Bangladesh: Needing 254 runs to win, Afghnaistan inning folded out on 124. While Afghanistan were watchful in the beginning, their batsmen were evntually done in by ever increasing run-rate. Sri Lankan bolwers' accuracy and reckless strokes from Afghanistan batsmen did not help Afghanistan's cause eother.
In the end, Sri Lanka won this game comfortably and sealed their place in the Asia Cup final.
By the end of 25th over, Afghanistan scored 86 runs losing 5 wickets. Samiullah Shenwari was the last man to get out when Afghanistan's score was 73. Afghanistan still need 168 runs to win this game.
Afghanistan were 47/1 by the end of 11 overs. But then, their inexperience got better of them as they stumbled to 61/4 in quick time. Perera got 2 wickets while Lakmal and Ajantha Mendis took a wicket each.
After struggling in the middle overs, Sri Lanka put 253 runs in 50 overs with the loss of 6 wickets. Sri Lanka were 184/6 in 41.5 overs. Then, Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera added 69 runs in 49 balls to take Sri Lanka to a respectable total. Kumar Sangakara was Sri Lanka's top scorer.
Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets in the batting powerplay. In the 37th over, Chandimal got out. And in the next over Afghnaistan ran out Sangakara. Sangakara's wicket was a big blow for Sri Lanka as he was batting well and looked set for another big hundred.
Following Mahela's dismissal, Sangakara and Chandimal engaged in a 50 plus partnership. At the end of 35 overs, Sri Lanka put up 148 runs at the loss of 3 wickets. Sangkara has scored yet another half-century in this Asia Cup. Chandimal is on 24.
Sri Lanka lost their third wicket in the 22nd over when Mahela Jaywawardene hit one into the hands of a mid-on fielder. Ashraf who took Sri Lanka's second wicket, got Mahela out. Dinesh Chandimal, who has just 19 runs against his name in this Asia Cup has walked in the middle to join Sangakara.
In the 16th over of the game, Ashraf removed Kusal Perera. It was a short ball that Perera tried to hit through the off-side. But in that attempt, he dragged the ball on the stumps. Sri Lanka are 50 for 2.
Sri Lanka scored 45 runs in the first 11 overs. Afghnaistan managed to dismiss Lahiru Thirimanne early. Following his wicket, Kumara Sangakara has joined Kusal Perera in the middle.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and elected to bat against Afghanistan in their Asia Cup one-day match Monday. Sri Lanka have already won its two major matches against defending champion Pakistan and India, and could qualify for the final if they beat Afghanistan.
Afghanistan, which lost its opening match to Pakistan and also conceded a bonus point, made claimed an upset win over host Bangladesh last week.
Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal returns for Sri Lanka in place of offspinner Sachithra Senanayake. Afghanistan brought back opening batsman Noor Ali Zadran and fast bowler Dawlat Zadran in place of Karim Sadiq and Hamid Hasan.
Lineups:
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (captain), Kusal Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Thisara Perera, Chaturanga de Silva, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal.
Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi (captain), Mohammad Shahzad, Noor Ali Zadran, Nawroz Mangal, Asghar Stanikzai, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Mirwais Ashraf, Shapoor Zadran, Hamza Hotak, Dawlat Zadran.
