5 signature moments from the Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan match that dont fade away
World T20 defending champions Sri Lanka have had a horrid run of late, having lost the T20I seriesagainst India followed by another dismal performance in the Asia Cup T20 where they finished withonly one win.With bowling spearhead Lasith Malinga sitting out of their first World T20 match due to injury it wasnever going to be easy for Sri Lanka. To make matters even trickier, they were pitted againstchallenging opponents in Afghanistan, who had a perfect run in the World T20 Qualifiers.Just like in Wednesdays games though, where experience won matches for Pakistan and WestIndies, Sri Lankas hero turned out to be Tillakaratne Dilshan. The veteran opener played a brilliantknock to carry his side across the finishing line.Afghanistan gave it their very best and did not let Sri Lanka have an easy chase, yet again showinghow far they have come as a cricketing nation. The match produced many amazing moments that dont fade away, just like the Axe Signature lineof body perfumes. Here are five of the most memorable episodes from the game:
#1 Captain Stanikzai leads Afghan fightback with back-to-back sixes
After 12 overs, Afghanistan were reeling at 59/4 and did not look likely to reach even a total of 120 in their 20 overs. Captain Asghar Stanikzai was on 17 off 23 balls, a score that did not exactly fit the T20 format.
However, in the 13th over, Milinda Siriwardana was introduced into the attack by Angelo Mathews and Stanikzai decided to take on the left-arm spinner. The Afghan captain hit the Sri Lankan all-rounder for consecutive sixes in the fourth and fifth balls of the over, scoring 16 runs off the over.
Stanikzai ended his innings with 62 off 47 balls, hitting 3 fours and 4 sixes to help his side not only cross 120, but get to a respectable and competitive total of 153.