Sri Lanka's bowlers provided early breakthroughs after being asked to bowl, and had Afghanistan on the mat at 51 for 4 International Cricket Council
Captain Asghar Stanikzai, however, led from the front with a counter-attacking fifty AFP
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Stanikzai found an able partner in Samiullah Shenwari, who scored a 14-ball 31, and the pair added 61 for the fifth wicket off 33 balls International Cricket Council
Stanikzai and Shenwari were unsparing in their assault, and even Rangana Herath, who had impressed earlier, was taken for 13 in his last over International Cricket Council
Herath, however, still had a field day, ending with 2 for 24, but Afghanistan smashed 106 off the last 10 overs to finish with 153 for 7 International Cricket Council
Sri Lanka's openers began the chase with a 41-run stand, but Afghanistan's timely strikes reduced Sri Lanka to 113 for 4 Associated Press
But a set Tillakaratne Dilshan held the innings together Associated Press
Despite a couple of run-outs, fielding lapses at critical junctures did not help Afghanistan's cause as Sri Lanka closed in AFP
Angelo Mathews swung the contest decisively in Sri Lanka's favour, his brisk 21 ensuring a comfortable finish Associated Press
Dilshan finished on an unbeaten 83 as Sri Lanka cruised to the target with seven balls to spare Associated Press