249/10 (50.0 ov)AFG
VS
SL 158/10 (41.2 ov)
CRR: 3.82 | Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 91 runs

AFG beat SL by 91 runs | Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd ODI Match - Commentary

Asia Cup, 2018

Date: Sep 17, 2018 Start Time: 17:00 IST | 11:30 GMT | 15:30 Local
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Match Commentary

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd Match - ODI Commentary

End of Over : 50.0 AFG: 249/10

Right then, the target is not going to be an easy one to chase, especially against a good bowling attack. The Sri Lankan batting failed miserably in the last game and it will be interesting to see if they have recovered from that. So, what do we have in store for us after the break? Will Sri Lanka stay alive in this year's Asia Cup or will Afghanistan book their berth in the top 4? Stay tuned to find out.

Phil Simmons, the Afghanistan head coach, is being interviewed near the ropes and he admits that he is not happy with the final score as he reckons that his team should have scored at least 40 more runs than where they stand now. Credits the Sri Lankan bowlers who bowled well. States that it is very important that when a batsman is set in the middle he should ensure to take his innings till the very end which will help build a bigger team total. Feels that today Rahmat Shah played well and he was the one who they were hoping will stay till the end and get a big one. Ends by saying that on this surface even the seamers are hard to get away if they bowl stump-to-stump line and keep it tight.

As soon as the half-centurion departed, wickets started to fall at regular intervals with Thisara Perera picking five. All of his wickets were at the back-end of the innings. He was well supported by Chameera who bowled with good pace and accuracy. Dananjaya, too, impressed in his comeback game as he finished with a 2-fer. Only Malinga had a bad day at the office as he was taken away for quite a few runs.

Earlier in the day, after electing to bat, the Afghanistan openers got them off to a brisk start. Rahmat Shah then joined Ihsanullah and the two stitched another 50-run stand. The Afghans were going smoothly at that moment but two quick wickets meant that they had to rebuild again. Post that, Rahmat Shah and Shahidi played themselves in with the former getting to his fifty. When the two were batting, 270 certainly looked possible.

An excellent comeback by Sri Lanka as they conceded only 66 runs in the last 10 overs. Afghanistan probably would feel they should have got more, especially after having 7 wickets in the bag heading into the last 10. Rahmat Shah and Shahidi had laid the foundation with an 80-run stand but a cluster of wickets towards the end meant that they never took off.

49.6 W

Thisara Perera to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. OUT! KABOOM! Fifer for Perera, his 4th in ODIs. Mujeeb again attempts for the reverse sweep but Perera bowls it full and right at the base of the middle stump. The batsman misses and sees the furniture behind get demolished. So, 3 wickets and 7 runs in the final over and AFGHANISTAN ARE ALL OUT FOR 249!

49.5 0

Thisara Perera to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Full and wide outside off, Rahman gets overambitious and tries to play the reverse sweep but misses. 1 ball to go, 1 run needed for the 250-run mark.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the new and also the last man in for Afghanistan.

49.4 W

Thisara Perera to Rashid Khan. OUT! Knocks him over! Four-fer for Perera and he is delighted. This is very full and on off, Khan swings but misses. The ball hits Rashid's pads and then deflects onto the stumps. He walks back after playing a good cameo.

49.3 1

Thisara Perera to Aftab Alam. A single of the third but Afghanistan won't mind as Rashid Khan is now on strike. Alam hits it down towards long on for a run.

49.2 6

Thisara Perera to Aftab Alam. SIX! BANG! What a strike off the very first ball you face! That has been nailed! A full ball outside off, Alam clears his front leg and tonks it over the long off fence. So, a wicket and a maximum off the first two balls.

Aftab Alam is the new batsman in.

49.1 W

Thisara Perera to Gulbadin Naib. OUT! The last over starts off with a wicket! A low full toss on middle, Naib swings but it goes off the inner half towards square leg. Akila there, moves swiftly towards his right and takes a very good low catch, inches above the ground. The Sri Lankan players start celebrating but the umpire asks the batsman to wait. He wants to check if the catch is clean. Time for the replays and after a few, the umpire gives it in the favor of the bowling side.

End of Over : 49 13 Runs AFG: 242/7
48.6 1

Lasith Malinga to Gulbadin Naib. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. So, 13 from the penultimate over and Malinga goes for 66 in his 10 and has only taken a wicket. Hasn't been much effective today. Last over to go, can Afghanistan score above 250?

48.5 1

Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan. The seam-up delivery outside off, Khan swings but gets an outside edge down to third man for a run.

48.4 4

Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan. FOUR! Second boundary in the over and Malinga has proven to be expensive today. The slower short ball on middle, Khan pulls it in the gap at the deep mid-wicket region and a boundary results.

48.3 2

Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan. A miscue but a brace! Vital runs these for Afghanistan! Slower ball outside off, Rashid dances down the track and swings. He slices it over the point fielder for a couple.

48.2 4

Lasith Malinga to Rashid Khan. FOUR! Excellently played! A yorker on the pads, Rashid flicks it fine down the leg side and the ball races away to the fine leg fence. Afghanistan need a few more of these.

48.1 1

Lasith Malinga to Gulbadin Naib. Slower ball on middle, Naib works it towards square leg for a run.

End of Over : 48 5 Runs AFG: 229/7
47.6 2

Thisara Perera to Rashid Khan. A fuller length ball around off is creamed through covers and the Afghan pair come back for a comfortable brace.

Rashid Khan is the new batsman in.

47.5 W

Thisara Perera to Najibullah Zadran. OUT! Cutters after cutters meant there was absolutely no pace to work with. Maybe the lack of pace frustrated Zadran as he tries to blindly hoick this one into the leg side. The slower cutter does the trick as the ball takes the inner edge and crashes into the wooden sticks behind. An important wicket this as Zadran is among their leading scorers this year and has the ability to score quickly.

47.4 0

Thisara Perera to Najibullah Zadran. A bit shorter and quicker this one, hurries Zadran into his pull shot. He is eventually a bit late as he completely mistimes it and the ball rolls into the square leg region. Dot ball.

47.3 1

Thisara Perera to Gulbadin Naib. The batsman has driven it through mid-on. They pick up a single.

47.2 1

Thisara Perera to Najibullah Zadran. A slow off cutter has been landed a bit short of good length around off. Zadran, looking for the heave over mid-wicket, is early into the shot and lobs it into the square leg region for a single.

47.1 1

Thisara Perera to Gulbadin Naib. Starts the over with a shortish delivery angling into the stumps. Naib does well to read the length early, rocks back and pulls it confidently towards the deep square leg region for a single.

Thisara Perera comes back into the attack with just 3 overs remaining.

End of Over : 47 5 Runs AFG: 224/6
46.6 2

Lasith Malinga to Najibullah Zadran. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They manage to come back for the second.

46.5 0

Lasith Malinga to Najibullah Zadran. NOT OUT! Once again the batsman is in! Full and on off, Zadran times it towards mid off. Naib sets off for a run but is sent back. The fielder there, collects the ball and hits the stumps at the bowler's end. The players appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and they show that the batsman is well in.

Another direct hit and once again it has been taken upstairs. Naib is the man in question.

46.4 0

Lasith Malinga to Najibullah Zadran. Fuller on off, Zadran strokes it to mid off.

Gulbadin Naib walks out to the middle.

46.3 W

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Nabi. OUT! This time it carries and Thisara Perera takes another excellent catch. Why excellent? 1) He had to make a lot of ground 2) He had to have one eye on the fielder coming from the long off region. Malinga bowls the slower ball on middle, Nabi is foxed completely. He tries to go big but stops his shot as the ball arrives late. It hits the bat and lobs over the bowler's head. Perera, from long on, runs to his left and takes it above his head. The dangerous Nabi walks back without making much of an impact and this can surely make a difference of 10 to 15 runs to the final score.

46.2 2

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Nabi. Just short but a brilliant attempt there. The slower delivery on middle, Nabi swings hard. It goes uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. Dananjaya there runs ahead, puts in a dive but the ball lands just short. He does well to not let the ball go past him. Saves a couple for his side.

46.1 1

Lasith Malinga to Najibullah Zadran. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

Lasith Malinga is back into the attack.

End of Over : 46 11 Runs AFG: 219/5
45.6 6

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi. SIX! Much, much-needed this! Spoils what was a good over till then. 11 from it. The slower ball from Chameera. Nabi clears his front leg and hits it over the long off fence for a biggie. Afghanistan would hope this breaks the shackles. Also, end of Chameera for tonight, he finishes with figures of 10-2-43-1. A good return in the team for him.

45.5 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Najibullah Zadran. Zadran makes room and Chameera follows him. All NZ can do is drop it towards covers for a run.

45.4 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi. The bumper, Nabi pulls it through square leg for a run. Need a boundary here, Afghanistan. Sri Lanka will never mind these singles, especially at this stage.

45.3 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Najibullah Zadran. On the stumps, Zadran pushes it back past the bowler for a run.

45.2 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Najibullah Zadran. NOT OUT! Nabi is in, but that is a dot ball and the Lankans won't complain as long as the ball isn't crossing the boundary ropes. Length again on off, Zadran pushes it towards covers. Nabi sets off for a run but then is sent back by his partner. The fielder at covers, collects it and hits the stumps at the bowler's end. The players appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show, Nabi is well in.

Another direct hit, is Nabi short? He seems to be relaxed.

45.1 2

Dushmantha Chameera to Najibullah Zadran. Full and on off, the batsman strokes it through covers for a brace. Good start to the over for Afghanistan, they need a big over.

Dushmantha Chameera is back on.

End of Over : 45 7 Runs AFG: 208/5
44.6 1

Thisara Perera to Najibullah Zadran. Another single, 7 from the over along with a wicket! Slightly short and outside off, Perera cuts it through covers and gets to the other end.

44.5 1

Thisara Perera to Mohammad Nabi. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.

44.4 1

Thisara Perera to Najibullah Zadran. On off now, Zadran pushes it towards covers for a run.

44.3 2

Thisara Perera to Najibullah Zadran. On the pads, Zadran flicks it through backward square leg for a brace. Gets off the mark straightaway, the big hitter.

Najibullah Zadran is the new man in.

44.2 W

Thisara Perera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. OUT! TIMBER! Shahidi departs and both the set batsmen are now back in the hut! Shahidi seemed to have gone into a shell. He was struggling to score quickly and which is the need of the hour. He falls in an attempt to do so. It's the seam up delivery on middle and leg, Shahidi swings across the line but misses to see his leg stump getting disturbed. Perera strikes in his first over of his new spell and Afghanistan are losing their way.

44.1 2

Thisara Perera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On the shorter side outside off, Shahidi slaps it through covers for a couple.

Thisara Perera, the death bowling specialist, is back on.

End of Over : 44 4 Runs AFG: 201/4
43.6 1

Lasith Malinga to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Good length again on middle, Shahidi pushes it through covers and takes a run. So another tight over here.

43.5 1

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Nabi. Another bouncer and once again Nabi is late into the pull and the ball rolls towards fine leg for another single.

43.4 1

Lasith Malinga to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On the pads, Shahidi clips it towards fine leg for a run.

43.3 0

Lasith Malinga to Hashmatullah Shahidi. But dots will surely hurt Afghanistan! The slower ball on middle, Shahidi works it to mid-wicket.

43.2 1

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Nabi. The bouncer on middle, it hurries the batsman into the pull. He gets a top edge which balloons towards the square leg area and the batsmen take a run. Singles won't hurt Sri Lanka at the moment.

43.1 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Nabi. Full and on middle, Nabi jams it out to mid-wicket.

Change of ends for Lasith Malinga.

End of Over : 43 4 Runs AFG: 197/4
42.6 1

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Nabi. A very full ball around off is comfortably driven through mid on for a single to end the over. Afghanistan will be happy as long as they are not giving their wickets to Sri Lanka's No.1 spinner. The mystery bowler ends with figures of 10-0-39-2.

42.5 1

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Dananjaya, may be, hoping to replicate Shane Warne's Ball of the Century, lands this leg spinner outside leg. It is a bit slower through the air and the batsman has enough time to work in into the leg side and add one run to the team total. Not much turn.

42.4 0

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Tossed up around off, Shahidi comes forward to block it out.

42.3 1

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Nabi. Slower and a bit shorter around off, is punched off the back foot into the covers region for a run.

42.2 1

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.

42.1 0

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman has been hit on the pads as he tried to sweep that one. It would be advisable to play with a straight bat rather than going for the horizontal bat shots.

Akila Dananjaya comes back into the attack.

End of Over : 42 3 Runs AFG: 193/4
41.6 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi. Good length on off, Nabi defends it. So a good over by Chameera, 3 runs and a wicket from it.

41.5 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shorter in length on off, Shahidi pushes it through covers for a run.

41.4 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.

41.3 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Full and outside off, Shahidi hits it over covers for a run.

41.2 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On the pads, Shahidi tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Mohammad Nabi is the new man in.

41.1 W

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. OUT! In the air... and taken! No ton for Shah and a timely wicket for Sri Lanka. They have gotten rid of the well-set batsman. Chameera gets his first and breaks the 80-run stand. He bowls a well-disguised slower ball on middle, Rahmat is completely deceived as he is a touch early into the shot. He only manages to hit it high up in the air towards long on. Perera there, first runs ahead but then takes a few steps back and holds on to complete a tumbling catch. Rahmat Shah walks back after playing a very good innings, his partnership with Shahidi has set the platform for the big hitters coming in.

Dushmantha Chameera is brought back on.

End of Over : 41 7 Runs AFG: 190/3
40.6 1

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Another short ball, it is nicely pulled to deep square leg for a run. 7 from Malinga's 7th.

40.5 4

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. MISFIELD AND FOUR! That releases all the pressure. Poor by Akila, he should be stopping that. The bouncer on the body of the batsman. Shah swivels and pulls it towards fine leg. Akila there runs but dives over the ball and concedes a boundary.

40.4 0

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Another slower ball on off, Shah pushes it to covers.

40.3 0

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. The bumper on middle, the batsman thinks about the pull but the ball passes through even before he could attempt the shot.

40.2 1

Lasith Malinga to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Slower ball and nicely played! Shahidi with soft hands guides it down to third man for a run.

40.1 1

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Slower ball on middle, the batsman eases it down to long on and begins Powerplay 3 with a single.

Powerplay 3 has been signaled. Now, a maximum of 5 fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle. Change of ends for the slinger, Lasith Malinga.

End of Over : 40 5 Runs AFG: 183/3
39.6 0

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Another dot! So despite a boundary early on, only 5 came from the over. This is on the stumps, Shahidi works it to mid-wicket.

39.5 1

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. With the turn, Shah flicks it through square leg for a run.

39.4 0

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Tosses it up on off, Shah pushes it back to the bowler. This is what Afghanistan have to learn, they got a boundary early on, they should rotate the strike and make it an 8-run or a 9-run over but that is where they are struggling. And this is the second dot after the boundary.

39.3 0

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Fuller and on the pads, Shah tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

39.2 4

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Bad ball and Akila pays the price. Short and outside off, Shah has all the time in the world to rock back and cut it through point, beating the diving fielder at point as the ball races away.

39.1 0

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. On the pads, it is worked to short fine leg.

Akila Dananjaya is back on.

End of Over : 39 3 Runs AFG: 178/3
38.6 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. Yes, he can! Just three from it as Shah strokes it through covers for a run.

38.5 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. In the air but on the bounce! Full on middle, Shah checks his shot and it goes uppishly but well short of mid on. A good over till now, can he end it well?

38.4 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. On the stumps, kept out.

38.3 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On the shorter side outside off, the batsman plays it towards third man for a run.

38.2 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Now from around the wicket, bowls it short and on off, the batsman guides it to point.

38.1 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. On the pads, Shah nudges it fine down the leg side for a run.

Dushmantha Chameera is back on.

End of Over : 38 5 Runs AFG: 175/3
37.6 1

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Eases it through mid on for a run.

37.5 0

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Fuller on off, Shah drives it to mid off.

37.4 0

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Fuller in length on off, Shah strokes it to covers.

37.3 2

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Dropped! A tough chance but you have seen these taken! And Mathews would have loved for that to be caught as they are in a desperate need of a wicket. Also, it was of the set batsman, Shah. Malinga bowls the slower one on middle, Shah flicks it uppishly towards deep square leg. Dasun Shanaka there runs in and puts in a dive but can't hang onto it. The batsmen take two as a life is granted to Shah. The dropped catches against Bangladesh cost the Lankans, will this also?

37.2 0

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. A yorker on middle. Shah jams it out to long on and takes a run.

37.1 2

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Nice little dropkick over mid-wicket. Full and on the pads, Shah flicks it over mid-wicket for a couple.

End of Over : 37 4 Runs AFG: 170/3
36.6 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

36.5 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. On the bounce! Is that the first sign of them now looking to step on the gas? This was fired full on middle, Shah goes for the slog sweep but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket.

36.4 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Darts it on middle, Shahidi pushes it down to long on for a run.

36.3 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. Quicker on the pads, the batsman works it through square leg and a single results.

36.2 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. With the angle, the batsman eases it down to long on for a run.

36.1 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Jayasuriya who is into the attack, fires it outside off, the batsman guides it to short third man.

End of Over : 36 10 Runs AFG: 166/3
35.6 1

Lasith Malinga to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single.

35.5 0

Lasith Malinga to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Very full and zooming into the base of the stumps. This kid is impressing with his classy shot-making as he drives this politely through mid off but cannot get a run as the placement is lacking.

35.4 2

Lasith Malinga to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Malinga needs to be around 6 inches more on the off stump line. He fires this on the pads again and Shahidi is a good enough player to flick it easily to the square leg region to get a single.

35.3 1

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Starts from outside off, off cutter. Shah reaches to the ball and nudges it to the square leg region to take a run.

35.2 1

Lasith Malinga to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A fuller length delivery. The batsman drives this through the covers and they pick up a single.

35.2 wd

Lasith Malinga to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Wide! The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. The umpire signals a wide.

35.1 4

Lasith Malinga to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! Smart, very smart. It's not always about brute force and power, some clever thinking helps as well. Malinga starts with a shortish delivery on middle. Shahidi leans back and angles his bat in such a way that the ball, from the bat face, flies over the vacant slip cordon because of Lasith's pace. The ball crosses the boundary line like a tracer bullet.

Lasith Malinga, the king of block-holes, comes back into the attack.

End of Over : 35 7 Runs AFG: 156/3
34.6 1

Thisara Perera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.

34.5 1

Thisara Perera to Rahmat Shah. Now he punches this through covers and takes a run.

34.4 0

Thisara Perera to Rahmat Shah. Fuller on middle, Shah works it to mid-wicket.

34.3 4

Thisara Perera to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Take that! That has been hit with authority! On a length around off, Shah stands tall and slaps it over the bowler's head and the ball races away. He gets to his fifty in style. 12th in this format. He raises his bat to soak in the applause from the crowd. Shah has built this innings very nicely and would not want to throw it away now. A ton is on offer and the batting team would love if he gets there. Rahmat holds the key if Afghanistan are to have any chance of getting to their desired total and the stylish right-handed batsman knows that well. Time to show some character, take responsibility and carry the team forward. That is how strong teams are built, when good players take matters into their own hands to ensure that there is at least a contest, if not a victory for their side.

34.2 1

Thisara Perera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. NOT OUT! Well, well in! Shahidi pushes this towards mid off and sets off for a run. Rahmat this time is the one to respond late. The fielder runs to the ball, collects it cleanly and hits the bull's eye at the striker's end. The players appeal, the umpire at first shakes his head but then takes it upstairs. Just to be sure. Replays roll in and they show the batsman to be well in.

A direct hit at the striker's end! Shah is the man in question, he seems to be safe but you never know with direct hits.

34.1 0

Thisara Perera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Takes a few steps down the track and Perera bowls it a touch short. The batsman works it to mid-wicket.

Thisara Perera is back on.

End of Over : 34 3 Runs AFG: 149/3
33.6 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. 0,0,0,1,1,1 is how this over reads as Shahidi eases the last ball down to long on for a run. Happy to nudge around, these two batsmen.

33.5 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. Very full on middle, the batsman flicks it through mid-wicket and takes a run.

33.4 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. A single to follow as it is creamed through covers but only for a run.

33.3 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Uses his feet and strokes it back to the bowler. Three dots in a row now.

33.2 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flighted ball on off, Shahidi pushes it back to the bowler who misfields but no run conceded.

33.1 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter and outside off, Shahidi guides it to point.

Time for Drinks. The Afghans are marching on, slowly but steadily. 17 overs remaining and they will hope to get at least another 100 more, considering they have 7 wickets still in the bag. The Lankans know the threat that the Afghanistan bowlers possess, especially their mystery spinners, hence they will be keen on wrapping up the innings at the earliest.

End of Over : 33 5 Runs AFG: 146/3
32.6 1

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi has pushed this flighted ball it to the cover region. They cross over for a run to be added on the scoreboard.

32.5 0

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

32.4 0

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. That one comes in on landing and beats the batsman completely. Shahidi tries to push at it but misses and gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. The fielding side is asking the question. The umpire isn't interested in the appeal and gives a good decision.

32.3 1

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Driven towards the mid on region. One run added to the total.

32.2 2

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Lands it a bit shorter of a good length and the speed on that is slow enough for Shah to rock back and punch this through covers to pick up a brace.

32.1 1

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The smart spinner starts his new spell with a tossed up one in line with the stumps. Shahidi walks across a bit and flicks it into the square leg region to take a single.

Akila Dananjaya comes back into the attack.

End of Over : 32 5 Runs AFG: 141/3
31.6 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman has driven it through mid on. The batsmen have run through for a single.

31.5 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. Uses his feet and chips it towards long off for a run.

31.4 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Hesitation but no harm done! This is a shorter and a quicker delivery on off, Shahidi guides it towards point. The non-striker wants a run but Shahidi is late in responding. He then goes for it and makes it in time.

31.3 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. Fires it on off, the batsman tucks it towards mid-wicket and they go for a run. The fielder scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end but the batsman is in.

31.2 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Drop and run! Really, really smart cricket by the two. This is on off, Shahidi taps it towards point for a run.

31.1 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Floats it up on off, Shahidi strokes it towards covers.

End of Over : 31 6 Runs AFG: 136/3
30.6 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.

30.5 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. Bends his back on this one and bowls it on a length around off, Rahmat tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his body.

30.4 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.

30.3 4

Dushmantha Chameera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. FOUR! A bit of Kumar Sangakkara in that, says Dean Jones on-air! Full and wide outside off, Shahidi drives it square on the off side. The fielder from third man runs to his left, dives and he seems to have stopped it. The umpire takes it upstairs to check and the replays show that he had touched the ropes while pushing the ball back in.

30.2 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Another length ball around off, Shahidi guides it towards point.

30.1 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. Right off the middle again but to the man in the deep! Slightly short outside off, Rahmat pushes it through covers and a run is taken.

End of Over : 30 3 Runs AFG: 130/3
29.6 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

29.5 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Flatter around off, it comes in with the drift. Shahidi at the very last moment, guides it to point.

29.4 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. Again with the turn clips it through mid-wicket. This time closer to the fielder in the deep so only a run.

29.3 2

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. Now with the turn, he flicks it through mid-wicket. The placement is excellent and the batsmen complete two easily.

29.2 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. Floats it up on off, Shah strokes it to covers.

29.1 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. Driven towards the mid on region.

End of Over : 29 7 Runs AFG: 127/3
28.6 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On off again, Shahidi defends it. So another good over for Afghanistan, 7 from it and 14 have come from the last two.

28.5 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. Well played! Short outside off, Rahmat rolls his wrists on top of the delivery and pulls it all along the ground to deep square leg for a run.

28.4 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Edged but a run! Good length around off, slanting away from the batsman. He tries to defend but gets an outside edge down to third man for a run.

28.3 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. Short and outside off, Shah guides it through covers and takes a run.

28.2 4

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Lovely shot! Crisp and a boundary! On the pads, Shah won't miss out there, he clips it through mid-wicket and the ball races away.

28.1 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. On a length around off, the ball is pushed to covers.

Dushmantha Chameera is back on.

End of Over : 28 7 Runs AFG: 120/3
27.6 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Fires it on middle, Shahidi works it to mid-wicket.

27.5 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. On off, Rahmat pushes it down to long off and a run results.

27.4 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Very full on off, Shahidi drives it through mid off for a run.

27.3 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Angles it into the batsman who strokes it back to the bowler.

27.2 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. Good cricket this, got a boundary on the last ball and now takes a single by working it to the leg side.

27.1 4

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. FOUR! Poor ball and put away! Very short and outside off, Rahmat goes back and slaps it through covers. No fielder in the deep and a boundary results.

End of Over : 27 3 Runs AFG: 113/3
26.6 1

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Tossed up on the stumps, Rahmat strokes it down to long on for a run.

26.5 0

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. The leg spinner but on the shorter side, Rahmat pushes it towards mid-wicket.

26.4 1

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Eases it down to long off to get off the mark.

26.3 0

Akila Dananjaya to Hashmatullah Shahidi. On the stumps, kept out.

26.2 1

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Works it with the turn to the leg side for a run.

26.1 0

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Tosses this up on off, Shah keeps it out.

Hashmatullah Shahidi walks out to bat.

End of Over : 26 1 Runs AFG: 110/3
25.6 W

Shehan Jayasuriya to Asghar Afghan. OUT! Huge, huge blow to Afghanistan! Their skipper departs without troubling the scorers a lot. Two quick wickets for Sri Lanka and they are now right back into this. Good change in pace there by Jayasuriya, he fires it on middle, Afghan tries to work it on the leg side but he misses, maybe due to the pace of the delivery. It hits him on the pads, the players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Asghar starts walking straightaway as he knows he is a dead duck.

25.5 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Asghar Afghan. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

25.4 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Asghar Afghan. Tosses this up on middle, Asghar works it towards mid-wicket. He wants a run but is sent back by his partner and rightly so.

25.3 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Asghar Afghan. With the turn, Afghan works it to mid-wicket.

25.2 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. Uses his feet and strokes it to wide long on for a run.

25.1 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

End of Over : 25 3 Runs AFG: 109/2
24.6 1

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. A slower and fuller ball around off, Shah leans forward and drives this to mid on with utmost grace to pick up a single on the last ball of the over.

24.5 1

Akila Dananjaya to Asghar Afghan. Driven through the covers by the batsman. One run added to the total.

The Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan walks into the middle. Can he come up with a captani's innings?

24.4 W

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. OUT! That is how you use the DRS system, well done Sri Lanka. That looked close but the batsman had some hope, however, he has to depart now. Dananjaya tosses this one up on the middle stump line. Ihsanullah tries the sweep shot against the turn but goes right across the line of the stumps. That's too much risk taken on a single ball as he is struck in front. The Sri Lankan team is up and shouting, they are sure they have got their scalp but the umpire disappoints them. Mathews discusses with his troops and then decides to go upstairs. Maybe a punt but it's worth taking as it is for a big wicket of the well-set opener. The replays roll in and they show that it has pitched on the leg stump line and straightened to hit Ihsanullah right in front. The on-field decision is overruled and the second Afghan wicket goes down. Now, the question is, will they collapse or continue progressing towards a competitive total?

The Sri Lankans have gone for the review. The batsman in question is Ihsanullah. Looked tight to the naked eye. But pitching outside leg might just save him.

24.3 0

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. It's been driven superbly through the covers but to the fielder positioned there.

24.2 0

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.

24.1 0

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. Tossed up on off, pushed back tentatively to the bowler.

24.1 wd

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. WIDE! Starts with one that slides down the ;leg side. Ihsanullah goes for the sweep but misses and the umpire gives it a wide.

End of Over : 24 7 Runs AFG: 106/1
23.6 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Ihsanullah. Works it with the turn towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

23.5 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

23.4 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Ihsanullah. Quicker again outside off, Ihsanullah guides it towards short third man for a quick run.

23.3 4

Shehan Jayasuriya to Ihsanullah. FOUR! Poor ball and rightly put away! This releases all the pressure. On the pads, Ihsanullah flicks it fine down the leg side and the ball races away to the fence.

23.2 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Ihsanullah. A fumble but no run conceded! Ihsanullah steps down the track and takes it on the full. He drives it straight to Mathews at covers, he fumbles but the batsmen do not take a run.

23.1 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Ihsanullah. Fires it full and on off, the ball is driven back to the bowler.

End of Over : 23 2 Runs AFG: 99/1
22.6 0

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

22.5 1

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. A bit shorter this on off, the batsman punches it into covers to take a single.

22.4 1

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.

22.3 0

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. This is what this bowler brings to the table. He tosses this one up, Shah has no idea if it will come in or turn away. He plays through the line of the delivery but is beaten as the ball spins in and raps him on the front pad. The Lankans go up in unison but the umpire is not interested at all. Spinning too much, probably.

22.2 0

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Similar ball and again punched off the back foot into covers.

The magician, Akila Dananjaya, comes back into the attack.

22.1 0

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

End of Over : 22 1 Runs AFG: 97/1
21.6 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Ihsanullah. Driven through the covers by the batsman to end a good over from Jayasuriya.

21.5 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Ihsanullah. This is really tight bowling from the youngster. Keeps it fuller in line with the stumps, driven towards the mid-off region.

21.4 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Ihsanullah. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

21.3 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Ihsanullah. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads but straight to square leg.

21.2 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. A bit quicker attacking the stumps, pushed back towards mid on for a single.

21.1 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. A straight delivery is pushed back to the bowler.

End of Over : 21 2 Runs AFG: 96/1
20.6 0

Lasith Malinga to Ihsanullah. A dot to end a good over by Malinga! Back of a length again, Ihsanullah defends it solidly.

20.5 1

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Fuller again on middle, Shah pushes it through mid on for a run.

20.4 0

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Shortish again on middle, Shah stands tall and defends it out.

20.4 wd

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. A good change in length by Malinga as he bangs it short. The ball bounces over the batsman's head and the umpire signals it a wide.

20.3 0

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

20.2 0

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Good length again on off, kept out.

20.1 0

Lasith Malinga to Rahmat Shah. Almost! Malinga bowls it on a length around off, the batsman goes for a drive through the off side but he gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Lasith Malinga is back on.

End of Over : 20 2 Runs AFG: 94/1
19.6 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.

19.5 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. Keeps it full on the stumps, Shah drives it straight to the bowler.

19.4 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. The batsman has driven it straight down the ground.

19.3 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. This fuller length ball on off is been driven superbly through the covers. But the placement is what is lacking and no runs result.

19.2 0

Shehan Jayasuriya to Rahmat Shah. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

19.1 1

Shehan Jayasuriya to Ihsanullah. The batsman has driven it through mid off. They have run through for a single.

Shehan Jayasuriya to roll his arm over.

End of Over : 19 9 Runs AFG: 92/1
18.6 1

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. Short again, the pull is out again but it's mistimed and the batsmen cross over for a single as the ball rolls down into the vacant square leg region.

18.5 4

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. FOUR! A majestic pull for a boundary. Perera bangs this one to get it high up to the batsman's chest. Ihsanullah swivels and pulls is with a strong bottom hand. The power is so good on that shot that the fielder at deep square leg had a small distance to cover to his left but still cannot cut off the racing ball.

18.4 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. The batsman works it down the leg side.

18.3 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. Short again. Ihsanullah must have thought, one more four, but the execution is as bad as it was good in the previous delivery and he is beaten.

18.2 4

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. FOUR! Some really good aggression from Afghanistan. Looks like Ihsanullah is well set now, is watching the ball like a basket ball and his side will dearly want him to be there in the middle as long as possible.

18.1 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. The batsman works it down the leg side but the fielder at square leg cuts it down. No chance of a run there. Good tight fielding by Sri Lanka. These small things can build up that extra pressure on the batsmen which results in them playing a rash stroke and eventually giving away their wickets.

End of Over : 18 7 Runs AFG: 83/1
17.6 2

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. De Silva fires this one on the legs of Shah, the batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot into the square leg region. The batsmen have picked up a brace to end the over.

17.5 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ihsanullah. Another single! Good batting by the two, keeping the scoreboard ticking along as it is worked through square leg for a single.

17.4 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ihsanullah. With the turn, it is worked towards mid-wicket.

17.3 2

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ihsanullah. On the stumps, Ihsanullah eases it towards long on. The batsmen complete one, seeing the fielder go towards the ball quite slowly, they go for a second and complete it.

17.2 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. Very full again around off, Rahmat squeezes it out to long off and takes a run.

17.1 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ihsanullah. Slower through the air and fuller on off, Ihsanullah strokes it down to long off and changes ends.

End of Over : 17 1 Runs AFG: 76/1
16.6 0

Thisara Perera to Rahmat Shah. A dot to end a tight over by Perera! Length around off, Shah guides it to the man at point.

16.5 1

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. With the angle, it is tucked around the corner for a run.

16.4 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. Punched off the backfoot by the batsman.

16.3 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. Another ball in the length area. Ihsanullah keeps it out.

16.2 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. A huge appeal but going over! Ihsanullah takes a few steps down the track and tries to flick the length ball around middle. He misses and it hits him around the knee roll. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head and rightly so as Hawk Eye later on shows the ball to be going over.

16.1 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. Good length around middle, the batter pushes it to mid on.

End of Over : 16 4 Runs AFG: 75/1
15.6 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ihsanullah. A very full ball around off, driven towards the mid off region to end the over with a fourth single in the over.

15.5 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. The batsman works this straighter ball into the leg side and takes one more single. The Afghanistan total is moving ahead slowly but steadily.

15.4 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. Shah drives the ball straight down the ground.

15.3 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ihsanullah. Driven again through the covers but finds the gap to pinch a single.

15.2 0

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ihsanullah. The batsman drives this through the covers.

15.1 1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah. Tossed up around off, is driven to mid off for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva is the new bowler into the attack.

End of Over : 15 7 Runs AFG: 71/1
14.6 1

Thisara Perera to Rahmat Shah. Continues to fire it on the batman's pads and continues conceding singles.

14.5 1

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. Perera aiming the pads and is being milked. Again on the leg stump line, flicked towards mid-wicket for yet another single.

14.4 1

Thisara Perera to Rahmat Shah. On the pads, flicked to square leg for a single.

14.3 0

Thisara Perera to Rahmat Shah. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

14.2 1

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. On the batsman's legs this one, Ihsanullah works it down the leg side to add one to the total.

14.1 3

Thisara Perera to Rahmat Shah. Classy straight drive, deserved four for this. Perera keeps it on a good length around off. Shah, very elegantly, drives it straight and the ball beats the mid on fielder to his left. He runs and chases it down to save a run for his team.

Thisara Perera comes back into the attack.

End of Over : 14 2 Runs AFG: 64/1
13.6 0

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. The batsman has driven that ball straight back.

13.5 1

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Very clever by the bowler as he flights this one a bit more and keeps it on a full length around off. Shah leans forward and drives this nicely to long on to change the strike.

13.4 1

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. Very full but on the pads, Shah turns it down towards the man at 45 to pick up a single.

13.3 0

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. A fuller and quicker ball is driven straight back.

13.2 0

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. Tossed up ball on middle and off, punched back to the bowler.

13.1 0

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

End of Over : 13 2 Runs AFG: 62/1
12.6 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. On off and on a shorter length, the batsman is solid in defense.

12.5 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. Well played again! On a length around off, Ihsanullah guides it down to third man and takes a run.

12.4 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. Nicely pulled but only a run! Shortish and on the body, Rahmat swivels and pulls it down to fine leg for a run.

12.3 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. Shortish on off, Shah, off the back foot, keeps it out.

12.2 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. Hits the length hard on off, Rahmat pushes it to the man at covers.

12.1 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmat Shah. Another length ball outside off, Rahmat makes a leave.

End of Over : 12 10 Runs AFG: 60/1
11.6 3

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Dropped? Technically yes, but it would have been a stunner. A chance of a second wicket in the over is gone abegging. The magician tosses this one up around off. Shah waits back and goes for the drive through covers. The ball lands and turns away marginally to take the outside edge and the nut flies past the right of the diving Angelo Mathews at first slip. He tries well there but just could not reach to the ball.

11.5 0

Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

11.4 W

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. OUT! After a good start by the Afghanistan opening pair, it's Dananjaya's magic with his fingers that has done Shahzad in here. The wily spinner tosses this around off. Shahzad goes for the reverse sweep but misses. It spins in ever so slightly and hits Shahzad on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. First blood drawn by Sri Lanka. They will look to pick a couple more soon to build some pressure.

11.3 0

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. Punched off the back foot into the cover region.

11.2 0

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. The batsman defends this flighted ball from within the crease.

11.1 6

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. SIX! Super sixer by Shahzad. This is like the attacking opener we have seen so much of in the past. Shahzad dances down the track as soon as the ball leaves Dananjaya's hand. Does not get completely to the pitch of this tossed up ball just outside off. He goes through with the swing of his bat though, connects magnificently for the ball to fly over the long off boundary for a brutal maximum.

11.1 wd

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. Wide. The batsman tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side. The Umpire signals a wide.

End of Over : 11 5 Runs AFG: 50/0
10.6 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

10.5 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. A good length ball on off and angling into Shahzad. The batsman tries to push at it but gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. They pick up a single.

10.4 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Bouncer again but this one is maybe 2 to 3 inches lower than the previous one and hence not given as an extra. Shahzad ducks under it.

10.4 wd

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Wide! Short but a bit too short this one. Wide given.

10.3 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. Leg bye! A bit shorter of a good length on the off stump and shaping into the batsman. Ihsanullah misses his flick to get hit on his thigh pad. The batsmen have taken a single as the ball rolls down into the square leg region.

10.2 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Chameera over-compensates and lands this short and wide of off. Shahzad cuts hard but to the fielder at deep point as they cross over for a run.

10.1 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. Starts with a short of a length ball angling into the batsman. Ihsanullah does well to come inside the line of the ball to tuck it into the square leg region for a single.

Powerplay 2 has been signaled! Now a maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the ring till the 40th over. Also, Chameera is back on.

End of Over : 10 2 Runs AFG: 45/0
9.6 0

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

9.5 0

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

9.5 wd

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. Wide! The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman

9.4 0

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. Slower, shorter and wide of off. Shahzad misses out as he tries to cut this one but gets an under edge.

9.3 0

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. A bit slower and shorter than full length. Shahzad goes back and tries to punch it through the off side but the ball just does not come onto his bat and he mistimes it into covers.

9.2 0

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. A shorter in length ball is cut straight to point.

9.1 1

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. Tossed up on the stumps, Ihsanullah has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.

End of Over : 9 8 Runs AFG: 43/0
8.6 2

Thisara Perera to Mohammad Shahzad. Strays on the pads. Shahzad waits for it to come and nudges it fine into the leg side to pick up two.

8.5 0

Thisara Perera to Mohammad Shahzad. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

8.4 0

Thisara Perera to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad looks to slash at this wide of off delivery but gets beaten.

8.3 4

Thisara Perera to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! A bit unconventional but very effective and that is what matters in the end. Perera goes for the surprise short ball but Shahzad is alert enough as he pulls this one very Shahzad-esque, over the mid-wicket region. The fielder at the square leg fence tries to run across and stop, but cannot and Afghanistan get a boundary.

8.2 2

Thisara Perera to Mohammad Shahzad. Perera pulls his length a bit outside off, Shahzad punches this off the back foot into the cover-point region for a brace.

8.1 0

Thisara Perera to Mohammad Shahzad. A full length delivery is crisply driven but straight to the fielder at cover.

End of Over : 8 3 Runs AFG: 35/0
7.6 1

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. Again, Shahzad looks to go big with a slog sweep. He does not connect properly and the ball goes towards deep mid-wicket for a run. So not a lot of purchase for Akila in his first. The pacers also did not receive a lot of help from the surface, seems to be a belter.

7.5 1

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. A little too full this time on middle, Ihsanullah eases it to long on and gets to the other end.

7.4 0

Akila Dananjaya to Ihsanullah. The off spinner on middle, Ihsanullah reads it and with the turn, works it to square leg. No signs of turn as of now for the spinner.

7.3 1

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad looks to take on the spinner by using his feet. Akila sees that and shortens his length. MS adjusts and tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

7.2 0

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. Slightly shorter in length and outside off, Shahzad goes for the cut but mistimes it to point. The shot was not on there, the ball was a little too close.

7.1 0

Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad. He starts off with a tossed up delivery on the stumps, Shahzad pushes it back to the bowler.

Spinner introduced early! Akila Dananjaya is into the attack.

End of Over : 7 4 Runs AFG: 32/0
6.6 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery to end a good over by Perera.

6.5 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

6.4 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. A bit outside off and shorter in length. Ihsanullah looks to dab it into the third man region but misses the ball completely.

6.3 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.

6.2 4

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. FOUR! A super cover drive. So, so good to the eyes. Perera gives a bit of width on this one and Ihsanullah cashes in. He leans forward and drives through covers to bring up a beautiful boundary which takes him on 14.

6.1 0

Thisara Perera to Ihsanullah. Almost a dream start for Perera as he lands his first delivery on a length just around off. The ball hits the deck and nips away ever so slightly to take Ihsanullah's outside edge. The edge though is very thin and the ball falls short of the lone fielder at second slip.

Thisara Perera is the first change bowler.

End of Over : 6 0 Runs AFG: 28/0
5.6 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. A bouncer to end the over! A maiden. Shahzad this time evades it. So a good over by Chameera, he has really bowled in good areas till now. Has gone only for 7 in the 3 overs bowled by him.

5.5 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Another good bumper, 5 dots now. Shahzad seems to struggle with the short ball and it was quite evident in that shot. He awkwardly tried to pull it but gets beaten.

5.4 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Goes back to bowling length around off, also gets it to shape away. Shahzad quite easily guides it to point. 4 dots in the over so far.

5.3 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Good bumper there, it was quick and a well-directed one. Shahzad, however, tries to play the upper cut, a shot which he played twice in the last over. This time he does not connect as it was too close to the body.

5.2 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Now bowls it on the stumps, cramping the opener for room. Shahzad defends it onto the ground.

5.1 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Full and wide outside off, Chameera trying to find Shahzad's outside edge. MS only plays one way, he goes after it away from his body. Luckily for him the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

End of Over : 5 10 Runs AFG: 28/0
4.6 4

Lasith Malinga to Ihsanullah. FOUR! Malinga dishes this on a length a bit outside off, Ihsanullah plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. The timing and placement is so good that the ball races to the boundary in a jiffy.

4.5 1

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. Keeps it a bit shorter of a length around off, Shahzad plays a similar shot to the previous one but this time the ball falls way short of the third man fielder and the batsmen take a single.

4.4 4

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! Clever, cheeky and skillful. Malinga changes his length completely and bangs this one short outside off. Shahzad, initially looking to sway back is watching the ball continuously and at the last moment decides to raise his bat for the ball to kiss the bat face and fly over the slip region. The fielder at third man tries hard to run, dive and take the difficult chance but he misses the ball completely as it rolls across the boundary.

4.4 wd

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. Wide! The champion bowler misses his line this time and concedes an extra run.

4.3 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. A bit shorter in length around off, Shahzad punches it to covers.

4.2 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad gets up on his toes to block the length ball onto the ground.

4.1 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

End of Over : 4 7 Runs AFG: 18/0
3.6 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. Keeps this a bit wide of off and the batsman decides to leave it alone to end the over.

3.5 2

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. Lands it a bit shorter of a length around off, the batsman opens the bat face a bit late to steer it past point. The batsmen have come back for a brace.

3.4 1

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Miscue but safe! Chameera smartly slips in a skiddy and surprising bouncer. Shahzad, from the front foot, tries to pull this into the mid-wicket region but the ball gets big on him and he ends up lobbing this one just over the bowler. The attacking Shahzad survives.

3.3 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Played to the point region by the batsman.

3.2 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. Big appeal but turned down. Chameera comes back strong with a length ball around off and with a bit of inward movement on landing. Shahzad looking to flick off the back foot is beaten by the movement and gets rapped on the pads. Sri Lanka appeal but the umpire shakes his head horizontally. Hawk Eye later shows that it was umpire's call as the ball was clipping the top of the stumps.

3.1 4

Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! Cracking shot! The best so far. Chameera keeps it fuller and a bit wide of off. Shahzad, with utmost flamboyance, goes down on one knee and plays a smashing, lofted cover drive for a scintillating boundary.

End of Over : 3 5 Runs AFG: 11/0
2.6 4

Lasith Malinga to Ihsanullah. FOUR! Malinga strays again but this time Ihsanullah flicks it nonchalantly over the mid-wicket region for a classy boundary. Super shot, a confidence boosting one.

2.5 0

Lasith Malinga to Ihsanullah. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

2.4 1

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. Leg bye! Slower ball this and it almost does Shahzad in as he gets his bat down awkwardly. He tries to put bat on ball desperately but the ball dips and hits him on the front toe. Sri Lanka appeal in unison as the batsmen run a leg bye. The umpire negates it. Going down may be. Well bowled Malinga!

2.3 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. A shorter in length ball is defended off the back foot.

2.2 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. Malinga goes for the magic delivery, one that starts from the leg stump line and removes the off bail. But this time the ball does not swing and Shahzad flicks it to square leg.

2.1 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. Good start to the new over by the experienced pacer as he keeps it in the corridor around off. Shahzad stays back within his crease and keeps it out.

End of Over : 2 0 Runs AFG: 6/0
1.6 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. A full length ball on off, Ihsanullah lunges forward and crisply drives but straight to mid off.

1.5 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. A full length ball is defended solidly off the front foot.

1.4 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. Lands this one wide of off, the batsman shoulders arms.

1.3 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. Chameera getting a good away shape on the ball. Will this movement reap rewards for the young pacer? He lands this one a bit shorter than good length around off. Ihsanullah stays back and defends.

1.2 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. A bit straighter this again on a good length, Ihsanullah flicks it but to the man at mid-wicket.

1.1 0

Dushmantha Chameera to Ihsanullah. Good start from Chameera as he keeps this on a good length on off, Ihsanullah defends off the front foot.

Dushmantha Chameera will bowl from the other end with the second new ball.

End of Over : 1 6 Runs AFG: 6/0
0.6 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. Fuller ball on the stumps, it is driven to mid off.

0.5 2

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. Malinga strays on the batsman's pads and concedes a brace as Shahzad flicks it into the gap in mid-wicket.

0.4 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. Defended from within the crease.

0.3 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. A shorter of a length ball on off, Shahzad keeps it out off the back foot.

0.2 4

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. FOUR! They say if you want to slash, then slash hard. This is exactly what Shahzad has done here. Malinga dishes this length ball a bit wide of off. The attacking right-hander goes after it and slashes at it. The ball takes the outer half of the bat and goes over the gully region. First boundary for Afghanistan. Brave cricket there from Shahzad as he takes Malinga on straight away.

0.1 0

Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad. The old warhorse starts with a short of a length ball on middle and off. Shahzad stays in his crease, stands tall and blocks it out.

We are done and dusted with the respective national anthems. The umpires and the Sri Lankan players make their way out. The Afghanistan opening pair of Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah stride out to the middle with the former taking strike. Malinga will start the proceedings for Sri Lanka. Here we go...

The Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews says he would have also batted first if the coin had fallen down in his favor. Reckons that the surface looks a good one, with a decent covering of grass. States that the ball may come on well during the initial overs. Feels that the more you think about performing and winning, the more you put pressure on yourself. Mentions that it is very important to go out there and enjoy. Ends by saying that Sri Lanka are lucky to have a player like Malinga and he hopes that the pacer contributes today as he always does.

The Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan says they are eager to go out and perform. Adds further that they are now used to these (UAE) conditions. States that they have played on this ground quite a few times in the past and will try and use that experience today. Ends by informing that they are going in with one all-rounder, three specialist spinners and one part-time spinner.

Toss - Afghanistan win the toss and elect to bat.

Pitch report - Ramiz Raja says this is a different one from that in Dubai. Adds further it was very hot and hence it was not easy to prepare the tracks. Further says the curator has got an opportunity to grow some grass on the track. Feels, there will not be too much sideways movement but the pitch will not crumble due to the grass. Reckons the dew will not be an issue and the captain winning the toss should bat first.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, have a chance to prove their mettle. They will also be eager to get off the mark in style. Their squad is filled with a lot of talented players but the Islanders have experience on their side. This will probably give them the edge heading into the game. Also the return of Akila Dananjaya will be a boost for them. Both the games, so far, have been one-sided affairs and let us hope we have an exciting one today.

Hello and welcome to the third game of the 2018 Asia Cup and the second game of Group B. Sri Lanka will lock horns with Afghanistan in a do-or-die game for the Lankan Lions. We will have to wait and see if they have recovered from the drubbing they received at the hands of Bangladesh.

End of Over : 41.2 SL: 158/10

So Afghanistan make a strong statement by beating a team like Sri Lanka. Their impressive rise in international cricket is such an inspirational story. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, need to dig in deep, identify and rectify their short comings and mistakes that they are repeating. They need to find some inspiration from their past victories and achievements of their former heroes. Tomorrow, we are all set to witness India taking on Hong Kong in their first game of the tournament. India, without their captain Kohli, will be keen to perform well and prove that they are not a one-man army. Hong Kong will look to come up with a contest and give a hard time to the Asian giants. We eagerly await the exciting contest to start tomorrow at 1530 local (1130 GMT). Till then take care, good bye, stay healthy and most importantly, have fun. Until tomorrow, its adios from our side.

Man of the Match Rahmat Shah firstly thanks god. Says that the wicket was good which helped him bat well. Adds saying that he was waiting for the lose balls. Ends saying that it was an important match and he is happy to be the Man of the Match.

Asghar Afghan says that it was a very important game because Sri Lanka are a good team. Credits his batters and openers for giving them a good start. Adds saying that his players executed their plans well and gives credit to his fielders too. On the recent success he says that they are a good team and want to win every game which helps them play positive. On being asked if they can win the Asia Cup he reckons that if they bat well and set a good target, they have the spinners to defend the target. Ends by thanking the crowd for their support.

Angelo Mathews is shocked by the performance of the whole team. Stresses that they couldn't reach 150 on both occasions. Congratulates Afghanistan for outplaying them. Says that the batting let them down in both games. Is happy with the bowlers and fielders but is disappointed with the overall result. Ends saying that they repeated the same mistakes and couldn't handle pressure.

Once Sri Lanka came out to chase 250, it was evident that some good application and smart cricket was the need of the hour and that is exactly what the Lankans could not manage. Losing two matches in a row to Bangladesh and then to Afghanistan will be a big shock and it's high time for Mathews and Co. to pull-up their socks and play to their full potential.

The Sri Lankan chase started on a disastrous note as they lost their first wicket in the form of Kusal Mendis on the very second ball of their innings. That set the ball rolling for Afghanistan as they just did not allow the Sri Lankan batters to take any kind of control on the game. A 54-run second wicket partnership between Tharanga and De Silva gave us some hope of a fighting chase but the untimely run-out of Dhananjaya de Silva puled the Lankans back and they never could get going from there. The spin trio of Mujeeb, Nabi and Rashid were just too good for the Lankans today as they kept on taking wickets at regular intervals. For Sri Lanka though Malinga was a big disappointment as he finished with the most expensive figures for Sri Lanka.

Earlier in the day, we saw a mature batting effort from a very young team looking to find their feet in the international arena. They showed tremendous application and a strong desire to fight it out and put up a competitive total on the board. With Sri Lanka in not the best of form and with the skill of the Afghan bowlers, we surely did expect a contest but never expected it to be so one sided in favor of the latest country to get Test status.

A dream start to the tournament for the minnows and a shocking defeat for the 1996 World Cup champions. This will jolt them badly. A 91-run defeat is a thrashing and it will take a lot determination and effort on their part to overcome this loss and bounce back in their future games. Afghanistan's bowling was second to none. All their bowlers except for Aftab Alam managed to take two wickets each and two run outs of De Silva and Jayasuriya sealed it for them.

41.2 W

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. OUT! As plumb as it can get! The middle of middle stump is where the ball would have smashed into, as per the Hawk Eye. Rashid Khan unveils his magic as he fires this very full in the line of the stumps. Malinga tries to sweep across the line towards the mid-wicket area. But the Sri Lankan pacer gets beaten in flight and pace. The ball sneaks under his bat and raps him on the pads. They appeal and the finger has gone up. The Sri Lankan innings has capitulated here and the ever-impressive Afghanistan start their 2018 Asia Cup campaign with a thumping 91-run win.

41.1 1

Rashid Khan to Dushmantha Chameera. Chameera gets behind this delivery on off and dabs it to the off side for a run.

End of Over : 41 1 Runs SL: 157/9
40.6 1

Gulbadin Naib to Dushmantha Chameera. A length ball around off is taped into the point region for a single.

40.5 0

Gulbadin Naib to Dushmantha Chameera. Banged in again by Naib and a similar response there from Chameera.

40.4 0

Gulbadin Naib to Dushmantha Chameera. Bumper time. Naib trying to intimidate the batsman but Chameera has nothing doing as he ducks under that one easily.

40.3 0

Gulbadin Naib to Dushmantha Chameera. Variation in length. Some chin music for the new batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper.

40.2 W

Gulbadin Naib to Thisara Perera. OUT! The death rattle! Naib delivers the knockout blow in all likelihood. He takes out Perera with a slower length ball around off, angling in from around the wicket. Perera tries to deposit the ball into the mid-wicket stand but he completely loses his shape and balance. The ball goes under his bat and crashes into the wooden sticks behind. Just the lone wicket remaining now. Can Afghanistan finish this off quickly?

40.1 0

Gulbadin Naib to Thisara Perera. Naib dishes this out a bit wide of off. Perera tries to reach at it but misses as the ball is collected by Shahzad behind.

Gulbadin Naib comes back into the attack.

Powerplay 3 has been signalled. Now a maximum of 5 fielders can be positioned outside the 30-yard circle.

End of Over : 40 3 Runs SL: 156/8
39.6 1

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. A full ball is driven through covers for a single.

39.5 1

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. The batsman waits for the ball to arrive and guides it towards the third man region with an open bat face. One run added to the total.

39.4 0

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. Malinga looking to hit this one through the off side gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. No run.

39.3 1

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. A fuller length ball is driven confidently towards mid on and the batsmen cross over for a quick single. Every run counts.

39.2 0

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. Perera has punched the ball off the back foot.

39.1 0

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. Khan bowls this flatter and attacking the stumps. Perera quickly goes back an punches it into the cover-point region but no run on offer.

End of Over : 39 0 Runs SL: 153/8
38.6 0

Mohammad Nabi to Lasith Malinga. Malinga has played it to the point region to end the over.

38.5 0

Mohammad Nabi to Lasith Malinga. Nabi getting all his experience into play here. He is keeping it very tight around off and is constantly changing the pace of each of his deliveries so that the batsman cannot line him up. Malinga patiently defends.

38.4 0

Mohammad Nabi to Lasith Malinga. A slower ball around off is blocked out off the back foot.

38.3 0

Mohammad Nabi to Lasith Malinga. A flighted ball on and around off is defended off the front foot.

Lasith Malinga walks out to the middle.

38.2 W

Mohammad Nabi to Akila Dananjaya. OUT! That's the class of Nabi. He is definitely a world class bowler with his accuracy and his change in pace almost each ball. He flights this one as well and keeps it on off. Dananjaya goes for the wild slog across the line and completely misses the ball as he is seen losing his balance also. The ball makes contact with the stumps and it's a very ugly dismissal. Afghanistan inching closer.

38.1 0

Mohammad Nabi to Akila Dananjaya. Tossed up ball around off. Pushed back to the bowler.

End of Over : 38 4 Runs SL: 153/7
37.6 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Akila Dananjaya. Floated and on middle, it's forced down to long off for a run. Another tidy over, Sri Lanka going nowhere at the moment.

37.5 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Thisara Perera. Once again the bowler is on the shorter side, Perera punches it to sweeper for one.

37.4 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Akila Dananjaya. Fails to work it on the leg side and it goes off his pads to short fine leg. They cross for a leg bye as the fielder scores a direct hit at the striker's end. No harm done.

37.3 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Akila Dananjaya. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

37.2 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Thisara Perera. Shorter in length this time, Perera camps back and slaps it to sweeper cover for one.

37.1 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Thisara Perera. Skidding back into the batsman, Perera blocks it back at the last second.

End of Over : 37 4 Runs SL: 149/7
36.6 1

Mohammad Nabi to Thisara Perera. Rocks back to a shortish delivery and punches it down to long on for one.

36.5 2

Mohammad Nabi to Thisara Perera. Plays it late, uses the angle of the bowler and steers it wide of short third man for a brace.

36.4 0

Mohammad Nabi to Thisara Perera. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

36.3 0

Mohammad Nabi to Thisara Perera. Gets on the front foot and pushes it back towards the bowler.

36.2 1

Mohammad Nabi to Akila Dananjaya. Skidding down, Dananjaya fails to flick and it goes off his pads to the leg side. A leg bye taken.

36.1 0

Mohammad Nabi to Akila Dananjaya. Dananjaya has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

End of Over : 36 2 Runs SL: 145/7
35.6 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Akila Dananjaya. Dananjaya showing his batting prowess as he beautifully drives a full length ball through covers to get a run.

35.5 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Akila Dananjaya. A full length ball is flicked into the mid-wicket region.

35.4 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Akila Dananjaya. Dananjaya is beaten on the very first ball he plays. He looks to play for the spin into him but the ball pitches and turns away beating the outside edge. Akila survives and that is the most important fact.

Akila Dananjaya is the new batsman in. Can he be the hero with the bat for a change and take his side across the finish line?

35.3 W

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dasun Shanaka. OUT! Mujeeb strikes to send Shanaka back who can be a dangerous batsman. Afghanistan will be more than happy. The bowler keeps it a bit shorter around off stump. Shanaka, thinking it is a leg spinner, goes on the back foot to punch it hard through the off side. But for his shock and to Afghanistan's delight, the ball lands and comes into Shanaka. This means that the batsman is completely bamboozled which results in the ball cutting into him and crashing into the timber behind.

35.2 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dasun Shanaka. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

35.1 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Thisara Perera. A fuller ball is flicked into the leg side for a single.

Dasun Shanaka is the new man in. Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes back into the attack.

End of Over : 35 3 Runs SL: 143/6
34.6 W

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. OUT! Mathews holes out and that's a body blow to Sri Lanka. A smart bowling change by the skipper. Nabi has done the trick. He tosses it up in the air and lands it full around middle. Angelo runs down the track with the intention to clear the long on fence. But he fails to gather enough distance on this one and is caught with ease by Rashid Khan in the deep. It's going from bad to worse for Sri Lanka, 107 needed off 90 balls.

34.5 0

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. Played to the point region by the batsman.

34.4 1

Mohammad Nabi to Thisara Perera. A slower shorter of a good length ball is punched comfortably to the cover region.

34.3 0

Mohammad Nabi to Thisara Perera. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

34.2 1

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. Mathews works it through square leg and collects a single.

34.1 1

Mohammad Nabi to Thisara Perera. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball to sweeper cover for a run.

Mohammad Nabi comes into the attack. How valuable will his experience be in such a tight situation?

End of Over : 34 6 Runs SL: 140/5
33.6 0

Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews. Mathews rocks back to this shorter of a length ball on off and punches it to the cover region. A dot ball to finish the over. 110 required off 16 overs.

33.5 0

Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews. Driven through mid off by the batsman.

33.4 1

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. Flatter and quicker angling into the batsman. Flicked towards the square leg region for a single.

33.3 0

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

33.2 4

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. FOUR! This time on the legs of the left-hander. Thisara, against his natural style of play, delicately gets some bat on this quicker ball. The speed on the ball is enough to take it across the fine leg boundary.

33.1 1

Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews. Leg bye! Rashid starts with one which strays down the leg. Mathews looks to nudge it down the leg side but misses. The ball hits his pads and rolls towards the vacant square leg region for a single.

That's Drinks. Sri Lanka are on the back foot and the current pair is trying to revive their fortunes. Mathews is the key for Sri Lanka as they require another 116 runs in 17 overs. They need to get moving now. On the other hand, Afghanistan cannot afford to relax at this moment after doing all the good work. An intense passage of play awaits us post the break. Stay tuned...

End of Over : 33 9 Runs SL: 134/5
32.6 1

Aftab Alam to Angelo Mathews. Knocks a full ball down through mid on for a run. 9 from the over.

32.5 1

Aftab Alam to Thisara Perera. The batsman plays a pull shot to this short delivery. They pick up a single.

32.4 1

Aftab Alam to Angelo Mathews. Yorker on middle, dug out to square leg for another single.

32.3 1

Aftab Alam to Thisara Perera. Straighter in line, worked in the gap on the leg side for one.

32.2 4

Aftab Alam to Thisara Perera. FOUR! Eased away! Short in length around middle and leg. The around the wicket angle takes it down and Perera just helps it with a pull shot past the short fine leg fielder for a boundary. The bowler now wants that fielder to be sent in the deep.

32.1 1

Aftab Alam to Angelo Mathews. The batsman drives the ball straight down the ground. They pick up a single and are on track in building a steady stand which is currently on 26.

End of Over : 32 2 Runs SL: 125/5
31.6 0

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

31.5 0

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. Perera looks to get behind this one to defend but pushes at it a bit earlier which results in him getting a leading edge. The ball is deflected to the off side.

31.4 1

Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews. A fuller length ball angling into the batsman is driven through mid on and they take a run.

31.3 1

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.

31.2 0

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. Very full around off, Perera flicks it away with a wristy shot but again for nothing.

31.1 0

Rashid Khan to Thisara Perera. The batsman works it down the leg side but no run on offer as it goes straight to the fielder at square leg.

Rashid Khan into the attack. Can the world class competitor seal it for his team and contribute in a memorable win this evening? Interesting times ahead for sure...

End of Over : 31 7 Runs SL: 123/5
30.6 0

Aftab Alam to Angelo Mathews. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

30.5 4

Aftab Alam to Angelo Mathews. FOUR! That is all class! The attitude, the body language and the confidence being displayed by Mathews is simply breathtaking. Aftab fires in a very full delivery on middle and leg. Almost a yorker this but Mathews from within his crease just nonchalantly flicks it with utmost disdain. The ball is seen skimming across the outfield and crossing the deep mid-wicket boundary. Mathews putting up a fight in this do-or-die game for his team.

30.4 1

Aftab Alam to Thisara Perera. A very full delivery is driven through mid on for a single.

30.3 1

Aftab Alam to Angelo Mathews. A bit shorter than good length and continues to keep it around off. Seeing the ball a bit short, Mathews quickly rocks back and punches the ball into the cover-point region to add another run to the total.

30.2 0

Aftab Alam to Angelo Mathews. The Lankan skipper plays that off the front foot and into the ground.

30.1 1

Aftab Alam to Thisara Perera. A full and straight ball is flicked into the square leg region for a single to start the over.

End of Over : 30 3 Runs SL: 116/5
29.6 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Thisara Perera. Rocks back and eases this ball through mid off for a run. Just the three runs off the over. Sri Lanka need to keep their cool and take the game deeper.

29.5 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Angelo Mathews. Comes across the stumps and hits it in the gap through mid on. One run added to the total.

29.4 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Angelo Mathews. Mathews has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

29.3 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Angelo Mathews. Quicker one in line of the stumps, pushed back to the bowler.

29.2 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Angelo Mathews. Off spinner outside off again, hit to mid off.

29.1 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Thisara Perera. Off spinner on off, Perera pushes this through cover-point to give his skipper the strike.

End of Over : 29 2 Runs SL: 113/5
28.6 0

Gulbadin Naib to Angelo Mathews. The batsman works it down the leg side to the man at mid-wicket.

28.5 1

Gulbadin Naib to Thisara Perera. Digs this one short again. Perera pulls it along the turf through square leg for a single.

28.4 1

Gulbadin Naib to Angelo Mathews. Straighter one around off, milked through mid on for an easy run.

28.3 0

Gulbadin Naib to Angelo Mathews. Short ball outside off, Mathews punches the ball off his back foot.

28.2 0

Gulbadin Naib to Angelo Mathews. Full outside off, driven to mid off.

28.1 0

Gulbadin Naib to Angelo Mathews. Outside off, Mathews plays it towards backward point.

Gulbadin Naib in for another spell.

End of Over : 28 4 Runs SL: 111/5
27.6 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Angelo Mathews. Off spinner around off, worked around the corner for one.

27.5 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Thisara Perera. On middle and leg, played with a straight bat to long on for a easy run.

27.4 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Thisara Perera. Full and in line of the stumps, hit back to the bowler.

27.3 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Thisara Perera. The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.

27.2 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Angelo Mathews. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

Thisara Perera joins his skipper.

27.1 W

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shehan Jayasuriya. OUT! Another confusion, another run out and another wicket gifted to the ever so delighted Afghans. Mujeeb from around the wicket tosses this full ball at the legs of the batsman. Shehan leans across and flicks it into the deep mid-wicket region. The batsmen have taken the first run quickly with the intention to come back for a brace. Not sure about Mathews but his left-handed partner definitely wanted to get back on strike. The Lankan skipper after turning has his hand raised to send his partner back who is very late in getting that signal. In the meantime, the fielder in the deep collects the ball and fires in a flat one-bounce throw right on top of the stumps at the bowler's end. Mujeeb has some simple work to do and he completes the formality by whipping off the bails in sheer joy. Shehan is well short of the crease. Mathews is seen letting out his frustration as the southpaw starts to walk back slowly and utterly disappointed. 142 more required from 137 balls.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman returns in the attack.

End of Over : 27 2 Runs SL: 107/4
26.6 1

Mohammad Nabi to Shehan Jayasuriya. The ball has taken the inside edge of the bat and goes down the leg side. They pick up another run to end the over.

26.5 0

Mohammad Nabi to Shehan Jayasuriya. Strays on the leg side again. It's flicked away off his pads for a run.

26.4 0

Mohammad Nabi to Shehan Jayasuriya. The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads.

26.3 1

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. Finds the gap. Flicked away through square leg to get off strike.

26.2 0

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. Darted once again on the legs, flicked to the man at square leg.

26.1 0

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. Full on the legs, worked to the leg side.

End of Over : 26 6 Runs SL: 105/4
25.6 0

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya defends it from within the crease. Afghanistan keep applying the pressure.

25.5 2

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They manage to come back for the second.

25.4 1

Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews. Bowls this down leg, Mathews works it down the leg side for one.

25.3 1

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. SJ works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

25.2 0

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. Long long appeal but nothing from the umpire. Afghanistan have no review left. Fuller leg spinner around off, Jayasuriya looks to sweep this but cannot get bat to ball. Is struck on his pads. Rashid is up in appeal but the umpire does not move. Perhaps missing the stumps.

25.1 2

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. Picks up the leg spinner and drives this through covers. The batsmen come back for an easy two.

End of Over : 25 2 Runs SL: 99/4
24.6 0

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. Another full ball on off, hit to the off side.

24.5 0

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.

24.4 1

Mohammad Nabi to Shehan Jayasuriya. Goes onto his back foot and hits this through covers again. One more run taken.

24.3 0

Mohammad Nabi to Shehan Jayasuriya. Goes back and punches the ball to the cover-point region.

24.2 1

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. Uses the crease and punches the ball through covers. They pick up a single.

24.1 0

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. Flat and on the pads. Mathews hits it to the man at mid on.

Mohammad Nabi is into the attack.

Change in bowling.

End of Over : 24 2 Runs SL: 97/4
23.6 0

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. Another good over from Rashid. Darts this around middle and leg. Shehan hits it to the on side.

23.5 0

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

23.4 0

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. Rashid is giving no room to the batsman to work with. Angles this into the middle and leg line, Shehan turns it on the leg side but straight to the fielder.

23.3 0

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. This is quite close to the off pole. Jayasuriya guides it late but some good work by the fielder in the slip region certainly saves some runs.

23.2 1

Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews. Quicker ball around off, Mathews drives it past the mid off fielder for a run.

23.1 1

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. Goes back and punches this through cover-point to get to the other end.

End of Over : 23 3 Runs SL: 95/4
22.6 0

Gulbadin Naib to Angelo Mathews. Full and outside off, driven to covers. Dot ball.

22.5 1

Gulbadin Naib to Shehan Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya guides it to third man. They pick up a single.

22.4 1

Gulbadin Naib to Angelo Mathews. On the pads again, Mathews works it to the leg side for one more.

22.3 1

Gulbadin Naib to Shehan Jayasuriya. Straying in the line and gets an easy run. Full and down the leg side. Shehan helps it on it's way to the fine leg boundary for one.

22.2 0

Gulbadin Naib to Shehan Jayasuriya. Outside off again, cut to the man at point.

22.1 0

Gulbadin Naib to Shehan Jayasuriya. Short ball outside off, pulled away to the leg side.

End of Over : 22 3 Runs SL: 92/4
21.6 1

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.

21.5 0

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. A crowd catch. The Afghan players appeal but the umpire is firm in his decision. Yorker around off, Jayasuriya hits it on the ground and Rashid moves to his left to collect it. Stifled appeal which died down.

21.4 0

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. Almost! Quicker ball around off, the ball spins back into Jayasuriya. Gets just enough bat and the ball thuds into his pads.

21.3 0

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. SJ shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

21.2 1

Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews. Full and on off, dug out to the off side through covers for one.

21.1 1

Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya. Leg spinner around off, driven towards mid off to get off strike.

End of Over : 21 1 Runs SL: 89/4
20.6 0

Gulbadin Naib to Angelo Mathews. Stands inside his crease and taps this ball in front of him.

20.5 1

Gulbadin Naib to Shehan Jayasuriya. The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.

20.4 0

Gulbadin Naib to Shehan Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya throwing his bat at everything. Another fuller ball outside off, Shehan goes hard at it and hits it to mid off.

20.3 0

Gulbadin Naib to Shehan Jayasuriya. Full outside off, Shehan gets behind the ball and drives it to mid off.

Shehan Jayasuriya is the new man in.

20.2 W

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. OUT! Sri Lanka are losing their way in this run chase and are digging a deep hole for themselves. Another poor shot selection from the batsman causes his downfall. Fuller ball outside off again. Tharanga does not get under the ball enough and hits it straight to Asghar at mid off who takes it with glee. The well-set batsman has to walk back and Sri Lanka are in a big trouble. He probably wanted to go over the infield but failed to achieve the desired elevation. They need 162 runs in 178 balls.

20.1 0

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. Yorker around off. Tharanga gets his bat down in time.

Gulbadin Naib is back into the attack.

End of Over : 20 5 Runs SL: 88/3
19.6 2

Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews. Nervy beginning for Mathews. He tries to push it through the off side but it takes an inside edge and rolls through square leg for a couple of runs. Excellent beginning from the star bowler.

The Sri Lankan skipper and their best batsman, Angelo Mathews comes out to bat.

19.5 W

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera. OUT! Oh, bowled him! Rashid, you beauty. Perera wanted to dominate the leggie but instead got dominated. A looped up ball landing on middle, Kusal attempts a wild slog sweep over the leg side but fails to read the length properly. It goes under his bat and disturbs the stumps. Khan is delighted, this is a big breakthrough for Afghanistan. They continue to maintain a strong hold on this game.

19.4 1

Rashid Khan to Upul Tharanga. Tharanga looks set and he should be the one who will anchor the Sri Lanka innings if they want to have a chance of reaching this target. Khan keeps it full in length around off stump line. Upul drives this crisp and clean to mid off and the batsmen cross for another single.

19.3 1

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera. A flighted full pitch delivery is driven to mid off for a quick single.

19.2 0

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

19.1 1

Rashid Khan to Upul Tharanga. This length ball around off, with a slight inward shape hits the batsman low on the pads as he tries to flick it but misses. The ball hits his pads and rolls towards the square leg region to allow the batsmen to cross over for a leg bye.

End of Over : 19 7 Runs SL: 83/2
18.6 1

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. A flighted and full length ball is driven calmly towards mid on.

18.5 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

18.4 1

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. The batsman drives this through the covers. One run added to the total.

18.3 4

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. FOUR! Perera knows how to use the broom. Nabi tosses this one on the stumps, Perera premeditates as he is seen going down at the same time when Nabi delivers the ball. He kneels, goes for the sweep and pretty much nails it. The ball races across the outfield and into the deep square leg fence.

18.2 0

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Perera turns this straighter ball into the leg side.

18.1 1

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Tossed up on off, the batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and connects. One run added to the total.

End of Over : 18 8 Runs SL: 76/2
17.6 2

Aftab Alam to Kusal Perera. A fuller length ball is driven through mid on by the batsman. Two runs added to the total.

17.5 4

Aftab Alam to Kusal Perera. FOUR! Streaky but welcome! When you take risks, take it with all your might. Alam bangs this one short, with an intention of surprising the batsman with a change in length but Perera is up to it as he responds with an attacking instinct and plays the pull shot. The ball bounces a bit more than he expected and that results in a top edge which sails over the top of the keeper's head. A boundary results. Sri Lanka will take them whichever way they come.

17.4 0

Aftab Alam to Kusal Perera. Tossed up around off, is blocked out off the front foot.

17.3 0

Aftab Alam to Kusal Perera. Quicker and straighter on the stumps, Perera works it down the leg side but no run on offer there.

17.2 1

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. The Sri Lanka opener has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.

17.1 1

Aftab Alam to Kusal Perera. Alam starts his spell with an ill-directed ball going down leg. Perera works it down the leg side and picks up a single.

Aftab Alam comes into the attack. Can he deliver for his side with some quick wickets? Interesting phase of play coming up...

End of Over : 17 3 Runs SL: 68/2
16.6 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Missing leg, the inward drift on the nut has, ironically, saved the batsman and has gone against the bowler this time. How funny is this game? That's exactly why we like it so much. Nabi fires this one in line with the stumps and angling into Tharanga. Upul tries to flick it onto the leg side but it seems as though he gets and inside edge onto his pads. But Afghanistan appeal loud and think that they can overturn this decision. Time for the replay to roll in. No bat involved and then Hawk Eye shows that the ball is missing the leg stump by quite a margin. Afghanistan have lost their review and Upul survives.

Review time as Sri Lanka go for it. The batsman in question is Upul Tharanga who has been given not out by the umpire and the Afghanistan team has challenged that decision. However, it seems that they have gone for it in more of a hope rather than conviction. Let's see now...

16.5 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. The batsman dances down the track but decides to defend it. Good control shown by Upul as he aborts from the shot at the last moment when he understands that he has not got to the pitch of it.

16.4 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

16.3 1

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Slower and shorter around off, the batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They cross for a single.

16.2 1

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Quicker one, full and on off, pushed towards covers for a sharp run again.

16.1 1

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Bowls it with a round-arm action and darts in a shortish ball on off. Kusal goes back and hits it in front of square on the off side. They cross for a confusing single.

End of Over : 16 6 Runs SL: 65/2
15.6 1

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. A length ball, too straight in line, it's clipped fine down the leg side for a run.

15.5 1

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. Good length ball outside off, Tharanga punches it with good timing to covers. Straight to the fielder who misfields and concedes a run.

15.4 0

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. Beaten again! This time the length is a bit short outside off. Tharanga stays back to cut but misses. He's disappointed with himself. Two dot balls after a boundary.

15.3 0

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. Play and a miss! Needs to be careful, Tharanga. He tries to use the pace of the bowler and run it down to third man but misses.

15.2 4

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. FOUR! What a shot! A length ball in the region outside off, Tharanga takes a stride forward and drills his drive through extra cover for a cracking boundary.

15.1 0

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. Yorker delivered in the blockhole, Tharanga digs it out safely.

End of Over : 15 3 Runs SL: 59/2
14.6 0

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Tossed up ball on off, Perera is forward in defense.

14.5 1

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Once again Upul shows good footwork as he eases it down to long on for one.

14.4 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Floated and on off, defended solidly.

14.3 2

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Uses his feet this time and strokes his drive through covers. Rashid in the deep makes a quick stop but cannot prevent the second run.

14.2 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Appeal for an lbw! Not given. This one straightens a touch from around off. Tharanga tries to flick but probably his bat gets stuck on his pad. He misses and is rapped on the pads. They appeal but nothing from the umpire. Height factor?

14.1 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Flighted and full on off, it's driven off the front foot to short cover.

End of Over : 14 3 Runs SL: 56/2
13.6 1

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. Tossed up slower and a bit wide of off. The batsman opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single.

13.5 0

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. Full and driven to covers. Tight bowling this.

13.4 0

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. It's been driven superbly through the covers.

13.3 1

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. The batsman drives this through the covers. One run added to the total.

13.2 0

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. The batsman has driven it through mid off.

13.1 W

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. OUT! Comedy of errors on display here. A scene to remember for a long time. Naib keeps this slower one outside off. De Silva pushes at a wide length ball and gets an outside edge towards the third man region. There is some miscommunication between the batting pair during the second run they try. The confusion is so strong that Dhananjaya almost ends up being at the same end as Tharanga, who is very late in responding as he was ball-watching. The throw comes to Shahzad who collects it and breaks the stumps before releasing it towards the bowler's end. Naib gets hurried up a bit and makes a complete mess by running across and falling straight on top of the stumps before he can get his hands on the ball. It's referred upstairs, the replays roll in and they show that Shahzad was very smart to first disturb the stumps at his end before throwing it towards Naib. It has done the trick as Dhananjaya is found inches short of the crease. Miscommunication, confusion, panic and disaster, that's the outline of this story. This will go down as one of the most bizarre moments in cricket. Total chaos! An interesting observation by Sangakkara. He points out that Dhananjaya stuttered just a bit when Tharanga finally decided to see him charging in and that moment probably cost him.

Kusal Perera is the new man for Sri Lanka.

The umpires have gone upstairs for a run out appeal. Is there a wicket for Afghanistan? If yes, who has got out? Very confusing on the field and in my machine as well.

End of Over : 13 5 Runs SL: 53/1
12.6 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Tharanga turns this into the leg side but straight to the man at short fine leg and hence no run on offer there.

12.5 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. A full length delivery is driven and driven crisply to covers but straight to the fielder.

12.4 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Upul has been struck on the pads as he looked to play that off the front foot but missed.

12.3 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

12.2 1

Mohammad Nabi to Dhananjaya de Silva. De Silva works it down the leg side to pick up a single.

12.1 0

Mohammad Nabi to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

12.1 wd

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Four bonus runs! Gift presented and Sri Lanka will happily accept. Nabi starts the over with a quicker delivery from around the wicket and angling into the batsman. The drift on it takes the ball down the leg side and Shahzad behind cannot stop it.

End of Over : 12 4 Runs SL: 48/1
11.6 0

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. Fuller on off, driven to covers.

11.5 0

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. Naib flights this a bit more outside off. De Silva looking to play at it misses as he plays the wrong line.

11.4 0

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

11.3 4

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. That is authoritative to the core from de Silva. Naib keeps this slower one full around off. De Silva skips down the track and smashes it straight over the umpire and the ball races across the straight boundary. Cracking shot this, a confidence building one.

11.2 0

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. A shortish delivery is pulled into the mid-wicket region. The timing was lacking and hence no run results.

11.1 0

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. Nice tight line and length by Naib. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

End of Over : 11 2 Runs SL: 44/1
10.6 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

10.5 1

Mohammad Nabi to Dhananjaya de Silva. De Silva has driven it through mid on. The batsmen have run through for a single.

10.4 0

Mohammad Nabi to Dhananjaya de Silva. A slider beats the bat. Nabi bringing his skills into play as he keeps it full around off. De Silva plays for the non-existent spin and is beaten.

10.3 1

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Flatter and fired into the batsman from around the wicket. Flicked into the square leg region for a single.

10.2 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. Tossed up full around off, driven crisply by Tharanga but straight to the cover fielder.

Mohammad Nabi comes into the attack. Can the experienced campaigner deliver for his team? Let's see..

10.1 0

Mohammad Nabi to Upul Tharanga. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Powerplay 2 has been signalled. Now 4 players will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle until the 40th over.

End of Over : 10 9 Runs SL: 42/1
9.6 0

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

9.5 2

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. Tries to do the same thing as 9.3 but cannot get the same timing. The ball goes high over the cover region. Asghar hares towards it but it falls well ahead of him. Two runs added to the total.

9.4 0

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

9.3 6

Gulbadin Naib to Dhananjaya de Silva. SIX! Shot of the day! Glorious! Full and around off, de Silva extends his arms and lets the ball sail over the extra cover region. Holds his pose for the photographers to capture it.

9.2 1

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. Direct hit and Tharanga would have been a gonner. Plays this with soft hands towards mid on. Rashid there, dives and has a shy at the non-striker's end. Tharanga also dives but would have been still short. Rashid seems to have hurt his bowling arm while putting the dive. The replays show that he landed on it as he went down. Luckily, he is back on his feet and is looking fine.

9.1 0

Gulbadin Naib to Upul Tharanga. Good movement from the medium pacer. Bowls in the correct line and gets the ball to move away from the batsman. Outside off, Tharanga throws his bat at it but can't make any contact.

Gulbadin Naib is the first bowling change.

End of Over : 9 5 Runs SL: 33/1
8.6 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. Can't find the gap this time. Driven straight to the man at mid on.

8.5 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Milked through mid on for an easy run.

8.4 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. UT has flicked the ball off his pads but straight to mid-wicket.

8.3 4

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. FOUR! That's his strength. Makes full use of the crease and times the ball perfectly. Short ball from Rahman on middle and leg. Upul rocks back and cuts it through point. The ball races to the boundary.

8.2 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. On the legs of Tharanga who flicks it towards the square leg fielder to collect.

8.1 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Outside off, cut to point.

End of Over : 8 1 Runs SL: 28/1
7.6 0

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. Fuller this time outside off, driven to covers. Good over from Aftab. Tidy stuff.

7.5 0

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. Rocks back and punches the ball to the off side.

7.4 0

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. Stays inside and taps it in front of him.

7.3 0

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. Dhananjaya defends it from within the crease.

7.2 1

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. Played to the point region. They cross.

7.1 0

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. Stays on the back foot and taps it down to backward point.

End of Over : 7 6 Runs SL: 27/1
6.6 3

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Strays on the pads again. Tharanga helps it on its way towards the fine leg boundary. They come back for the third run.

6.5 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Long appeal but nothing from the umpire. Pitches it outside leg and hits Upul on his pads who misses his flick. The players appeal but the umpire stays put. They don't opt for the review. Good move as we were shown in the replays that it would have gone above the stumps.

6.4 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Full on leg, turned to the leg side.

6.3 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Punched off the backfoot by the batsman. Dot ball.

6.3 wd

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. Two wides. Angles this down the leg side. De Silva still goes after it but it's too far away from him. Shahzad cannot get to the ball quickly they cross.

6.2 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. Driven through the covers by Dhananjaya.

6.1 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Leg bye! Full and on the leg side. Tharanga gets it off his thigh pad towards short fine leg for a run.

End of Over : 6 4 Runs SL: 21/1
5.6 0

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. On the pads of de Silva who misses his flick and gets hit on his pads. Slow going as Sri Lanka are trying to recover from the early loss of a wicket.

5.5 0

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. That ball has taken the inside edge of his batsman and thudded into his pads.

5.4 0

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

5.3 2

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. Swing! Good bowling from Alam. Getting the ball to move both ways. Lands this outside off and the ball comes back in sharply. Beats the inside edge of Dhananjaya and Shahzad too fails to collect it. They pick up two byes.

5.2 0

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. .

5.1 2

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. Outside off, de Silva gets it off the bottom of his bat towards third man for an easy couple.

End of Over : 5 4 Runs SL: 17/1
4.6 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. DROPPED? Shahzad has put down a catch behind the wickets. Slower ball outside off. Tharanga looks to play it with a straight bat but gets an inside edge to it. It goes into the hands of the keeper and pops out. Replays later show that it was not a drop catch as the sound was of the bat hitting the pads.

4.5 2

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Outside off, Upul looks to drive but gets a fat edge past the slip region. The ball goes towards third man and they take a couple.

4.4 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. Uses his feet well again and hits it in the gap through covers. The batsmen have run through for a single.

4.3 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. De Silva has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

4.2 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Tharanga flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.

4.1 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Gets ahead and drives this ball to the off side.

End of Over : 4 3 Runs SL: 13/1
3.6 0

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. Stands tall and punches this to the off side.

3.5 0

Aftab Alam to Dhananjaya de Silva. Back of a length ball around off. The ball nips back in and strikes de Silva outside off on his thigh pad.

3.4 1

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. Direct hit would have been close. Length outside off, Tharanga taps it towards point and hares to the other end. The fielder stationed there has a shy at the striker's end but misses.

3.3 0

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. Play and miss. Outside off, Tharanga is beaten as he misses the line of the delivery.

3.2 2

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. Full and on the pads of Upul who flicks it away through square leg for a brace.

3.1 0

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. Length outside off, Tharanga gets a soft leading edge towards the off side.

End of Over : 3 6 Runs SL: 10/1
2.6 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

2.5 4

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. FOUR! Shot! Not afraid to use his feet and gets a boundary to his name. Rahman gives this air outside off. De Silva reads it well, comes down the track and lofts it over covers for a good looking boundary.

2.4 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Full and on off, hit with the inner half towards mid on for a single.

2.3 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Gets behind the ball this time and gives it back to the bowler.

2.2 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Upul Tharanga. Carrom ball! And an inside edge saves Tharanga. Pitches up outside off, it comes back into Upul who gets an inside edge onto his pads.

2.1 1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. Off spinner outside off, de Silva punches it off his back foot through covers for one.

End of Over : 2 4 Runs SL: 4/1
1.6 0

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. Tharanga lets the ball go outside his off stump.

1.5 0

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. Comes in from over the wicket and lands it around off, Upul goes fishing and is beaten.

1.4 0

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. Fuller around off, Upul plays it with a straight bat.

1.3 4

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. FOUR! Misses his line and strays it down the leg side. Tharanga helps it on its way and it goes fine to the fine leg boundary.

1.2 0

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. Bowls this closer to the stumps, Tharanga feels for it but cannot get bat to ball.

1.1 0

Aftab Alam to Upul Tharanga. On a good length outside off, Tharanga shoulders his arms to it.

Aftab Alam to bowl from the other end.

End of Over : 1 0 Runs SL: 0/1
0.6 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. A near perfect start for the fielding side, a wicket maiden to start proceedings. Can't ask for more, can you?

0.5 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. Drags his length back a bit, de Silva defends it off his back foot.

0.4 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. Darts this one full around off. The ball comes in and strikes Dhananjaya low on his pads outside off.

0.3 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dhananjaya de Silva. Quicker one on off, de Silva gets low and bunts it down.

Dhananjaya de Silva is in at no. 3.

0.2 W

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis. OUT! What a start for Afghanistan! Not so much for Sri Lanka though. Guess what? Kusal Mendis fails yet again and registers another duck to his name. Tossed up ball outside off. The ball spins in and hits Mendis on his pads who plays the wrong line. Mujeeb appeals and the umpire takes his time in raising the dreaded finger. Mendis does not opt for the review and takes the slow walk back. Good that he did not go for the review as the replays show that the umpire's call would have stood firm.

0.1 0

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis. Comes in from over the wicket and lands it on middle and leg. Mendis plays it to the on side.

We are back for the chase. Upul Tharanga and Kusal Mendis will open for the Men in Blue. Afghanistan have given the ball to Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl the first over.

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