Dilshan powers Sri Lanka to win

OPENER Tillakaratne Dilshan smacked an unbeaten 83 off 56 balls to steer defending champions Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win over a spirited Afghanistan in the World Twenty20 yesterday.

Dilshan, 39, hit three sixes and eight fours as Sri Lanka overpowered Afghanistan’s 153/7 with seven balls to spare in their opening group match at the Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata.

Afghanistan, the only non-test team left in the fray, paid the price for some sloppy fielding after an impressive effort with the bat that saw skip- per Asghar Stanikzai make a fine 47-ball 62.

Dilshan gave Sri Lanka a flying start, smacking fast bowler Dawlat Zadran for two sixes on the trot.

Off-spinner Mohammad Nabi briefly put the brakes on Sri Lanka by dismissing opener Dinesh Chandimal for 18, before 17-year-old leg-spinner Rashid Khan accounted for Lahiru Thirimanne (six).

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad then sent back Thisara Perera with a direct throw at the stumps as Sri Lanka slipped to 85/3, but Dilshan held his nerve to ensure a smooth finish for his side in the end.

Earlier, Stanikzai led his side by example, while Samiullah Shenwari chipped in with a handy 31 to help Afghanistan recover from a shaky 51/4.

Paceman Thisara Perera picked up 3/33 in an otherwise disappointing show by the Sri Lankan bowlers, who let the Afghans off the hook after a promising start.

New Sri Lankan T20 captain Angelo Mathews gave the islanders the key breakthrough by having in-form opener Shahzad caught at mid-on for eight. – AFP