<p>In-form Sri Lanka sailed into the summit clash of the Asia Cup cricket tournament with a resounding 129-run bonus point win over minnows Afghanistan, here on Monday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Opting to bat, the islanders rode on Kumar Sangakkara’s patient 76 and skipper Angelo Mathews’ breezy 41-ball 45 to post a competitive 253/6 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. In reply, Afghanistan were bundled out for 124 in 38.4 overs, sealing Sri Lanka’s place in the final of the five-nation continental tournament. <br />Sri Lanka’s victory means that India will have no chance to qualify for the final if Pakistan win even their remaining game. <br /><br />India have lost two of their three matches and need to win with a bonus point against Afghanistan and hope that Bangladesh score an upset victory over Pakistan.<br />Sri Lanka are comfortably placed atop the table with 13 points from three games.<br />Afghanistan’s run-chase never really had the momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping to 73 for five in the 21st over.<br /><br />Their batting was in stark contrast to the efforts put in by the Afghan bowlers, who kept the Lankan batsmen in check for a major part of their innings before Mathews let loose.<br /><br />Sangakkara, though, was the man who kept the Lankan innings afloat when the going got difficult.<br /><br />Afghan captain Mohammad Nabi contributed 37, while Noor Ali Zadran (21) and Asghar Stanikzai (27) got out after getting starts. Nabi hit three fours and a six during his 40-ball knock.<br /><br />The rest of the batting caved in without putting up any sort of resistance, a far cry from their outing against hosts Bangladesh, who were humbled by the spirited Afghans a couple of days ago. Among the wickets for Sri Lanka were Ajantha Mendis (3/11), Thisara Perera (3/29) and Chaturanga de Silva (2/29), who proved to be a handful. <br /><br /></p>
<p>In-form Sri Lanka sailed into the summit clash of the Asia Cup cricket tournament with a resounding 129-run bonus point win over minnows Afghanistan, here on Monday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Opting to bat, the islanders rode on Kumar Sangakkara’s patient 76 and skipper Angelo Mathews’ breezy 41-ball 45 to post a competitive 253/6 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. In reply, Afghanistan were bundled out for 124 in 38.4 overs, sealing Sri Lanka’s place in the final of the five-nation continental tournament. <br />Sri Lanka’s victory means that India will have no chance to qualify for the final if Pakistan win even their remaining game. <br /><br />India have lost two of their three matches and need to win with a bonus point against Afghanistan and hope that Bangladesh score an upset victory over Pakistan.<br />Sri Lanka are comfortably placed atop the table with 13 points from three games.<br />Afghanistan’s run-chase never really had the momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping to 73 for five in the 21st over.<br /><br />Their batting was in stark contrast to the efforts put in by the Afghan bowlers, who kept the Lankan batsmen in check for a major part of their innings before Mathews let loose.<br /><br />Sangakkara, though, was the man who kept the Lankan innings afloat when the going got difficult.<br /><br />Afghan captain Mohammad Nabi contributed 37, while Noor Ali Zadran (21) and Asghar Stanikzai (27) got out after getting starts. Nabi hit three fours and a six during his 40-ball knock.<br /><br />The rest of the batting caved in without putting up any sort of resistance, a far cry from their outing against hosts Bangladesh, who were humbled by the spirited Afghans a couple of days ago. Among the wickets for Sri Lanka were Ajantha Mendis (3/11), Thisara Perera (3/29) and Chaturanga de Silva (2/29), who proved to be a handful. <br /><br /></p>