Sri Lanka beats Afghanistan by 6 wickets

IANS KOLKATA, March 17 Sri Lanka, defending champions, commence their 2016 campaign with a convincing six-wicket win over Afghanistan at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday. Set a 154-run target, Sri Lanka got off to a brisk start before losing quick wickets but Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 83 powered them across the line. Here’s a look at the major talking points from the day’s play. Shenwari and Stanikzai came together in the 12th over of the innings, with the scoreboard reading a disappointing 51/4. Their task was simple – bat long and bat big. After a watchful start, and seeing wickets fall at the other end, Stanikzai led from the front with a little charge in the middle overs. He attacked the spinner Siriwardana and cleared the ropes on four occasions during his 47-ball 62. The skipper did inject stability with Shenwari but more importantly allowed the all-rounder to fire on all cylinders. The right-hander responded in fine fashion – hitting 31 off only 14 balls and gave the total a much needed push towards the end. The duo put on 61 in just 6.3 overs and ensured their bowlers have something to bowl at.Dilshan found form at the end of the Asia Cup when he smashed an unbeaten 75 against Pakistan in the dead rubber. But only to drop it with two ducks in the warm-up matches. The opener was under pressure and a batsman of his style holds key for any side in this format. Dilshan started with intent – hitting a couple of sixes – and never looked back. There were fall of wickets at the other end but it didn’t affect his game one bit. The 39-year-old’s running between the wickets was exceptionally good during his 13th T20I fifty. Single handedly, the opener took the game away from the opposition and didn’t really allow them to sneak their way back into the game.