A calmly compiled 56-ball 83 from Tillakaratne Dilshan steered Sri Lanka to a heart-rate-steadying six-wicket win in their opening match of the World T20, but not before Afghanistan reminded them and the rest of Group 1 that they belonged in the Super 10s
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Scorer: Gopi Rangarajan | Commentator: Nikhil Kalro
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."
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."
Haroon: "As much as we lament their poor fielding...have to take into account their infrastructure..This team is worthy of more international exposure"
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A stoic 56-ball 83 from Tillakaratne Dilshan helped Sri Lanka record their first win of their T20 World Cup campaign by beating a gritty Afghanistan by six wickets at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.
With the colourful hair, gold pendants and ear studs Tillakaratne Dilshan is a bit like the embarrassing dad but his team would have struggled without him against Afghanistan
In a match including a high number of errors, it was Afghanistan's mistakes that ultimately proved more costly - but they still pushed Sri Lanka hard
Plays of the day from the Group 1 clash between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
| Super 10 Group 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
| WI | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0.359 |
| ENG | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0.145 |
| SA | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.651 |
| SL | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -0.461 |
| AFG | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -0.715 |
| Super 10 Group 2 | |||||
| Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
| NZ | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 1.9 |
| IND | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | -0.305 |
| AUS | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.233 |
| PAK | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -0.093 |
| BAN | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -1.805 |
| First Round Group A | |||||
| Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
| BAN | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1.938 |
| NED | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0.154 |
| OMA | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -1.521 |
| IRE | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -0.685 |
| First Round Group B | |||||
| Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
| AFG | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1.54 |
| ZIM | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -0.567 |
| SCOT | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -0.132 |
| HKG | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -1.017 |
