World T20: Dilshan blitz leads Sri Lanka to convincing win against spirited Afghanistan

Published March 17, 2016
Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan plays a shot. — AFP
Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan plays a shot. — AFP

KOLKATA: Sri Lanka got their World T20 campaign off the mark with a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in their first Super 10 match at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.

Veteran opener Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed an undisputed 83 off just 56 balls, plundering eight fours and three sixes against an inexperienced Afghan attack and finished off the chase with an over and a ball to spare.

Earlier, Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai hit a career-best 62 to help the qualifiers post 153 for seven.

Stanikzai won the toss and opted to bat first on a slow wicket at Eden Gardens but his team struggled to get going before accelerating towards the end of their innings.

The Afghan captain hit four sixes and three fours in his 47-ball knock before falling in the penultimate over. Samiullah Shenwari (31) chipped in with a 14-ball cameo while Thisara Perera (3-33) was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers.

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