Dhananjaya de Silva’s match-winning innings helps SL defeat Afghanistan

Sri Lanka handed Afghanistan their second defeat of the ongoing T20 World Cup after brushing them aside at the Gabba. The islanders strolled past Afghanistan’s 144 with six wickets in hand on the back of Dhananjaya de Silva’s unbeaten fluent half-century after Wanindu Hasaranga had the Afghanistan batters in a tangle in the first innings. Sri Lanka kept their semi-final hopes alive, knocking their opponents out of the tournament.

Chasing a par total on a tricky surface in Brisbane, Sri Lanka lost their opener Pathum Nissanka to the skillful Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the second over of the chase. Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva consolidated after the early blow as Afghanistan bowlers kept a lid on the scoring rate. But the dismissal of Mendis in the eighth over prompted De Silva to switch gears, and he obliged by taking on the indomitable Rashid Khan.

Charith Asalanka provided able support to his partner from the other end with a sedate 19 runs off 18 balls in a 54-run stand for the third wicket. Asalanka’s dismissal brought the flamboyant Bhanuka Rajapaksa to the crease, who compiled a quickfire innings to take the pressure off the islanders. Dhananjaya registered a well-compiled 66* off just 42 deliveries, hitting the winning runs for the team.

Hasaranga spins a web around the Afghan batters

Earlier in the match, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi won the toss and elected to bat first on a two-paced surface at the Gabba with grey clouds hovering over the venue. The Afghans made a solid start to their innings with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Usman Ghani compiling a 42-run stand for the opening wicket during the powerplay.

Both the openers were dismissed by Sri Lankan speedster Lahiru Kumara and skilful spinner Hasaranga after the powerplay as Afghanistan tried to up the ante. The batters following the openers did get start to their innings, but none of them were able to capitalize on the platform set by Gurbaz and Ghani.

The Sri Lankan bowlers had a much better outing in comparison to their previous encounter against the Kiwis with the fielders holding onto their catches this time around. Lahiru Kumara’s fiery spell jolted the Afghans initially, and it was the Wanindu Hasaranga show after the powerplay. The ace spinner returned with sumptuous bowling figures of 3/13, choking the Afghanistan batters in the middle overs.