DHAKA: In-form Sri Lanka sailed into the summit clash of the Asia Cup cricket tournament with a resounding 129-run bonus point win over minnows Afghanistan, here on Monday.
Opting to bat, the islanders rode on Kumar Sangakkara’s patient 76 and skipper Angelo Mathews’ breezy 41-ball 45 to post a competitive 253/6 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
In reply, Afghanistan were bundled out for 124 in 38.4 overs, sealing Sri Lanka’s place in the final of the five-nation continental tournament, and further diminishing India’s chances.
India have lost two of their three matches and need to win with a bonus point against Afghanistan and hope that Bangladesh score an upset victory over Pakistan in their last respective round-robin matches.
Sri Lanka are comfortably placed atop the table with 13 points from three games.
Afghanistan’s run-chase never really got the momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping to 73 for five in the 21st over.
Their batting was in stark contrast to the efforts put in by the Afghan bowlers, who kept the free-flowing Lankan batsmen in check for a major part of their innings before Mathews let loose.
Sangakkara, though, was the man who kept the Lankan innings afloat when the going got difficult.
Afghan captain Mohammad Nabi contributed 37, while Noor Ali Zadran (21) and Asghar Stanikzai (27) got out after getting starts. Nabi hit three fours and a six during his 40-ball knock.
The rest of the batting just caved in without putting up any sort of resistance, a far cry from their outing against hosts Bangladesh, who were humbled by the spirited strife-torn nation a couple of days ago.
Among the wickets for Sri Lanka were Ajantha Mendis (3/11), Thisara Perera (3/29) and Chaturanga de Silva (2/29), who proved to be handful for the Afghani batsmen.
Despite being the leading run-scorer in the tournament so far, Sangakkara said just being in good form is no guarantee for continued success.
“It was tough to bat out there. We needed a good start, so we had to spend some time to build a foundation. It was hard wicket, little slow and timing the ball well was important,” Sangakkara, who had also hit a century against India, said after being adjudged Man-of-the-Match.
“You can’t take anything for granted. You maybe in very good form but all it needs one good ball, lapse in focus or a brilliant fielding and your are out. You just need to enjoy your game when you are there,” the left-handed batsman replied when asked about his red-hot form.
Sangakkara also had good words to say about Afghanistan players, specially the bowlers.
“The Afghan team bowled really well. The pacers hit the right areas and they used the spinners well. They exploited the pitch very well,” he said.
Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi said it was a great challenge for them to pick paceman Malinga and spinner Mendis. Malinga did not get a wicket while Mendis took three for 11.
“We started well with the bat, but then Mendis and Malinga bowled brilliantly. It was difficult to pick Malinga,” Nabi said adding that they “bowled brilliantly in the first 35 overs but Sangakkara played very well.”
“We have learnt a lot, putting pressure on the rivals and hopefully we will win against India.” (PTI)
Brief scores:
SL: 253/6, 50 overs (K Sangakkara 76, A Mathews 45*; M Ashraf 2-29)
Afg: 124 all out, 38.4 overs (M Nabi 37; A Mendis 3-11, T Perera 3-29)