Highlights, Asia Cup 2018, Match 3: Sri Lanka ousted after suffering 91-run defeat to Afghanistan

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup: 

Highlights, Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2018, Match 3: A dream start to the tournament for the minnows and a shocking defeat for the 1996 World Cup champions. This will jolt them badly. A 91 run defeat is a thrashing and it will take a lot of effort on their part to overcome this loss and bounce back. Afghanistan's bowling was second to none. All their bowlers except for Aftab Alam managed to take two wickets each and two run outs of De Silva and Jayasuriya sealed it for them. Earlier in the day, we saw a mature batting effort from a very young team looking to find their feet in the international arena. They showed tremendous application and a strong desire to fight it out and put up a competitive total on the board. With Sri Lanka in not the best of form and with the skill of the Afghan bowlers, we surely did expect a contest but never expected it to be so one sided in favor of the latest country to get Test status. (SCORECARD)

HIGHLIGHTS, SRI LANKA VS AFGHANISTAN, ASIA CUP 2018, MATCH 3

00.20 IST: Afghanistan (249) beat Sri Lanka (158) by 91 runs in Abu Dhabi. Rashid 2/26, Naib 2/29. Lasith Malinga OUT! As plumb as it can get! The middle of middle stump is where the ball would have smashed into, as per Hawk Eye. Rashid Khan unveils his magic as he fires this very full delivery in line with the stumps. Malinga being Malinga looks to swing across the line looking to hit the ball towards the mid-wicket area. However, the Sri Lankan pacer gets beaten in flight and pace. The ball sneaks under his bat swing and the ball disrupts the poles behind. The Sri Lankan innings has capitulated here as they are all out for 158 as the ever impressive Afghanistan start their 2018 Asia Cup campaign with a thumping win by 91 runs. Is it the end of Sri Lanka's journey in the tournament? Only pride to play for now.

00.18 IST: Gulbadin Naib to Dushmantha Chameera, 1 run. A length ball around off is taped into the point region for a single.

00.14 IST: OUT! Naib removes Perera for 28. The death rattle! naib does the trick for his team. He takes out Perera with a slower length ball around off, angling in from around the wicket. Perera with an intention to deposit the ball in the stands in the mid-wicket region but he completely loses his shape and balance. The ball goes under his bat and crashes into the wooden sticks behind. Just the lone wicket remaining now. Can Afghanistan finish this off quickly? Sri Lanka 156/9 in 40.2 overs vs Afghanistan (249) in Abu Dhabi.

00.12 IST: Powerplay 3 has been signalled.

00.05 IST: Lasith Malinga walks out to the middle.

00.03 IST: OUT! Nabi removes Dananjaya for 2. That's the class of Nabi. He is definitely a world class bowler with his accuracy and his change in pace almost each ball. He flights this one as well and keeps it on off. Dananjaya goes for the wild slog across the line and completely misses the ball as he is seen losing his balance also. The ball crashes into the stumps and it looked a very ugly dismissal. Timely wicket for Afghanistan.  Sri Lanka 153/8 in 38.2 overs vs Afghanistan (249) in Abu Dhabi.

23.55 IST: Akila Dananjaya is the new batsman in. Can he be the hero with the bat for a change and take his side across the finish line?

23.54 IST: OUT! Mujeeb removes Shanaka for 0. Mujeeb strikes and at a very important stage. Shanaka can be a dangerous batsman. Afghanistan will be more than happy to see his back. Rahman keeps it a bit shorter around off stump. Shanaka, thinking it is a leg spinner, goes on the back foot to punch it hard through the off side. But for his shock and to Afghanistan's delight, the ball lands and comes into Shanaka. This means that Shanaka is completely bamboozled which results in the ball cutting into him and crashing into the timber behind.  Sri Lanka 144/7 in 35.3 overs vs Afghanistan (249) in Abu Dhabi.

23.52 IST: Dasun Shanaka is the new man in. Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes back into the attack.

23.51 IST: OUT! Nabi removes Mathews for 22. Mathews holes out and that's a body blow to Sri Lanka. A smart bowling change by the skipper. Nabi has done the trick. He tosses it up in the air and lands it full around middle. Angelo runs down the track with the intention to clear the long on fence. But he fails to gather enough distance on this one and is caught with ease by Rashid Khan in the deep. It's going from bad to worse for Sri Lanka, 107 needed off 90 balls. Sri Lanka 143/6 in 35 overs vs Afghanistan (249) in Abu Dhabi.

23.49 IST: Mohammad Nabi comes into the attack. How valuable will his experience be in such a tight situation?

23.44 IST: FOUR! This time on the legs of the left-hander. Thisara, against his natural style of play, delicately gets some bat on this quicker ball. The speed on the ball is enough to take it across the fine leg boundary.

23.34 IST: Rashid Khan into the attack. Can the world class competitor seal it for his team and contribute in a memorable win this evening? Interesting times ahead for sure...

23.31 IST: FOUR! That is all class! The attitude, the body language and the confidence being displayed by Mathews is simply breathtaking. Aftab fires in a very full delivery on middle and leg. Almost a yorker this but Mathews from within his crease just nonchalantly flicks it with utmost disdain. The ball is seen skimming across the outfield and crossing the deep mid-wicket boundary. Mathews putting up a fight in this do-or-die game for his team.

23.21 IST: Gulbadin Naib in for another spell.

23.18 IST: Thisara Perera joins his skipper.

23.17 IST: OUT! Jayasuriya run out for 14. Another confusion, another run out and another wicket gifted to the ever so delighted Afghans. Mujeeb from around the wicket tosses this full at his legs. Shehan leans across and flicks it into the deep mid-wicket region. The batsman have taken the first run quickly with an intention to come back for a brace. Not sure about Mathews but his left-handed partner definitely wanted to get back on strike. The fielder at mid-wicket collects the ball half-way to the boundary and fires in a flat one-bounce throw right on top of the stumps. Mujeeb has some simple work to do and he completes the formality by whipping off the bails in sheer joy. Mathews is seen letting out his frustration on Shehan as the lefty starts to walk back slowly and utterly disappointed. 142 more required from 22.5 overs, that is 133 balls.Get ready for a humdinger here. Sri Lanka 108/5 in 27.1 overs vs Afghanistan (249) in Abu Dhabi.

23.16 IST: Mujeeb Ur Rahman returns in the attack.

23.11 IST: Six runs from the over. Rashid Khan to Shehan Jayasuriya, no run. Jayasuriya defends it from within the crease. Afghanistan keep applying the pressure. SL 105/4 in 26 overs.

23.05 IST: Change. Mohammad Nabi is into the attack.

23.01 IST: Gulbadin Naib to Angelo Mathews, no run. Full and outside off, driven to covers. Dot ball. SL 95/4 in 23 overs.

22.52 IST: Shenan Jayasuriya is the new man in.

22.51 IST: OUT! Naib removes the threat! Sri Lanka are losing their way in this run chase and are digging their hole deeper. Another poor shot selection from the batsman causes his downfall. Fuller ball outside off again. Tharanga does not get under the ball and hits it straight to Asghar at mid off who takes it with glee. The well set batsman has to walk back and Sri Lanka are in big trouble. They need 162 runs in 178 balls at 5.46 rpo.  SL 88/4 in 20.2 overs.

* The Sri Lankan skipper and their best batsman, Angelo Mathews comes out to bat.

22.46 IST: OUT! And that's how Rashid makes his entry. Absolutely brilliant! SL 86/3 in 19.5 overs

22.43 IST: And Rashid makes his entry in the match. 

22.41 IST: FOUR! Streaky but Welcome! When you take a risk, take it with all your might. Alam bangs this one short, with an intention of surprising the batsman with a change in length but Perera is upto it as he responds with attacking instinct and plays the pull shot. The ball bounces a bit more than he expected and that results in a top edge which sails over the top of the keeper's head and runs across the boundary. Sri Lanka will take them whichever way they come. SL 83/2 in 19 overs

22.38 IST: FOUR! SL 74/2 in 17.5 overs

* Just a heads up, Rashid Khan is warming up!

22.34 IST: Missing leg, the extra drift in saves the batsman and goes against the bowler this time. How funny is this game? That's exactly why we like it so much.

22.30 IST: Review time as Sri Lanka go for it. The batsman in question is Upul Tharanga who has been given not out by the umpire and the Sri Lankans have challenged that decision.

22.28 IST:  Beaten again! This time the length is a bit short outside off. Tharanga stays back to cut but misses. He's disappointed with himself. Two dot balls after a boundary.

22.25 IST: FOUR! Smashed that cover drive! No fielder is getting to that. A length ball in the region outside off, Tharanga takes a stride forward and drills his drive through extra cover for a cracking boundary. SL 63/2 in 15.2 overs

22.23 IST: Appeal for an lbw! Not given. This one straightens a touch from around off. Tharanga tries to flick but probably his bat gets stuck on his pad. He misses and is rapped on the pads. They appeal but nothing from the umpire. Height factor?

22.21 IST: Tharanga turns this into the leg side but straight to the man at short fine and hence no run on offer there.

* Kusal Perera is the new man for Sri Lanka.

22.15 IST: OUT! A comedy of errors between the batsmen and Shahzad. It's a RUN-OUT! Big wicket for the Afghans. SL 55/2 in 13.2 overs

* The umpires have gone upstairs for a run out appeal. We will have to wait to understand who is out and who is not.

22.10 IST: 4 wides! Gift presented and Sri Lanka will happily accept. Nabi starts the over with a quicker delivery from around the wicket and angling into the batsman. The drift on it takes the ball down the leg side and Perera behind cannot stop it. Four runs gifted. SL 52/1 12 overs

22.07 IST: FOUR! SL 48/1 in 11.4 overs

22.08 IST: Nice tight line and length by Naib. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

* Powerplay 2 has been signalled. Now only 4 players will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle until the 40th over.

22.00 IST: SIX! Shot of the day! Glorious! Full and around off, de Silva extends his arms and lets the ball sail over the extra cover region. Holds his pose for the photographers to capture it. SL 40/1 in 9.4 overs

21.57 IST: Direct hit and Tharanga would have been a gonner. Plays this with soft hands towards mid on. Rashid there dives and has a shy at the non-striker's end. Tharanga dives but would have been still short.

21.55 IST: FOUR! That's his strength. Makes full use of the crease and times the ball perfectly. Short ball from Rahman on middle and leg. Upul rocks back and cuts it through point . The ball races to the boundary. SL 32/1 in 8.3 overs

21.48 IST: Two Wides. Angles this down the leg side. De Silva still goes after it but it's too far from him. Shahzad cannot get to the ball quickly as two more extras have been taken.

21.45 IST: Swing! Good bowling from Alam. Getting the ball to move both ways. Lands this outside off and the ball comes back in sharply. Beats the inside edge of Dhananjaya and Shahzad too fails to collect it. The pick up two bye runs.

21.42 IST: DROPPED! Shahzad has put down a catch behind the wickets. Slower ball outside off. Tharanga looks to play it with a straight bat but gets an inside edge to it. It goes into the hands of the keeper and pops out.

21.38 IST: Outside off, Upul looks to drive but gets a fat edge past the slip region. The ball goes towards the third man region where they comes back for the second run.

21.35 IST: Direct hit would have been close. Length outside off, Tharanga taps it towards point and hares to the other end. The fielder stationed there has a shy at the striker's end but misses.

21.32 IST: FOUR! Shot! Not afraid to use his feet and gets a boundary to his name. Raham gives this air outside off. De Silva reads it well, comes down the track and lofts it over covers for a good looking boundary . SL 10/1 in in 3 overs

21.28 IST: FOUR! Misses his line and strays his down the leg side. Tharanga helps it on it's way and it goes fine to the fine leg boundary. SL 4/1 in 1.3 overs

21.25 IST: Maiden over by Mujeeb. SL 0/1 in 1 over

21.22 IST: OUT! What a start for Afghanistan! Not so much for Sri Lanka. Guess what? Kusal Mendis fails again and register another duck to his name. Tossed up ball outside off. The ball spins in and hits Mendis on his pads who plays against the wrong line. Mujeeb appeals and the umpire takes his time in raising the finger. Mendis does not opt for the review and takes a slow walk back. Good he didn't decide to review it as replay show us that the umpire's call would stand. SL 0/1 in 0.2 overs

* We are back for the chase. Upal Tharanga and Kusal Mendis will open for the Men in Blue. Afghanistan have given the ball to Mujeeb to bowl the first over.

* Now then, the target is not going to be an easy one to chase, especially against a good bowling attack. The Sri Lankan batting failed miserably in the last game and it will be interesting to see if they have recovered from that. So, what do we have in store for us after the break? Will Sri Lanka stay alive in this year's Asia Cup or will Afghanistan book their berth in the top 4.

We will shortly be back with the chase in a while. 250 on the board and this is a must win for Sri Lanka of keeping their hopes alive of staying in the tournament. 

* An excellent come back by Sri Lanka! They have conceded only 66 runs in the last 10 overs, which sees the match hang in the balance at the moment. Afghanistan probably would feel they should have got more, especially after they had 7 wickets in the bag heading into the last 10. Rahmat Shah and Shahidi had laid the foundation with a 80-run stand but a cluster of wickets towards the end keep them intact.

20.52 IST: KABOOM! Fifer for Perera and Afghanistan do not reach the 250-run mark. Mujeeb again goes for the reverse sweep. Perera bowls it full and right at the base of middle. Mujeeb misses and sees the furniture behind get disturbed. So 3 wickets and 7 runs in the final over and AFGHANISTAN FINISH WITH 249!

20.50 IST: OUT! Knocks him over! Four-fer for Perera and he is delighted. This is very full and on off, Khan swings but misses, the ball hits Rashid's pads and then deflects onto the stumps. He walks back after playing a good cameo.  AFG 249/9 in 49.4 overs

20.47 IST: SIX! What a strike off the very first ball you face! That has been nailed! A full ball outside off, Alam clears his front leg and tonks it over the long off fence. So a wicket and a maximum of the first two balls. AFG 248/8 in 49.2 overs

20.46 IST: OUT! The last over starts off with a wicket! A low full toss on middle, Naib swings but it goes off the inner half towards square leg. Akila there moves swiftly towards his right and takes a very good catch inches above the ground. The Sri Lankan players start celebrating but the umpire asks the batsman to wait. He wants to check if the catch is clean. Time for the replays and after a few, the umpire gives it in the favor of the bowling side. AFG 242/8 in 49.1 overs

20.41 IST: FOUR! Second boundary in the over and Malinga has proven to be expensive today. The slower short ball on middle, Khan pulls it in the gap at the deep mid-wicket region and a boundary results. AFG 240/7 in 48.2 overs

20.39 IST: FOUR! Excellently played! A yorker on the pads, Rashid flicks it fine down the leg side and the ball races away to the fine leg fence. Afghanistan need a few more of these. AFG 234/7 in 48.2 overs

20.36 IST: OUT! Cutters after cutters meant there was absolutely no pace to work with. may be the lack of pace frustrated Zadran as he tries to blindly hoick this one into the leg side. The slower cutter does the trick as it takes the inner edge and crashes into the wooden sticks behind. An important wicket this as Zadran is amongst their leading scorers in the series and had the ability to hurt Sri Lanka. AFG 227/7 in 47.5 overs

20.32 IST: Another direct hit and once again it has been taken upstairs. Naib is the man in question.

20.29 IST: OUT! Malinga removes Nabi for 15. This time it carries and Thisara takes another excellent catch. Why excellent? 1) He had to make a lot of ground 2) He had to have one eye on the fielder coming from the long off region. Malinga bowls the slower ball on middle, Nabi is foxed completely. He tries to go big but stops his shot as the ball never arrives. It hits the bat and lobs over the bowler's head. Perera from long on, runs to his left and takes it above his head. The dangerous Nabi walks back without making much of an impact and this can surely make a difference of 10 to 15 runs to the final score. AFG 222/6 in 46.3 overs

20.27 IST: Dropped! Dananjaya at it once again. Nabi hits it hard, fails to go the distance and it's been dropped. AFG 222/5 in 46.2 overs

20.25 IST: SIX! Nabi's shot has gone the distance. Cracking shot by the all-rounder. AFG 219/5 in 46 overs

20.25 IST: NOT OUT! Nabi is in but a dot! Length again on off, Zadran pushes it towards covers. Nabi sets off for a run but then is sent back by his partner. The fielder at covers, collects it and hits the stumps at the bowler's end. The players appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show, Nabi is well in.

20.19 IST: Full and on off, the batsman strokes it through covers for a brace. Good start to the over for Afghanistan, they need a big over.

* Najibullah Zadran is the new man in.

201.6 IST: OUT! TIMBER! Shahidi departs and both the set batsmen are now in the hut! Shahidi seems to have gone into a shell, he was struggling to score quickly and that was the need of the hour. He falls in an attempt to do so. It was the seam up delivery on middle, Shahidi swings across the line but misses to see his leg stump get uprooted. Perera strikes in his first over of his new spell and Afghanistan now seem to be losing their way. AFG 203/5 in 44.1 overs

20.14 IST: 200 Up for Afghanistan! They have shattered Sri Lanka's expectations and with six overs to go, we may see the batsmen pull out their big guns. AFG 201/4 in 44 overs

20.08 IST: The batsman has been hit on the pads as he tried to sweep that one. It would be advisable to play with a straight bat rather than going for horizontal shots.

20.01 IST: OUT! Chameera removes Rahmat for 72. In the air... and taken! No ton for Shah and a timely wicket for Sri Lanka. They have gotten rid of the well-set batsman. Chameera gets his first and breaks the 80-run stand. He bowls a well-disguised slower ball on middle, Rahmat is completely deceived as he is a touch early into the shot. He only manages to hit it high up in the air towards long on. Perera there first runs ahead but then takes a few steps back and takes a tumbling catch. Rahmat Shah walks back after playing a very good innings, his partnership with Shahidi has set the platform for the big hitters coming in. AFG 190/4 in 41.1 overs

19.58 IST: FOUR! Misfielding at fine leg. That releases all the pressure. Poor by Akila, he should be stopping that. The bouncer on the body of the batsman. Shah swivels and pulls it towards fine leg. Akila there runs but dives over the ball and concedes a boundary. AFG 189/3 in 40.5 overs

19.56 IST: Powerplay 3 has been signaled. Now, a maximum of 5 fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle.

19.50 IST: FOUR! Ball bad and Akila pays the price. Short and outside off, Shah has all the time in the world to rock back and cut it through point, beating the diving fielder at point and the ball races away.

19.43 IST: Rahmat Shah Dropped! A tough chance but you have seen these taken! And Mathews would have loved for that to be caught as they are in a desperate need of a wicket. Also, it was of the set batsman, Shah. Malinga bowls the slower one on middle, Shah flicks it uppishly towards deep square leg. Dasun there runs in and puts in a dive but can't hang on to it. The batsmen take two and a life for Shah. The dropped catches against Bangladesh cost them, will this also?

19.35 IST: FOUR! Smart, very smart. It's not always about brute force and power, some clever thinking helps as well. Malinga starts with a shortish delivery on middle. Shahidi leans back and angles his bat in such a way that the ball, from the bat face, flies over the slips cordon because of Lasith's pace. The ball crosses the boundary line like a tracer bullet.

19.34 IST: Lasith Malinga, the king of block-holes, comes back into the attack.

19.30 IST: FIFTY! Rahmat Shah hits 12th ODI half-century off 63 balls. Take that! That has been hit with authority! On a length around off, Shah stands tall and slaps it over the bowler's head and the ball races away. He gets to his fifty in style. 12th in this format. He raises his bat to soak in the applause from the crowd. He has built this innings very nicely and he would not want to throw it away now. A ton is on offer and Afghanistan would love for him to get there. He surely holds the key for Afghanistan to get to a good total and he knows that. Afghanistan 154/3 in 34.3 overs vs Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.

19.29 IST: Hashmatullah Shahidi NOT OUT! Well, well in! Shahidi pushes this towards mid off and sets off for a run. Rahmat this time is the one to respond late. The fielder runs to the ball, collects it cleanly and hits bull's eye at the striker's end. The players appeal, the umpire at first shakes his head but then takes it upstairs. Just to be sure. Replays roll in and they show the batsman to be well in.

19.28 IST: Thisara Perera is back on.

19.23 IST: Time for Drinks. Afghanistan marching on, slow and steady. 17 more overs remaining and they will hope to get at least another 100 more considering they have 7 wickets still in the bag. The Lankans now the threat that the Afghan bowlers carry and hence will be keen on wrapping up the innings at the earliest.

19.18 IST: Akila Dananjaya comes back into the attack.

19.12 IST: FOUR! A bit of Kumar Sangakkara in that say Dean Jones! Full and wide outside off, Shahidi drives it square on the off side. The fielder from third man runs to his left, dives and he seems to have stopped it. The umpire takes it upstairs to check and replays show that he touches the ropes as tries to push the ball back in.

19.02 IST: FOUR! Lovely shot! Crisp and a boundary! On the pads, Shah won't miss out there, he clips it through mid-wicket and the ball races away.

19.00 IST: Dushmantha Chameera is back on.

18.57 IST: FOUR! Poor ball and put away! Very short and outside off, Rahmat goes back and slaps it through covers. No fielder in the deep and a boundary results.

18.53 IST: Hashmatullah Shahidi walks out to bat.

18.52 IST: OUT! Jayasuriya removes Asghar Afghan for 1. Huge, huge blow for Afghanistan! Their skipper departs without troubling the scorers a lot. Two quick wickets for Sri Lanka and they are now right back into this. Good change in pace there by Jayasuria, he fires it on middle, Afghan tries to work it on the leg side but he misses, maybe due to the pace of the delivery. It hits him on the pads, the players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Asghar starts walking straightaway as he knows he is a dead duck. Afghanistan 110/3 in 26 overs vs Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.

18.50 IST: The Sri Lankans have gone for the review. The batsman in question is Ihsanullah. Looked tight to the naked eye. But pitching outside leg might just save him.

18.48 IST: The Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan walks into the middle. Can he come up with a captani's innings?

18.47 IST: OUT! Dananjaya removes Ihsanullah for 45. That is how you use the DRS system, well done Sri Lanka. That looked close but the batsman had some hope, however, he has to depart now. Dhananjaya tosses this one up on the middle stump line. Insanullah goes for the sweep, but goes right across the line and against the turn. That's too much risk taken on a single ball and that results in the batsman misses the ball and is struck in front of middle. The Sri Lanka team is up and shouting, they are sure they have got their scalp but the umpire disappoints them. Mathews discusses with his troops and they decide to go upstairs. May be a tactical review this one as 24 overs have been bowled and it is a big wicket of the well set opener. The second Afghan wicket goes down but the question is will they collapse or continue progressing towards a competitive total. Afghanistan 107/2 in 24.4 overs vs Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.

18.36 IST: The magician, Akila Dhananjaya, comes back into the attack.

18.25 IST: FOUR! A beauty of a shot! A majestic pull for four. Perera bangs this one to get it high upto the batsman's chest. Insanullah swivels and pulls is with a strong bottom hand. The power is so good on that shot that the fielder at deep square leg had a small distance to cover to his left but cannot cut off the racing ball. AFG 91/1 in 18.5 overs.

18.23 IST: FOUR! A boundary from the moment he hit it. Some really good aggression from Afghanistan. Looks like Ihsanullah is well set now, is watching the ball like a basket ball and his side will dearly want him to be there in the middle as long as possible.

18.22 IST: Dhananjaya de Silva to Rahmat Shah, 2 runs. de Silva fires this one on the legs of Shah, the batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot into the square leg region. The batsmen have picked up a brace to end the over.

18.10 IST: Dhananjaya de Silva to Ihsanullah, 1 run. A very full ball around off, driven towards the mid-off region to end the over with a fourth single in the over. AFG 75/1 in 16 overs.

18.04 IST: Thisara Perera comes back into the attack.

17.56 IST: EDGED BUT RUNS! Akila Dananjaya to Rahmat Shah, 3 runs. Rahmat Shah Dropped? technically yes, but it would have been a stunner. A chance of a second wicket in the over is gone abegging. The magician tosses this on up around off. Shah waits back and goes for the drive through covers. The ball lands and turns away marginally to take the outside edge and the nut flies past the right of diving Angelo Mathews at first slip. He tried well there but just could not reach to the ball. AFG 60/1 in 12 overs.

17.53 IST: OUT! Dananjaya removes Mohammad Shahzad for 34. After a good start by the Afghanistani opening pair, it's Dananjaya's magic with his fingers that has done Shahzad in here. The wily spinner tosses this around off. Shahzad sees the ball is a bit short of full length, goes back looking to punch it through covers. It's the carrom ball, spin in ever so slightly and beats Shahzad who gets rapped dead in front. First blood for Sri Lanka and they will look to pick a couple more soon to add to the pressure. Afghanistan 57/1 in 11.4 overs vs Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.

17.51 IST: SIX! Super sixer by Shahzad. This is like the attacking opener we have seen so much of in the past. Shahzad dances down the track as soon as the ball leaves Dananjaya's hand. Does not get completely to the pitch of this tossed up ball just outside off. He goes through with the swing, connects magnificently for the ball to fly over the long off boundary for a brutal maximum.

17.49 IST: 50 up for Afghanistan! Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run. A good length ball on off and angling into Shahzad. The batsman tries to push at it and gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. They pick up a single.

17.40 IST: FOUR! That's a dominating shot from Shahzad. A bit unconventional but very effective. And that is what matters in the end. Perera goes for the surprise short ball but Shehzad is alert enough as he pulls this one very Shahzadesque over the mid-wicket region. The fielder at the square leg fence tries to run across and stop but cannot and Afghanistan get a boundary.

17.38 IST: Akila Dananjaya to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run. Again, Shahzad looks to go big with a slog sweep. He does not connect properly and the ball goes towards deep mid-wicket for a run. So not a lot of purchase for Akila in his first. The pacers also did not receive a lot of help from the surface, seems to be a belter.

17.36 IST: Spinner introduced early! Akila Dananjaya is into the attack.

17.32 IST: FOUR! A super cover drive. So so good to the eyes. Perera gives a bit of width on this one and Ihsanullah cashes in. He leans forward and drives through covers to bring up a beautiful boundary which takes him on 14.

17.30 IST: Thisara Perrera is the first change bowler.

17.24 IST: FOUR! Janat joins the party. Malinga dishes this on a length a bit outside off, Ihsanullah plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. The timing and placement is so good that the ball races to the boundary in a jiffy.

17.22 IST: FOUR! IT'S A FEARLESS START! Clever, Cheeky and Skillful. Malinga changes his length completely and bangs this one short outside off. Shahzad, initially looking to sway back is watching the ball continuously and at the last moment decides to raise his bat for the ball to kiss the bat face and fly over the slips region. The fielder at third man tries hard to run, dive and take the difficult chance but he misses the ball completely as it rolls across the boundary.  AFG 23/0 in 4.4 overs.

17.17 IST: FOUR! Cracking shot! The best so far. Chameera keeps it fuller and a bit wide of off. Shahzad, with utmost flamboyance, goes down on one knee and plays a smashing lofted extra cover drive for a scintillating boundary.

17.15 IST: FOUR! Malinga strays again but this time Ihsanullah flicks it nonchalantly over the mid-wicket region for a classy boundary. Super shot, a confidence boosting one.  AFG 11/0 in 3 overs.

17.07 IST: Dushmantha Chameera will bowl from the other end with the second new ball.

17.06 IST: Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Shahzad, no run. Fuller ball on the stumps, it is driven to mid off.

17.02 IST: FOUR! Shahzad starts in style. They say if you want to slash, then slash hard. This is exacly what Shehzad has done here. Malings dishes this length ball a bit wide of off. Shezad goes after it and slashes at it. The ball takes the outer half of the bat and goes over the gully region towards the third man region and across the boundary to bring up the first boundary for Afghanistan. Brave cricket there from Shehzad as he takes Malinga on straight away.

17.00 IST: We are done and dusted with the respective national anthems. The umpires and the Sri Lankan players make their way out. The Afghanistan opening pair of Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah stride out to the middle with the former taking strike. Malinga will start the proceedings for Sri Lanka.

16.40 IST: Captain's Speak

Angelo Mathews: I was going to have a bat first as well. Looks a good pitch, decent covering of grass and should hold on well. Looks good to bat but you cannot win all the tosses. (On being in a must-win scenario) The more you think, more pressure you will put yourself under. Crucial to go out there and have some fun. He (Malinga) was terrific last game and hopefully he can contribute to a winning cause today. Three changes due to the conditions. Akila comes back in, as does Shehan Jayasuriya and Dushmantha Chameera. Aponso and Dilruwan miss out along with Suranga.

Asghar Afghan: We will bat first, want to put runs on the board and then defend it with our bowling. Seems like too much grass but we are used to playing in these conditions. We know the conditions well. We have one seamer, one all-rounder and three spinners apart from one part-time spinner.

16.30 IST: TOSS! Afghanistan win toss, opt to bat against Sri Lanka

16.00 IST: Hello and welcome to our Live Coverage of Match 3 of the Asia Cup 2018 between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan Sheikh Zayed Stadium at Abu Dhabi.