Afghanistan v Sri Lanka
Wisden's review of the seventh Asia Cup match, Afghanistan v Sri Lanka
15-Apr-2015
At Mirpur, March 3, 2014 (day/night). Sri Lanka won by 129 runs. Sri Lanka 5pts. Toss: Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan started as if they were going to repeat their historic victory over Bangladesh: Thirimanne departed quickly to left-arm seamer Shapoor Zadran and, when Kushal Perera left in the 16th over, the total was only 50. But Sangakkara rarely allows his guard to drop against less-fancied bowling, and dug in for 76 from 102 balls, before a late broadside from Mathews lifted the total past 250. The last four overs brought Sri Lanka 49 runs, with seamer Dawlat Zadran taken off in the 50th after bowling his second beamer. Afghanistan's batsmen struggled against a varied attack, and there was no comeback from 73 for five in the 21st over. Predictably, Mendis was too much for an inexperienced tail - the last five wickets fell for three runs - as Sri Lanka confirmed their place in the final.
Man of the Match: K. C. Sangakkara.
Afghanistan started as if they were going to repeat their historic victory over Bangladesh: Thirimanne departed quickly to left-arm seamer Shapoor Zadran and, when Kushal Perera left in the 16th over, the total was only 50. But Sangakkara rarely allows his guard to drop against less-fancied bowling, and dug in for 76 from 102 balls, before a late broadside from Mathews lifted the total past 250. The last four overs brought Sri Lanka 49 runs, with seamer Dawlat Zadran taken off in the 50th after bowling his second beamer. Afghanistan's batsmen struggled against a varied attack, and there was no comeback from 73 for five in the 21st over. Predictably, Mendis was too much for an inexperienced tail - the last five wickets fell for three runs - as Sri Lanka confirmed their place in the final.
Man of the Match: K. C. Sangakkara.