by The Professor » Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:22 pm
On this day in 2015 the best game of the World Cup so far was played out between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan started by playing above themselves predominantly through the third wicket partnership of 88 between Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari. By the end of the innings Afghanistan were 128-2. The game could have been much closer if Afghanistan had lost Shenwari to the most narrow of DRS decisions on 25 but they ploughed on to their high score. Stanikzai was the more dominant batsmen bringing his fifty off his fiftieth ball.
The middle order held up well against growing pressure from Sri Lanka, but they could have pushed on to force the issue for their side. Sri Lanka were ineffective with the ball and Afghanistan increasingly ineffective with the bat.
Sri Lanka started poorly and at one point were 51 for 4 chasing 233 but Mahela Jayawardene provided the middle order stability to push on, however not even the Sri Lankan master felt comfortable. Afghanistan's Dawlat Zadran was the main impetus of pain for Sri Lanka in early overs when, within two overs, the most dangerous pair of Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakaratne Dilshan were sent back for 0. The early horror show continued with the cheap dismissal of Kumar Sangakkara to leave Sri Lanka on 18-3.
Angelo Matthews and Jayawardene came together to provide stability for the Sri Lankans. Matthews proved the less dominant partner as a century for Jayawardene sparked the impetus needed for Sri Lanka to seize the win. Even Jayawardene was late to the party, waiting until his half century to kick start his innings.
Jeevan Mendis and Thisara Perera finished off the come back much to Sri Lanka's relief.
"It has been said of the unseen army of the dead, on their everlasting march, that when they are passing a rural cricket ground the Englishman falls out of the ranks for a moment to look over the gate and smile."