KOLKATA: Asghar Stanikzai led from the front with a half century as Afghanistan overcame a slow start to post a challenging 153/7 against defending champions Sri Lanka in their ICC World T20 Super 10 opener at the Eden Gardens today.
The Lankans stifled Afghanistan top-order by reducing them to 51/4 after 11 overs before Stanikzai (62 off 47 balls) and Samiullah Shenwari (31 off 23) built the innings.
The duo stitched 61 off 33 balls for the fifth wicket and Stanikazai got a life twice, on 34 and 44 respectively.
Stanikzai was at his explosive best towards the later stages and hit Thisara Perera’s widish full length delivery over long on with one foot, reminding one of the trademark helicopter shot of Indian skipper MS Dhoni. (AGENCIES)
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