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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Gulbadin Naib walks out to the middle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Change of ends for Lasith Malinga.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Akila Dananjaya is back on.

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

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?

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

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

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

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

Dushmantha Chameera is back on.

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

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

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

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Dushmantha Chameera is back on.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hashmatullah Shahidi walks out to bat.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.