Dubai: Afghanistan sent a loud and clear message of their arrival at the 2022 T20 Asia Cup to the rest of the competitors after they stunned the 2014 T20 world champions Sri Lanka in the tournament opener here on Saturday.
Afghanistan coasted to a comfortable 8-wicket victory with almost 10 overs to spare after they raced past a paltry 106 runs target set by Sri Lanka.
Batting first Sri Lanka posted 105 all out in 19.4 overs. They were completely pulverized from the start of the match as their batsmen could not stick on to the incisive Afghanistan bowling attack led by Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/11). They also could not read skipper Mohammad Nabi (2/14) and Mujeeb ur Rahman's (2/24) spin, who picked up a couple of wickets apiece.
Only three Sri Lankan batsmen managed to reach double figures, otherwise it was a complete batting collapse. Their bowlers also were not in their colours as their marquee bowlers Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were clobbered by Afghan openers Hazratullah Zazai (37 no) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (40 off 18 balls, 3x4s 4x6s).
Gurbaz was tricked by a googly late in the innings by Hasaranga and Ibrahim Zadran (15) was unfortunately run out on Theekshana's throw, but these dismissals did not have any impact on the game as Afghanistan gleefully crossed the mark.
Earlier, Farooqi set the tone upfront by packing off Kusal Mendis (2) and Asalanka (0) off back-to-back deliveries in the very first over.
Naveen-ul-Haq, Farooq's new-ball buddy, scalped opener Pathum Nissanka (3) in the very next over to reduce Lanka to 5/3.
Danushka Gunathilaka (17) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (38) took the challenge to the Afghan's camp as they pummelled a flurry of boundaries, but the 44-run stand for 4th wicket was broken by Mujeeb when Gunathilaka holed out at deep cover.
Post Gunathulaka's departure, Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals as they were reduced to a 75/9 from 49/4 which was studded with crazy runouts on two occasions.
Afghanistan bowlers, except Azmatullah Omarzai, were fabulous. If not for Chamika Karunaratne (31 off 38, 3x4s 1x6), Sri Lanka would not have crossed 100 runs mark.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 105 in 19.4 overs (Bhanuka Rajapaksa 38, Chamika Karunaratne 31; Fazalhaq Farooqi 3/11, Mohammad Nabi 2/14) lost to Afghanistan106/2 in 10.1 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 40, Hazratullah Zazai 37*; Wanindu Hasaranga 1/19) by 8 wickets.
