Sri Lanka eke out four-run victory over Afghanistan

Sri Lanka`s Matheesha Pathirana (C) celebrates with teammates Kunal Mendis (L) and Maheesh Theekshana (R) after taking the wicket of unseen Afghanistan batter Karim Janat during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at The Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla. Pic/AFP

Rookie Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana claimed four wickets to help rescue the hosts after their batting collapse and hand Afghanistan a narrow four-run defeat in Saturday's T20I opener.

Sri Lanka were all out for 160 with six balls remaining and Afghan opener Ibrahim Zadran led the reply, batting through the innings with 67 not out.

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But, his chase was bereft of support, with the next top-scorer Karim Janat making 20 at No. 7 before Pathirana sent him back.

Pathirana, 21, was given man of the match honours for only his second career T20 match after two quick dismissals that left Afghanistan still short by 11 at the end of the penultimate over.

Brief scores
Sri Lanka 160 in 19 overs (W Hasaranga 67; F Farooqi 3-25, N Haq 2-25, A Omarzai 2-30) beat Afghanistan 156-9 in 20 overs (I Zadran 67'; M Pathirana 4-24, D Shanaka 2-17) by four runs

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