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Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, 16th Match, Super 10 Group 1 at Kolkata, , Mar 17 2016 - Ball by Ball Commentary

RESULT
16th Match, Super 10 Group 1 (N), Eden Gardens, March 17, 2016, World T20
(18.5/20 ov, T:154) 155/4

Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
83* (56)
tillakaratne-dilshan
New
SL
Full commentary

10.53pm A single-handed effort from Dilshan has carried his team to a quality win against a spirited opposition. SL were in trouble during more than a few moments of that chase but Dilshan kept his head and his nerve to find the gaps when required. A few cameos from the rest of the batting also helped ease the rate towards the end. Afghanistan were good, not great, and therefore did not have enough in the shed to trouble the experience of a quality team. Loads of misfield, full tosses and ill-directed deliveries did not help either. They can take a lot of heart from the comeback though and put on a good show against other members of the group.

Tillakaratne Dilshan is the Player of the Match: Two games I had two ducks, but I needed runs going into the big games. I'm really happy that i finished the game. 150 is a good total, this wicket is slow. Later a little dew helped. They had some quality bowlers but we managed very well in the middle. Twos and threes, every wicket we tried to put up a small partnership. Come to these kinds of tournaments, first match is very important that I get some runs. Senior guys need to stand up and do it for the team. The middle order can bat around us."

Asghar Stanikzai: The total was good, not bad but Dilshan played really well. He took responsibility and played well. When you play big teams, our fielding wasn't good. we'll trey our best. Approach is good. Thanks to our president and parliament members for their support."

Angelo Mathews: "We haven't played too well in the recent past. Credit to the Afghan batters, they put us under lots of pressure. We played really good cricket in the practice games, the attitude was superb. No matter who you play, you have to be positive. We aren't looking too far ahead, if we click we can do anything."

18.5
4
Hamid to Dilshan, FOUR runs

that will be it. A full toss on middle and Dilshan swats it away to the midwicket fence and punches the air in joy. What an innings this has been. SL cruise to a six-wicket win in the end

18.4
2
Hamid to Dilshan, 2 runs

well executed yorker. Dilshan knew exactly where and how well he placed it behind point. Mathews was unsure but trusted his partner for the second

18.3
1
Hamid to Angelo Mathews, 1 run

very full on of, Mathews drives to long-on

18.2
1
Hamid to Dilshan, 1 run

pushed down to long-on

18.1
4
Hamid to Dilshan, FOUR runs

what a shot. An overpitched delivery outside off and Dilshan drills a drive pastcover, found the gap and the outfield and his timing did the rest

These two might target this over to ensure this doesn't get to a last over

Saurabh: "This win will surely lift the SL's spirit. They are here to defend the title as well. Dilshan coming to form is a great news for them."

end of over 1812 runs
SL: 143/4CRR: 7.94 RRR: 5.50
Tillakaratne Dilshan72 (52b 6x4 3x6)
Angelo Mathews20 (9b 3x4 1x6)
Dawlat Zadran 3-0-31-0
Rashid Khan 4-0-27-1
17.6
1
Zadran to Dilshan, 1 run

very full outside off, driven to cover for a quick single. A direct hit would have had Mathews struggling

Haroon: "As much as we lament their poor fielding...have to take into account their infrastructure..This team is worthy of more international exposure"

17.5
1
Zadran to Angelo Mathews, 1 run

another high full toss while looking for that yorker. Played away to point.

17.4
4
Zadran to Angelo Mathews, FOUR runs

the best of the lot. Low full toss on middle and Mathews times the flick past midwicket. Impressive placement as well earns SL four and that could be the game

17.3
4
Zadran to Angelo Mathews, FOUR runs

pokes away from his body outside off and gets a thick edge which flies to third man who runs around and dives but only gets a hand on it to parry for four.

17.3
1w
Zadran to Angelo Mathews, 1 wide

good change in length. Just a little too high. The bouncer is too high

17.2
Zadran to Angelo Mathews, no run

mighty close to another dismissal. Full and wide, Mathews backs away and goes for a drive but the tail back in takes the inside edge, which spins and twirls away from the stumps

Nivas: "Win or loss is secondary. Afg has earned the respect of all those who watch/follow the match now"

17.1
1
Zadran to Dilshan, 1 run

full toss, fails to hit that yorker. Dilshan swats to deep square leg

This contest in SL's favour, wickets changes things though. Dawlat returns

SE: "Don't think anyone has noticed, but Rashid is more of the googly bowler who bowls an occasional leg break, and not the conventional leg spinner"

end of over 1711 runs
SL: 131/4CRR: 7.70 RRR: 7.66
Angelo Mathews11 (5b 1x4 1x6)
Tillakaratne Dilshan70 (50b 6x4 3x6)
Rashid Khan 4-0-27-1
Mohammad Nabi 4-1-25-1
16.6
4
Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews, FOUR runs

timely boundary. Googly that sits up for Mathews, thwacked away powerfully to the midwicket boundary, placed it well

16.5
Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews, no run

and another slog sweep is attempted. The legbreak rips past the outside edge

16.4
Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews, no run

ooh, goes for another one. Googly outside off, Mathews goes for another but fails to connect.

Ammaar Reshi: "Really have to feel for Stanikzai, his fielders are letting him down and releasing the pressure. If they field properly and get Dilshan out. They have a serious chance of winning."

16.3
6
Rashid Khan to Angelo Mathews, SIX runs

gets down low and pummels the slog sweep well over the midwicket boundary. Clears it comfortably

Danish: "The outcome of this match will have a huge impact on the rest of Afghanistan's matches."

16.2
1
Rashid Khan to Dilshan, 1 run

nicely tossed up legbreak outside off, driven to long-off. Dilshan wanted two but good fielding prevents it

16.1
Rashid Khan to Dilshan, no run

googly on middle, Dilshan gets down low for another switch hit but finds point

Vishal Sheokand: "Afg are leaking boundaries at just the wrong time. Once in a while they keep giving freebies otherwise this was set to be their game."

end of over 167 runs • 1 wicket
SL: 120/4CRR: 7.50 RRR: 8.50
Tillakaratne Dilshan69 (48b 6x4 3x6)
Angelo Mathews1 (1b)
Mohammad Nabi 4-1-25-1
Hamid Hassan 3-0-26-0
15.6
1
M Nabi to Dilshan, 1 run

driven away to the sweeper cover

15.5
4
M Nabi to Dilshan, FOUR runs

another terrible misfield. Awful fielding and it could not have come at a worse time. Full toss down leg, Dilshan helps it on its way to backward square leg. Dawlat gets to it but lets it go through. Hands on dropping heads.

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Super 10 Group 1
TEAMMWLPTNRR
WI43160.359
ENG43160.145
SA42240.651
SL4132-0.461
AFG4132-0.715
Super 10 Group 2
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NZ44081.900
IND4316-0.305
AUS42240.233
PAK4132-0.093
BAN4040-1.805
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IRE3021-0.685
First Round Group B
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AFG33061.540
ZIM3214-0.567
SCOT3122-0.132
HKG3030-1.017