T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka keep semifinals hopes alive with six-wicket win over Afghanistan

Sri Lanka moved into the third place from last in their group to rekindle slim hopes of qualifying for the T20 World Cup semifinals with a six-wicket win over Afghanistan on Tuesday at the Gabba.

Wanindu Hasaranga claimed three wickets as Sri Lanka restricted Afghanistan to 144 for eight after Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat. The leg-spinner is the leading wicket taker in the competition with 13.

Sri Lanka, 148-4, were not really tested during the run chase as Dhananjaya de Silva posted a half-century to see his team through. The Sri Lankan vice-captain hadn’t made a 50 since January 2020 and his knock was a timely one as the former champions collected two points to get back into contention.

De Silva shared a 34-run stand with Kusal Mendis for the second wicket as Sri Lanka got off to a good start. Mendis needed nine deliveries to get off the mark but finished on 25 off 27 deliveries with two 4s and one 6. Sri Lanka badly needed a good start after losing four wickets for eight runs in their previous game inside four overs.

De Silva was dropped on 39 by Gulbadin Naib as he failed to hold on to a return catch. He scored the winning runs, an elegant cover drive for four off Fazalhaq Farooqi to finish unbeaten on 66, his career-best score as Sri Lanka won with nine deliveries to spare. De Silva faced 42 balls and hit six fours and two sixes.