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
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, 16th Match, Super 10 Group 1 at Kolkata, Mar 17 2016 - Ball by Ball Commentary
Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)
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."
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
very full on of, Mathews drives to long-on
pushed down to long-on
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."
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"
another high full toss while looking for that yorker. Played away to point.
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
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.
good change in length. Just a little too high. The bouncer is too high
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"
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"
timely boundary. Googly that sits up for Mathews, thwacked away powerfully to the midwicket boundary, placed it well
and another slog sweep is attempted. The legbreak rips past the outside edge
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."
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."
nicely tossed up legbreak outside off, driven to long-off. Dilshan wanted two but good fielding prevents it
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."
driven away to the sweeper cover
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.