (62 off 47balls, 3x4, 4x6).

But it was not good enough as seasoned campaigner Tillakaratne Dilshan (56-ball 83 not out; 8x4, 3x6) guided Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win in the Super 10 Group 1 match at Eden Gardens on Thursday.

Dilshan showed a lot of character in dashing the Afghan hopes. The 39-year-old was in good touch as he even executed his favourite Dilscoop for a six. Even as other Lankan batsmen struggled for runs, Dilshan stood tall to give Lanka a winning start. The Afghans fought hard but some poor fielding did not help their cause.

Earlier, Afghanistan were bailed out by Stanikzai and Samiullah Shinwari with a 61-run stand off 53 balls. In fact, the Afghans got 102 runs in their last nine overs. The 28-year-old Stanikzai walked in when Lankan bowlers were on top. The Afghan top-order batsmen had a bad day in the office as they were bottled by the accurate Lankan bowlers and they failed to get any boundaries. Stanikzai decided to go for big shots and he began with two big sixes off left-arm spinner Milinda Siriwardana.

Afghanistan 153/7 in 20 ovs (Stanikzai 62, Shenwari 31, T Perera 3/33) lost to Sri Lanka 155/4 in 18.5 ovs (Dilshan 83 n.o).

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