MIRPUR (BANGLADESH), March 3 (PTI): In-form Sri Lanka sailed into the summit clash of the Asia Cup cricket tournament with a resounding 129-run victory over minnows Afghanistan, here today.
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.
SCORECARD
Sri Lanka: Perera b Ashraf 33, Thirimanne b Shapoor 5, Sangakkara run out 76, Mahela c Nabi b Ashraf 14, Chandimal b Hotak 26, Mathews not out 45, Silva c Ashraf b Dawlat 17, Thisara not out 19. Extras: (LB-6, W-6, NB-6) 18. Total: (for 6 wickets in 50 overs) 253. Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-50, 3-83, 4-157, 5-158, 6-184. Bowling: Najibullah Zadran 3-0-9-0, Shapoor Zadran 9-1-46-1, Dawlat Zadran 9.2-0-60-1, Ashraf 8-1-29-2, Nabi 6.4-1-23-0, Hotak 7-1-43-1, Shenwari 4-0-20-0, Mangal 3-0-17-0.
Afghanistan: Shahzad b Lakmal 7, Noor Ali c Silva b Mendis 21, Stanikzai b Thisara 27, Mangal c Sangakkara b Perera 4, Samiullah c Thirimanne b Lakmal 6, Nabi lbw b Silva 37, Najibullah c Mathews b Thisara 11, Mirwais Ashraf c Thisara b Silva 1, Hamzalbw b Mendis 1, Dawlat b Mendis 0, Shapoor not out 0. Extras: (lb 2, w 7) 9. Total: (all out; 38.4 overs) 124. Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-53, 3-59, 4-61, 5-73, 6-121, 7-121, 8-122, 9-124. Bowling: Malinga 5-0-23-0, Lakmal 7-2-30-2, Thisara 10-2-29-3, Silva 9.4-1-29-2, Mendis 7-2-11-3.
