SL beat AFG by 34 runs (D/L method) | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Highlights And Cricket Score 7th ODI Match - Commentary

Mohammad Nabi says that it feels very good because the pitch has nothing for the spinners. Adds that he just tried his best and got the results. Admits that he tried to loop the ball a lot and foxed most of the batsmen. On his three-wicket over, Nabi says that he did not do much, just concentrated on landing the ball in the right areas. Hopes and wishes that his team wins this game but also wants the openers to get off to a good start to put less pressure on the others.

Full marks to Afghanistan for their comeback with the ball. They were poor initially but then that 22nd over sparked a revival. It almost changed their entire attitude and picked up 8/57 in 94 balls. Mohammad Nabi was the star of the show, taking a 4-fer, of which 3 came in one over and here he is, talking to Simon Doull.

Rain then came around, in the 33rd over. After a lengthy 3-hour delay, play resumed and the Lankans managed to cross the 200-run mark. Nothing much to write about their batting, with 6 single figures.

Mohammad Nabi bowled a stunning 22nd over to get rid of Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews. After that, the Lankans could not muster even a fight. Their middle order was not upto scratch and just gave in to the continuous pressure. Kusal Perera tried to wage a lone battle but eventually, got dismissed for 78.

An innings split into two halves. The first belonged to Sri Lanka, till the 22nd over, where they were butchering the Afghans. The bowling was not that great, with too many extras being conceded. The top order had begun well and had put on 144/1 in just 21.1 overs when the magician started to weave his magic.

THE REVISED TARGET FOR AFGHANISTAN IS 187 IN 41 OVERS. Gettable? You bet. Not many would have thought that would be possible, with the Lankans roaring at 144/1. But a tremendous 22nd over by Mohammad Nabi just broke their backbone and the Islanders could never recover.

Rashid Khan to Nuwan Pradeep. OUT! Castled! Sri Lanka have ended on 201. Rashid slips in a slider around off, Pradeep looks to defend off the back foot but does cover the line off the delivery and in the end the ball hits the thigh pad before going on to hit the stumps. This brings an end to the Sri Lankan innings.

Rashid Khan to Nuwan Pradeep. Flatter one around off, Pradeep defends it off the back foot by coming behind the line off the delivery.

Rashid Khan to Nuwan Pradeep. WIDE! This time Rashid loses his radar on the googly and slips it down the leg side, the umpire exercises his arms.

Rashid Khan to Nuwan Pradeep. This time Rashid brings out the googly, and it is too good for a number 11 batsman. Pradeep here looks to flick it towards the leg side but fails to pick the googly and the ball hits him on the pads. RK appeals but height might be an issue here and the umpire looks uninterested.

Rashid Khan to Nuwan Pradeep. Tossed up delivery outside off, defended off the back foot by Pradeep.

Rashid Khan to Suranga Lakmal. Rashid drops this one short and Lakmal pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Nuwan Pradeep is the last man in. 5 overs left. Even 15 runs could be premium.

Dawlat Zadran to Lasith Malinga. OUT! BOWLED! Terrific delivery from Dawlat Zadran. He bowls a perfect yorker on middle, Malinga makes room to drive but misses it and gets bowled. Afghanistan are just one wicket away from wrapping up the innings. 9 runs and a wicket from the over. A productive over for Afghanistan.

Dawlat Zadran to Suranga Lakmal. Short of a length delivery on leg, Lakmal looks to pull but gets an inside edge. It goes towards mid-wicket. The fielder picks the ball and fires a direct hit at the bowler's end. The batsmen take a run and he is safe.

Dawlat Zadran to Suranga Lakmal. Good comeback by Zadran. Bowls a yorker on middle, Lakmal does well to dig it out.

Dawlat Zadran to Suranga Lakmal. FOUR! This is even better. Poor delivery from Zadran. Short delivery again, Lakmal pulls it over mid on for a boundary.

Dawlat Zadran to Suranga Lakmal. Dawlat bowls a good length delivery on middle, Lakmal defends it out.

Dawlat Zadran to Suranga Lakmal. FOUR! Nice shot from Suranga Lakmal. Short delivery on middle, Lakmal pulls it hard through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. Flatter one outside off, Malinga runs down to short third man.

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. Malinga eases this length ball outside off towards covers.

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. Rashid bowls this one just outside off, defended to covers.

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. Tossed up on the stumps, defended to the off side.

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. Flatter on the stumps, defended to the leg side.

Rashid Khan to Suranga Lakmal. Fuller outside off, eased to point for a single. Good running this.

Rashid Khan continues.

Dawlat Zadran to Suranga Lakmal. Length delivery on off, Lakmal makes room and taps it towards point for a single.

Dawlat Zadran to Lasith Malinga. Full on leg, slower in pace, 115 kph, Malinga looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards the leg side for a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

Dawlat Zadran to Lasith Malinga. FOUR! That has been smashed! Length delivery on off, Malinga makes room and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.

Dawlat Zadran to Lasith Malinga. On a good length on middle, Lasith defends it off the back foot.

Dawlat Zadran to Lasith Malinga. Bowls a short delivery outside off, Malinga leaves it alone.

Dawlat Zadran to Suranga Lakmal. Length delivery outside off, Lakmal cuts it towards point for a single.

The players are slowly making their way out to the middle. Good news is, it has got brighter and the floodlights HAVE NOT been switched on. Wait. IT HAS STARTED TO DRIZZLE AGAIN. But the game continues. Dawlat Zadran to bowl to Suranga Lakmal.

We are back on! As you must have guessed, Powerplay 2 has been stopped at over number 33. The remaining 8 overs are now all in Powerplay 3. 4 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 8 overs while 1 can bowl 9.

3.30 PM LOCAL (1430 GMT) UPDATE - Great news, folks! The covers are off and we are all set for the game to begin! The match has been reduced to 41-overs-per-side and we shall let you know the details soon. Hold onto your seats! The restart is scheduled at 4 PM LOCAL (1500 GMT).

3.15 PM LOCAL (1415 GMT) UPDATE - We should have had an update by now but sadly, there is nothing new to report. The inspection has been pushed to 3.45 pm local. The conditions have grown a bit overcast as well.

2.30 PM LOCAL (1330 GMT) UPDATE - Cut, copy and paste from the previous update. We now though, have started losing overs. Hopefully, we get some news soon.

2 PM LOCAL (1300 GMT) UPDATE - Nothing much to report from Cardiff. It is still pelting down and the forecast says for more of the same for at least an hour. No overs have been lost as of now but one does not expect the Lankans to resume their innings again. Fingers crossed.

Oh dear. The heavens have opened up! It was drizzling for quite a while and eventually, the umpires have decided to call for the covers. The rain is falling pretty heavily and steadily. No wind around to move the clouds away. Sri Lanka may not mind this.

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. Ohhh... almost! This was the quicker one outside off, the googly and Malinga did not pick it. He came forward initially but then went back to push it away. Was very lucky because he was comprehensively beaten. The bat came in the way, else that would have been plumb LBW.

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. Rashid bowls one down leg and Malinga looks to flick but gets hit on the pads and the ball runs to fine leg, where it gets fielded and batsmen cross for a couple. Leg byes signaled by the umpire.

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. Defends this length ball to the leg side by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Rashid Khan to Lasith Malinga. Ohhh! Rashid is making life difficult for the Lankan tail. Malinga now gets beaten. He looks to cut this flatter one but the ball goes past the edge.

Lasith Malinga walks in at number 10, replacing Kusal Perera.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera. OUT! Rashid gets his first wicket of the match. He slips in a leg spinner outside off, Perera looks to reverse sweep it behind square on the off side but could only glove it for the keeper to pouch one. Misery for Lanka. They are falling like nine pins here. Lone warrior for the Lankans falls to the pressure.

Rashid Khan to Suranga Lakmal. Flatter one on the stumps, Lakmal flicks it to mid-wicket and gets off the mark.

Dawlat Zadran to Suranga Lakmal. Short and outside off, Lakmal guides it towards third man for a single. 2 runs and a wicket from the over. This is good bowling from Afghanistan.

The physio has come out to the middle. It is Lakmal's right thumb, of the arm with which he bowls. Not good for Sri Lanka.

Dawlat Zadran to Suranga Lakmal. On a good length on off, Lakmal looks to defend but gets an outside edge due to the extra bounce on this one. It goes towards Shahzad where he collects it in one bounce. In the process, Lakmal gets hit on the right thumb. That is a nasty blow for him.

Dawlat Zadran to Suranga Lakmal. Excellent keeping from Mohammad Shahzad. Bowls a bouncer, Lakmal does well to duck under it.

Suranga Lakmal is the new man in.

DRINKS BREAK. What a turnaround. Who would have thought at 144/1 that Sri Lanka would be in tatters? But that is why this game is so lovely. Because it is unpredictable. Some good bowling, poor batting and atrocious shot-making have resulted in this situation. The Lankans desperately need someone to hang around with Kusal Perera. The run rate is decent, so if they play the entire 50 overs, they should cross 250 with ease. Can someone hang around with Kusal?

Dawlat Zadran to Isuru Udana. OUT! BOWLED! The stumps are knocked over. Soft dismissal. This is poor shot selection from Isuru Udana. Dawlat bowls it on a good length on middle, Udana makes room and looks to go big but misses it and gets bowled. Kusal Perera is running out of partners here.

Dawlat Zadran to Kusal Perera. Full on off, Perera looks to go big but gets an inside edge. It goes towards fine leg for a single.

Dawlat Zadran to Kusal Perera. Dawlat bowls a yorker on middle, Kusal does well to dig it out.

The umbrellas are up in the stands. The rain drops are falling. The forecast was for a start-stop game. Right now, the game is continuing...

Dawlat Zadran returns. 3-0-17-0 so far.

Rashid Khan to Isuru Udana. Tossed up delivery on the stumps, defended back to the bowler. Rashid bowls the first maiden of the match.

Rashid Khan to Isuru Udana. Googly on the stump, Udana crouches low to defend it on the pitch.

Rashid Khan to Isuru Udana. Leg spinner on the stumps defended to the off side.

Rashid Khan to Isuru Udana. Short outside off, Udana cuts it straight to point.

Rashid Khan to Isuru Udana. Flatter one on the stumps, defended to off side off the back foot.

Rashid Khan to Isuru Udana. Fuller one outside off, Udana defends it to the off side and shouts NOOOOO!

Mohammad Nabi to Isuru Udana. Flighted delivery on middle, Udana drives it towards mid on for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Isuru Udana. Floated delivery on off, Udana defends it off the front foot.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Short and outside off, Kusal makes room and slaps it through covers for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Floated delivery outside off, Perera punches it to covers.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Flighted delivery on off, Kusal plays it to off side.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Tossed up on off, Perera plays it to covers.

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

Rashid Khan to Isuru Udana. Around off, defended from the crease.

Rashid Khan to Isuru Udana. Full and around off, watchfully kept out.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera. Outside off, punched wide of mid off for a run.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera. Tossed up around off, watchfully defended back to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to Isuru Udana. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Tossed up on off, Kusal comes down the track and looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Nabi appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Perera defends it off the back foot.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Floated delivery on middle, Perera defends it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Flighted delivery on off, Kusal plays it off the back foot towards Nabi.

Mohammad Nabi to Isuru Udana. Floated delivery on off, Udana drives it to long off for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Isuru Udana. SIX! Powerful shot! First six of the innings. Tossed up on off, Udana lofts it with ease over long off for a maximum.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Pitching on a length and outside off, Perera looks to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Hamid Hassan to Isuru Udana. Length ball outside off, played to point for a single.

Hamid Hassan to Isuru Udana. FIVE WIDES! Another bonus for Sri Lanka. A bouncer, well above everyone and down to the fence behind. This is poor stuff from the bowler.

Hamid Hassan to Isuru Udana. Short ball outside off, Udana looks to break the shackles here. He looks to slap it over the infield but ends up hitting it to mid off.

Hamid Hassan to Isuru Udana. Length delivery on the stumps, defended back to the bowler.

Hamid Hassan to Isuru Udana. Short of good length outside off, defended off the back foot to the off side.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Length ball outside off, punched to extra cover for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Isuru Udana. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 4 runs and a wicket from the over. A productive over for Afghanistan.

Mohammad Nabi to Isuru Udana. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Isuru Udana is the new player. Make no mistake, he can tonk the ball a long way. Right now, Sri Lanka someone who can stay for a while...

Mohammad Nabi to Thisara Perera. OUT! Thisara is indeed short and has to go! 6th wicket down for Sri Lanka. This was unnecessary. Tossed up on off, Thisara comes forward and drives it towards covers and sets off for a single. But the ball has gone straight to the fielder and hence, Kusal does not respond. Thisara has to return. Najibullah picks the ball fast and throws it quickly to Shahzad at the keeper's end. Mohammad Shahzad whips the bails off in a flash. It is referred upstairs and replays show that Thisara Perera is well short of his ground. This is disaster for Sri Lanka.

IS THAT A RUN OUT? There was a miscommunication and Thisara Perera had to go back. The throw came in and Shahzad took the bails off but did he do so in time? Certainly looks so from the replays!

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Tossed up on leg, Kusal looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side, Kusal looks to flick but misses it.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Short and outside off, Kusal makes room and slaps it towards covers where the fielder misfields and it goes to the fielder in the deep. Dawlat Zadran fumbles and concedes the second run.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Tossed up on middle, Kusal makes room and plays it back towards Nabi.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Short and outside off, cut through point for a run.

Hamid Hassan to Thisara Perera. MIX-UP, BUT SAFE! On a length outside off, Thisara punches it towards point. He takes a couple of steps but then stops. Kusal Perera too, takes a couple of steps but stops. Eventually, they go through for the single but the direct hit is not struck at the striker's end. Kusal would have been short.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Around a good length on off stump, solidly defended.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Outside off, a play and a miss.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. A short ball, pulled straight to short mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Floated delivery on off, Kusal plays it towards point. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it. The batsmen take a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Tossed up on middle, Kusal keeps it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Thisara Perera. Flighted delivery on off, Thisara comes forward and taps it to off side. The batsmen take a quick run.

Mohammad Nabi to Thisara Perera. Tossed up on middle, Thisara looks to defend but it goes off the inner half of the bat. It goes to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Short delivery on off, Kusal makes room and cuts it through point for a single. 150 up for Sri Lanka.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Tossed up on middle, Kusal defends it off the back foot.

Thisara Perera walks in at number 7, replacing de Silva.

Hamid Hassan to Dhananjaya de Silva. OUT! This was coming as de Silva was looking uncomfortable to face Hassan. Hamid bowls it on a length and outside off and just manages to get that nip away from the batsman. De Silva was playing Hassan on the back foot and this time also plays it on the back foot but fails to cover the away swing due to lack of feet movement and edges it to the keeper and starts a long walk back towards the pavillion.

Hamid Hassan to Dhananjaya de Silva. Length ball outside off, defended off the front foot towards the off side.

Hamid Hassan to Dhananjaya de Silva. Peach! Lovely bowling from Hassan. He bowls one in the corridor of uncertainty and de Silva who was camping on the back foot looks to defend from the crease but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Hamid Hassan to Dhananjaya de Silva. Length ball outside off, defended to the off side.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Short ball on the body, Perera looks to pull but gets a top edge towards mid-wicket and the batsman cross for a single.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Short ball outside off, Perera pulls it to mid-wicket where a fumble allows him to take a couple.

Dhananjaya de Silva comes out at number 6 to face the music.

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. OUT! Third wicket in the over and Nabi has four! Outside off again, Mathews goes back to punch but gets a thick outside edge. It takes the outside edge, hits Shahzad's pads and lobs slowly to first slip where Rahmat Shah reacts sharply. Goes to his left and takes the deflection nicely! What an over from Nabi - 0, W, 2, W, 0, W!

Mohammad Nabi to Angelo Mathews. Around off, watchfully defended.

Angelo Mathews walks in at number 5, replacing Mendis.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis. OUT! Edged and taken this time! Nabi gets the second wicket in the over. Full and outside off, Mendis looks to defend but the ball goes straight on, takes the outside edge and goes straight to Rahmat Shah at first slip! Nabi is all smiles. All the three wickets have gone to him!

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis. EDGED, BUT SAFE! Full and outside off, Mendis lunges to defend but the ball spins away, takes the outside edge and goes past first slip. Two runs taken.

Kusal Mendis walks in at number 4, replacing Thirimanne.

MASSIVE BREAKING NEWS - DALE STEYN HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF THE WORLD CUP. The recurring shoulder injury has brought him more problems.

Mohammad Nabi to Lahiru Thirimanne. OUT! Dragged on! Nabi gets the second wicket. Outside off, Thirimanne plays a nothing shot, aiming to punch it towards the off side but there is no movement of the feet. Gets a thick inside edge onto the stumps. The 52-run stand has been broken.

Mohammad Nabi to Lahiru Thirimanne. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.

Mohammad Nabi is back on.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Play and a miss! On a good length and outside off, Perera looks to guide but misses it.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Bowls a bouncer, Perera lets it sail through to the keeper.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Length delivery outside off, Perera cuts it towards point. The batsmen get two runs.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. BEATEN! Beauty of a delivery. On a good length and just outside off, Perera looks to defend but misses it due to the seam movement on this one.

Hamid Hassan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Length delivery outside off, Thirimanne guides it towards third man for a single.

Hamid Hassan to Lahiru Thirimanne. On a length on middle, Thirimanne nudges it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. On middle and leg, Tossed up on the pads, tucked to the backward square leg region for a single.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Flatter one outside off, Thirimanne drives down the ground where Rashid dives in his follow-through and saves a few runs for his team.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Fuller one on pads, defended to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Huge shout for LBW, turned down. Impact seemed to be outside off. Rashid bowls a leg spinner! Thirimanne fails to pick it and looks to defend it but gets it on the pads. An appeal from the bowler but the umpire thinks otherwise.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Flatter one outside off, Lahiru lets it go.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Tossed up delivery outside off, driven through covers for a couple.

Hamid Hassan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Full and outside off, Thirimanne looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man where Nabi does well to stop it with a dive. The batsmen take a single.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. On a good length and outside off, Perera looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man where Nabi tries to collect the ball but misfields. He picks the ball and fires a throw at the keeper's end. The batsmen get a single.

Hamid Hassan to Lahiru Thirimanne. On a length and outside off, Lahiru guides it towards third man for a single.

Hamid Hassan to Lahiru Thirimanne. BEATEN! Excellent delivery from Hamid. Good length delivery outside off, Thirimanne looks to guide but misses it due to the extra bounce on this one.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. On a length and outside off, Perera dabs it towards third man for a run.

Hamid Hassan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Length delivery on middle, Thirimanne flicks it towards fine leg for a single.

Hamid Hassan is back on. 2-0-30-0 so far.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Low full toss outside off, driven to long off for a run.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera. Flatter outside off, punched to long off for a single.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Tossed up delivery tucked to short fine for a quick single.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Flatter one on the stumps, defended to off side.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Lahiru defends this tossed up delivery back to Rashid Khan.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Tossed up delivery defended to the off side.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. FREE HIT! FOUR! Kusal Perera again makes good use of the Free Hit. Short and outside off, Perera slaps it through covers for a boundary. End of a long over from the skipper. 19 runs have come from the over. An expensive over from Afghanistan.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. NO BALL! Again Gulbadin oversteps! This is poor stuff from Naib. Length delivery on off, Kusal plays it through point. The batsmen get two runs.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. Length delivery outside off, Perera cuts it through point. The batsmen get two runs.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. FREE HIT! FOUR! Fifty for Kusal Perera. Nice shot. Length delivery outside off, Perera lofts it over covers for a boundary. He has made good use of the Free Hit.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. FREE HIT! WIDE! Naib again bowls it wide outside off, Perera lets it go.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. FREE HIT! WIDE! Bowls it wide outside off, Perera offers no shot to this one. Free Hit continues.

Gulbadin Naib to Lahiru Thirimanne. NO BALL! Naib oversteps! Length delivery on off, Thirimanne plays it towards point for a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Lahiru Thirimanne. On a length and outside off, Thirimanne taps it towards point where Zazai fires a direct hit at the bowler's end but Kusal Perera was well in. The batsmen get two runs.

Gulbadin Naib to Lahiru Thirimanne. Length delivery on off, Thirimanne defends it off the front foot.

Gulbadin Naib to Lahiru Thirimanne. On a good length and outside off, Thirimanne shoulders his arms to this one.

DRINKS BREAK.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera. Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket but straight to the fielder.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Outside off, punched through the off side for a run.

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

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera. Outside off, pushed uppishly! The ball holds on the pitch and Kusal just hangs his bat. It flies to the right of Rashid who is to his left in his follow-through and hence cannot reach. Rashid smiles.

Rashid Khan to Lahiru Thirimanne. Full and down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for three runs.

Gulbadin Naib to Lahiru Thirimanne. Full on middle, Lahiru drives it towards wide mid on for a single. 9 runs have come from the over.

Gulbadin Naib to Lahiru Thirimanne. FREE HIT! FOUR! Lahiru Thirimanne makes full use of the extra ball. Short delivery on middle, Thirimanne pulls it straight over the bowler's head for a boundary.

FREE HIT TIME!

Gulbadin Naib to Lahiru Thirimanne. NO BALL! Gulbadin Naib oversteps! Full on off, Thirimanne drives it back towards the bowler. The next delivery will be a Free Hit.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. On a length on leg, Perera nudges it towards square leg for a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Lahiru Thirimanne. Full and outside off, Thirimanne looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a run.

Gulbadin Naib to Lahiru Thirimanne. On a good length on off, Thirimanne defends it off the front foot.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. Length delivery outside off, Perera plays it towards mid off. The fielder misfields and then picks the ball and fires a direct hit at the bowler's end. The batsmen take a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Lahiru Thirimanne. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Comes down the track and looks to defend but misses and wears it on the pads.

Mohammad Nabi to Lahiru Thirimanne. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

Lahiru Thirimanne walks in at number 3, replacing his skipper.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. OUT! In the air and taken! Afghanistan strike at last. Full and around middle, Karunaratne comes down the track and looks to place it over the infield. But there is no power and he holes out to long on, where Najibullah Zadran takes a simple catch. The bat-face got closed at the last moment. End of a 92-run opening stand.

Gulbadin Naib to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, Karunaratne drives it towards mid off. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it. The batsmen take a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Dimuth Karunaratne. On a length on middle, Karunaratne looks to drive but gets it off the inner half of the bat. It goes towards the bowler who goes for the catch but it falls short of him.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. Naib bowls a short delivery on leg, Perera pulls it towards square leg for a run.

Gulbadin Naib to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on leg, Dimuth flicks it towards square leg for a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on leg, Karunaratne flicks it through square leg. The batsmen get two runs.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. On a length on leg, Perera nudges it towards short fine leg for a single.

Naib is back on the park but does not seem 100 percent. A little bit of blood is oozing out from his left elbow's wound. He is bowling though.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Perera drives this flatter one on the stumps to long off for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. Nabi bowls a tossed up delivery on the middle and leg, Karunaratne Works this down the leg side, Naib dives over the ball and makes a half-stop. A single taken.

Naib is going off the park. While putting in the dive on the previous ball to stop it, his left elbow seems to have got hurt.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. Dimuth looks to push this flatter one to off side but gets hit on the pads. An appeal from the bowler but the ball is going down leg.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. Fired in on middle and leg, Karunaratne looks to defend it back to the bowler but gets beaten by the pace and gets stuck on the pads.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. Flatter on the pads, Dimuth flicks it to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Nabi bowls an arm ball. A shorter one too. Perera pulls it to mid-wicket for a single.

Change of ends for Mohammad Nabi. 2-0-7-0 so far.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. Short delivery on middle, Perera pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single. Just 4 runs have come from the over.

Gulbadin Naib to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on middle, Dimuth flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Dimuth Karunaratne. On a length on middle, Karunaratne plays it to the left of the bowler where Gulbadin Naib goes for the catch but it was very far from him. It goes to mid on.

Gulbadin Naib to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on off, Karunaratne plays it to covers.

Gulbadin Naib to Kusal Perera. On a length on middle, Perera tucks it towards short mid-wicket for a single.

The clouds seem to be clearing. The conditions are getting more and more pleasant. The pitch is easing out as well.

Gulbadin Naib to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on middle, the skipper flicks it towards square leg for a single.

Gulbadin Naib brings himself on. A slip in place.

POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman has driven it through mid on for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, punched off the back foot.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, Karunaratne reverse sweeps it straight to short third man.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. Outside off, punched through the covers for a quick single. Good running.

Kusal Perera is playing a lot straighter today. Many times, he looks to play across which gets him into trouble. That is his strength but also becomes his weakness.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dimuth Karunaratne. On middle, pushed down to long on for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Short delivery on off, Perera makes room and cuts it to point.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. Tossed up on middle, Dimuth drives it to long on for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. Flighted delivery on middle, Karunaratne plays it back towards the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. Tossed up on middle, Karunaratne flicks it through square leg. The fielder in the deep does well to stop it and goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it. The batsmen get two runs.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Short delivery on middle, Perera pulls it through square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. Tossed up on middle, Karunaratne drives it towards mid on for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. Perera looks to cut this delivery through point but doesn't time it and the ball goes to covers.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. Flatter one on the stumps. Perera laps this to fine leg.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. Corrects his line and bowls it stump to stump. Nothing much the batsman can do, he pushes it back to the bowler.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. FOUR! Perera waits and slaps this short length delivery through covers and the ball crosses the fence with ease.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. FOUR! High, but not quite handsome. Kusal comes down the track and Mujeeb fires it wider outside off. Perera still goes through with the shot and swings it high over mid-wicket. Najibullah Zadran has to cover a lot of distance to his left from long on and cannot get there.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. Tosses this one up on the off stump, Perera defends it and looks for a non-existent single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. WIDE! Mujeeb starts with a leg stumpish delivery but the angle is down leg and wided by the umpire.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Full and down the leg side, Perera misses his sweep and the ball goes off his pads. A leg bye taken.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Around off, pushed back to the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Dimuth Karunaratne. Fired on middle and leg, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Full and around middle and leg, swept through square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera. Nice drift, full and on middle, Kusal comes down the track and flicks it towards short mid-wicket. Was almost beaten in the flight but adjusted well.

Another bowling change. Mohammad Nabi coming in now.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! Nice shot. Full on middle, Karunaratne flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dimuth Karunaratne. Tossed up on middle, Karunarante defends it off the front foot.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dimuth Karunaratne. Flighted delivery on off, the skipper plays it to off side.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. Tossed up on off, Perera plays it towards mid off for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Dimuth Karunaratne. Floated on middle, Karunaratne flicks it to long on for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera. IN THE AIR BUT SAFE! Flighted delivery on middle, Perera sweeps it over square leg. Rashid Khan picks it on the bounce. The batsmen take a single.

First bowling change. Mujeeb Ur Rahman into the attack.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length ball outside off, Dimuth looks to drive but the extra bounce on this delivery means it whizzes past the outside edge. First good delivery of the innings.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR LEG BYES! Length delivery going down leg, Dimuth looks to flick it though the leg side but misses it and the ball takes the pads on its way to the fine leg fence.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. WIDE! Dawlat strays in line. Bowls a length ball down leg and rightly wided by the umpire.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length ball outside off, Dimuth leaves it for the keeper to do the rest.

Dawlat Zadran to Kusal Perera. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.

It has started to DRIZZLE!!!

Dawlat Zadran to Kusal Perera. FIVE WIDES! Another bonus. Short and dug in the middle of the pitch, Perera stays where he is and the ball goes way over the keeper to the fine leg fence. Keeper Shahzad is not happy.

Sujith says, 'The way Sri Lanka are going, I reckon 400 is on the cards!'

Dawlat Zadran to Kusal Perera. FOUR! Looks Perera has started from where he left off in the last match. Short ball on the body, Perera is lined up for it and he muscles it to mid-wicket. No need to run for those.

Dawlat Zadran to Kusal Perera. Good length on middle and leg, some extra bounce too. Perera hops on his toes and defends it to the on side.

Hamid Hassan to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good shot from the skipper. Short and outside off, cut through point where a good stop prevents runs. 16 runs have come from the over. Big over for Sri Lanka.

Hamid Hassan to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! Another boundary! This is more of a placement. Worked wide of mid on. Good shot from the skipper. Full on middle, Karunaratne flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. On a length on leg, Kusal flicks it towards square leg for a single.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. FOUR! Up and over mid off! So much of Sanath Jayasuriya in that shot. Excellent shot. Full and outside off, Perera hits it over wide mid off for a boundary. This is good batting from Kusal Perera.

Hamid Hassan to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery outside off, the skipper guides it towards third man for a single.

Hamid Hassan to Dimuth Karunaratne. FIVE WIDES! Lack of control and some frustration early for Afghanistan. This was fired down the leg side and it took off after pitching. Mohammad Shahzad had to put his skates on to get to his right but could not quite get there. Poor delivery from Hamid Hassan. Hamid bowls it down the leg side, Karunaratne looks to flick but misses it. It goes past the keeper for a boundary.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Length delivery on off, Perera looks to defend but gets an inside edge. It goes towards the leg side for a single.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. A bouncer to end the over, Dimuth ducks.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Dimuth Karunaratne stays side-on while playing a short ball, Does not get opened up and hence, does not gets squared up either by the ball movement. Gets right behind the line of the ball and plays it correctly.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, getting right behind the line to push it towards point.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, left alone.

Dawlat Zadran to Kusal Perera. A short ball, helped with a pull towards long leg for a single.

Dawlat Zadran to Kusal Perera. OUCH! On the rib cage. A short ball, around middle and leg, Perera looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the chest.

Hamid Hassan to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, Karunaratne drives it through covers. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. FOUR! FEROCIOUS! This is the Kusal Perera we know. See ball, hammer ball. Full outside off, Perera blasts it down the ground, to the left of mid off.

Hamid Hassan to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good running between the wickets. Bowls it down the leg side, Karunaratne looks to flick but gets it off his pads. It goes towards Shahzad who does well to stop it with one hand. The batsmen take a single in the process. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

Three slips in place. Good aggression, making a statement that you have decided to bowl and want to make it count.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. Good running between the wickets. Length delivery outside off, Perera taps it through cover-point. The batsmen get three runs.

Hamid Hassan to Kusal Perera. FOUR! Nice shot. Hamid starts with a short delivery, Perera pulls it through square leg for a boundary.

Hamid Hassan to bowl with the second new ball.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. Around off, pushed towards the off side.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! Sri Lanka are away now! A short ball, down the leg side, Karunaratne looks to tuck it away but the ball bounces, takes the glove and races towards fine leg. Rahmat Shah gives it a chase from first slip but in vain.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. WIDE. Full and swinging but misdirected. It is pitched around leg and the swing takes it down the leg side. The skipper looks to flick but misses and Mohammad Shahzad dives to his right and collects. Sri Lanka are off the mark.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. Landed outside off, punched straight to point.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. Again, extra bounce and this time, a bottom edge is induced. DK looked to push it to point.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. On a good length again, Dimuth rises with the bounce and taps it to the off side.

Dawlat Zadran to Dimuth Karunaratne. On a good length but down the leg side, Karunaratne looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

The national anthems are done and dusted and it is time for the game to begin! The Afghans get together in a huddle and Gulbadin Naib has some last minute instructions. Out come Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera to open for Sri Lanka. So Thirimanne drops down the order today. Dawlat Zadran to begin the proceedings to the Lankan skipper. Here we go!

It is time for the national anthems. Apa Sri Lanka Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha... is first, followed by the Afghan one.

Afghanistan would want that their spin trio of Nabi, Rashid and Mujeeb come to the party. That did not happen against Australia. But today, they might want their seamers to take some wickets upfront. On the other hand, Sri Lanka were blown away by the rampaging Kiwi attack the other day. They would want that their senior players like Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga take more responsibility and the rest of the players show a better application and fight.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne(C), Kusal Perera(WK), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep (IN FOR JEEVAN MENDIS), Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga.

Afghanistan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Mohammad Shahzad(WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib(C), Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Hamid Hassan.

Sri Lankan captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, says that in the last match also they batted first, so they know how the conditions will be. Says that it is not a 300-wicket but wants his batsmen to asses the wicket well. On captaincy issues, Karunaratne says that it is not easy but credits the former players for giving him advice. Informs that Nuwan Pradeep comes in place for Jeevan Mendis.

Afghanistan skipper, Gulbadin Naib, says that he would like to bowl first due to the suitable conditions. Reckons it is a good toss to win. On their first game, Gulbadin says that they learnt a lot from that match against Australia. On Sri Lanka today, Naib says that he does not want to look into the past and reckons that the Lankans are a champion side and the Afghans would have to be at their best. Informs that he is playing the same XI from the Australia match.

TOSS - Time for the spin of the coin. Gulbadin Naib flips it, Heads is the call from Dimuth Karunaratne but it is a Tail. AFGHANISTAN WILL CHASE.

WEATHER - OVERCAST CONDITIONS! Does it mean it will rain? Oops... don't say that. It means extended work hours. Joking... this could also mean early finish, isn't it? The ball will move around a bit and the batters will be tested.

A warm welcome to Match 7 of the World Cup 2019 between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in Cardiff. After the Kiwi debacle, Sri Lanka and would look to put their last performance to rest and start with a fresh mind. Their batting did not click in the last match and they would want it to come good today, especially their middle order. As far as Afghanistan is concerned, they lost to Australia in the last match but would aim to put their learnings from that match here. Mohammad Nabi, Hazrat Zazai and Rashid Khan will be their key players. They would like their openers to fire especially.