Asia Cup 2018, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi, Talking Points
Afghanistan won their Asia Cup 2018 opener convincingly by 91 runs against Sri Lanka on Monday (September 17). The team members played a fantastic all-round cricket at  Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi/ Getty Images

Afghanistan won their Asia Cup 2018 opener convincingly by 91 runs against Sri Lanka on Monday (September 17). The team members played a fantastic all-round cricket at  Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Well, a lot has taken place during the game to make it to the talking points of the day.

However, earlier in the day, Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan won the toss and opted to bat first. Afghanistan was off to a cautious start with the openers Mohammad Shahzad, and Ihsanullah Janat put on 57 runs in just under 12 overs.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dhananjaya provided the first breakthrough for his team. Wicketkeeper-batsman Shahzad was the man to depart, and Afghanistan lost their first wicket.

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Moreover, there was another half-century stand between Ihsanullah and Rahmat Shah. The Afghanistan dressing room looked relaxed at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Furthermore, Sri Lanka found another wicket after the two batsmen added 50 more runs for the second wicket.

Umpire Gregory Brathwaite was not impressed with Akila’s shout for an LBW. However, the Sri Lankans opt for a review, and got the decision in their favour. There was also an 80-run partnership between Rahmat and Hashmatullah Shahidi. This helped Afghanistan to reach 190 when Sri Lanka bowler Dushmantha Chameera sent the Afghan top-scorer back to the pavilion.

Asia Cup 2018, Match 3: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi – Five Talking Points
PC: Getty Images

However, while chasing down the target, Sri Lanka lost their first wicket without scoring a single run in the board. Afghanistan bowler, Mujeeb Ur Rahman picks up the very first wicket of the second delivery he bowled. In the middle, Upal Tharanga and Dhananjaya de Silva added 54 runs for their second wicket.

Sri Lanka was facing difficulties in the middle overs to maintain their wickets. Afghanistan bowlers as well as the fielders did some splendid job and picking up the wickets at regular interval.

Sri Lankan batsman were unable to build up a good partnership amongst themselves. Comedy of errors costs two run outs.

However, Sri Lanka only manages to score 158 runs losing all their ten wickets within 41.2 overs.

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We take a look at five talking points from the match:

Rahmat Shah scored a half-century:

Asia Cup 2018, Match 3: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi – Five Talking Points
PC: Getty Images

A measured half-century from Rahmat Shah took Afghanistan to a decent 249 against Sri Lanka. Rahmat went on to complete his half-century, and this is his 12th in the format.

However, he reached the landmark with a boundary. He fell after scoring 72 off 90 with five fours in it.

Thisara Perera takes a five-wicket haul:

Asia Cup 2018, Match 3: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi – Five Talking Points
PC: Getty Images

Thisara Perera’s five-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka bowl out Afghanistan for 249 in their opening match of the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, Perera returned figures of five for 55 as Sri Lanka picked up seven wickets in the last eight overs of Afghanistan innings on a pitch that looked to be on the slower side.

Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah partnered a brilliant knock:

Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Afghanistan lost their third wicket when the scoreline was 110 runs. Meanwhile, after that, the duo Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah played fabulous innings of 80 runs which helped their team to post a score of 249 runs.

Afghan batters added 80 runs in just 91 balls. They played very cautiously to end on a decent total. However, Shahidi hits two boundaries off his 37 runs and Shah with five off his 72 runs.

Dhananjaya de Silva departs after a chaotic runout:

Dhananjaya de Silva
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

There was a comedy of errors between Dhanjaya de Silva and Upul Tharanga. It was a slower ball that was glided down to the third man and Dhananjaya was keen to take the second, but his partner didn’t express any liking.

Tharanga was watching the ball, and he had no clue of his partner’s whereabouts. And while all of this was happening, the throw came in at the striker’s end, and Shahzad was quick to whip the bails off before realising the state of disaster the Sri Lankan batsmen were in.

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However, both batsmen of Sri Lanka were stranded at the striker’s end and on seeing that Shahzad hurled it back towards the bowler’s end. Naib though panicked as the throw was wide and dragged himself onto the stumps inadvertently.

Mohammad Nabi bowled terrific spell:

Mohammad Nabi
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Afghanistan bowler Mohammad Nabi bowled a splendid spell of 10 overs. He managed to take two wickets to his name. He took the wicket of dangerman Thisara Perera, who was looking dangerous to score runs. He always tries to put some good show and did yet another for his team.

With this, it completes the five talking points of the Abu Dhabi game between Afghanistan and Sri Laka. With this loss, Sri Lanka is out of the Asia Cup 2018 race.