Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 1st Match, Group B at Dubai, Asia Cup, Aug 27 2022 - Match Result

And that wraps up day #1 of the 2022 Asia Cup. Tomorrow we meet for the big one: India v Pakistan. Congratulations to all fans of Afghanistan cricket, commiserations to those who were supporting Sri Lanka, and if you're a neutral, thank you for joining us what turned out to be one-sided affair. Our ESPNcricinfo homepages have all the latest from the Asia Cup, so don't forget to check that out. As we leave, here's our feature of the evening for you to read: "The lovey-dovey rivalry between India and Pakistan". On behalf of Danyal Rasool and Chandan Duorah, this is Sreshth Shah saying goodbye.

TIme for the presentation

The Player of the Match is....Fazalhaq Farooqi. He says, " (the pitch) It is a big win for the nation. My plan was simple, to get a breakthrough for my team. (Delay between spells - thoughts) With the new ball I am trying to bowl good deliveries. After that I can bowled yorkers at the death too so I am comfortable with both."

Winning captain Nabi: (Has there been a better game?) The boys played really well, especially the fast bowler Farooqi. When we decided to bowl first, it worked. Just discussed in the meeting that we bowl line and length. And if we get swing then we attack. (Openers) They played really well and gave confident start to the team. The morale of the team is high and hopefully we do well next game.

Losing captain Shanaka: "There are two ways of thinking. As batters, we should bat according to the wicket every time. (Nothing in the pitch for SL spinners) There was a bit of grass, so wasn't very helpful for our spinners. But they are world-class spinners who can execute in any condition. See, T20 cricket these things can happen but we need to jump out of this situation, win the next game, and qualify for the next phase."

Hamid Seddiqi: "So who is Espn man of the mach?" -- Good question! ESPNcricinfo's MVP is Fazalhaq Farooqi. Check out how he pipped Bhanuka Rajapaksa to the award.

Before the presentation, a look at what Sri Lanka can do before their next game. The first thing is, they must win against Bangladesh, but they'll have to hope that Bangladesh lose to Afghanistan before they meet. If Bangladesh win one before the Sri Lanka match, then Sri Lanka will need to pull off an audacious and big win to have any hope of making it out of the group with this net run rate situation. Sri Lankans also had that 50-50 decision go against their way when Pathum Nissanka was deemed caught behind when UltraEdge barely came alive. Rajapaksa (38) and Karunaratne (31) tried their best, but when you have eight single-digit scores, there's not much you can do from there on.

Unless something goes terribly wrong in Afghanistan's game against Bangladesh, they have one foot in the Super 4 stage after a win by such a margin. A total of 59 balls to spare, their second-biggest margin of victory (by balls remaining). Here's Hazratullah Zazai talking to the broadcaster: "(Plan with the bat) The way our bowlers bowled, it was super. We knew the target of 106 we approached according to our batting. We batted this way to ensure we have a good net run rate. (Aggressive opening partnership) Gurbaz and I had an understanding. When he was hitting it well, I was taking a back seat. Our aim is to get to the final."

8.48pm A complete performance from Afghanistan, and they have really thrown down the gauntlet. Take them lightly at your own peril. What a statement. As for Sri Lanka, it was always going to be tough from being 5 for 3 inside the first two overs, but they'd still be disappointed that they folded for only 105. What would impress Afghanistan the most is that Rashid Khan took zero wickets, although his spell was economical.

As for Sri Lanka, can't blame their bowlers much. There was very little scoreboard pressure and powerplays can be brutal as a bowling team under the lights when the batters come out without much worry. Gurbaz impressed with his 18-ball 40, Zazai hung out till the end unbeaten on 37. Credit also the Farooqi, who took a three-for and was once on a hat-trick.

Aby Mathew: "Is srilanka out of the tournament already ? An absolute hiding " -- Not at all. What they will need is for Bangladesh to lose both their league games - against Afghanistan and themselves.

While we wait for the 11th over, let's take a moment for the way Afghanistan have played today. Sri Lanka have been absolutely outplayed.

Drinks break with one run to win? Well, of course. Even umpire Anil Chaudhary gives out a wry smile as he calls for drinks with Afghanistan needing one to win.

Those of you in the US can watch today's game live on ESPN+ in English or in Hindi.