Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 7th Match at Dhaka, Mar 03 2014 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That's all from the comms today. Andrew Fernando is updating the match report as I type and there will be more analysis later. Tomorrow, it's Pakistan v Bangladesh. We will be back with our coverage tomorrow. Till then, ciao ciao

"It was a very important game for us because we had to book our place in the final,"says Angelo Mathews. "They have a very good bowling attack and our batsmen found it hard, it was a slow pitch too. It was a collective effort from Thisara Perera - he scored some useful runs and picked up those crucial three wickets."

"We bowled brilliantly in the first 35 overs and Sangakkara played very well," says Mohammad Nabi. "We started well with the bat, but then Mendis and Malinga bowled brilliantly. It was difficult to pick Malinga."

Kumar Sangakkara is the man of the match. He says, "It was a tough wicket to bat on, so we had to spend some time to build a foundation. You can't take anything for granted, the Afghan team played very well, they exploited the pitch very well. There is nothing guaranteed in cricket, you can be in fine form, but it takes only one ball for you to get out, so you have to enjoy while it goes well."

A stifling bowling performance by Sri Lanka, reiterating their dominant run in the tournament. Their batsmen took them to a very good total on a difficult pitch, their bowlers then ensured there were no heroics from Afghanistan this time. Mendis and Malinga were expected to be the danger men, but it was Perera who reaped most rewards. Mendis and de Silva then ran through the tail in no time.

Terance Rodrigu: "Another disappointing innings by the afghans. They bowl so brilliantly to the opposition that they give this ray of hope of winning, but their batsman end up giving yet another bonus point to the opposition. Kudos to the bowlers."

Faisal Sami Qad: "@Steve Austin, Thats actually not the case. A Sri Lanka win would still leave all the 4 teams open in the competition. If Pakistan lose to Bang and India Beat Afghanistan with a bonus point (or vice versa) and then Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka. These results will lead the final spot open for Pakistan and 2 more teams and the situation will be decided by the runrate."

Steve Austin: "So let me get this perfectly clear. The moment Sri Lanka win, Afghanistan and India are eliminated and Sri Lanka are through. This leaves Bangladesh and Pakistan to fight for the last place."

Adz Bizzle: "The difference between the sides in this tournament has been the strength of sri-lankas bat & bowl. where as other teams may have only dominated in one department. The sri-lankans have alot of variety in the bowling department and in the batting they have the experience of sanga who has been their main backbone. Will sri-lanka be able to muster up one more courageous effort in the final. it most likely seems to be sri-pak final & we all know what Pak can do on the day."

mykindagame: "teams should be smart in taking powerplays. If malinga is best at opening overs and also death overs, why doesnt an opposing team take the power play around the 15th or 20th..tonight should have been the best example, lasith bowled 5 and the afgans should have taken the power play striaght,which mean he will bowl another 3.."

Another maiden.

Only two more wickets remaining and Afghanistan are still short 79 short of 203, the bonus point marker..