Afghanistan romped to an impressive eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium here on Saturday.
After being put in to bat, Sri Lanka lost the plot and crumbled to 105. The chase was over in quick time, with Afghanistan making the runs in 10.1 overs. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed an 18-ball 40 to put the match beyond the reach of the Lankans. Fellow opener Hazratullah Zazai (37 n.o., 28b, 5x4, 1x6) stuck around to finish the job.
Sri Lanka was pushed onto the backfoot in the very first over, when opener Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka fell to left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi. Mendis was trapped on the pads when attempting to flick, while Asalanka failed to negotiate a delivery which tailed in a long way.
