Twitter Reactions: Underdogs Sri Lanka stood tall to come out on top

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan lost their dangerous opener Mohammed Shahzad early. Ali Zadran got a good start but couldn’t convert it.

With Afghanistan’s score at 51/4 by the end of the eleventh over, it seemed a stroll in the park for Sri Lanka. However, Asghar Stanikzai played a sensational captain’s knock scoring a briskly 62 runs from 47 balls. He was well supported by Samiullah Shenwari who played a useful cameo of 31(14). Thisara Perera picked up 3 wickets while Herath grabbed 2.

The Sri Lankan batsmen put a stellar of a start. They seemed to be at a spot of bother at one point of time at 85/3. However, veteran Dilshan stepped up and scored a magnificent 83 runs off 56 balls. His knock included 3 sixes and eight boundaries as he led the Sri Lankan chase from the front.

But the highlight of his innings was his trademark shot, the Dilscoop off Dawlat Zadran which went for a six. Afghanistan on the other hand bowled well but their fielding was a huge let down which probably cost them the match.

In the end, Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets without any further hiccups with Dilshan being adjudged the player of the match. Here are some of the Twitter reactions that took place during the course of the game:

#AFG win the toss and will bat first. No Malinga for #SL, Afghanistan have left out Gulbudin Naib #SLvAFG #WT20

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 17, 2016

https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/710465164387049476

Afghans off the mark with a single first ball.

— Cricket365 (@Cricket365) March 17, 2016

This is one of the improvements from Shahzad, does not go hell for leather, unless the ball is there, happy to wait too. #WT20

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 17, 2016

Mohammad Shahzad scored 61, 41 and 40 in the three matches in Qualifying round.

Out for 8 in the main round today.#AFGvSL

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 17, 2016

Cheer from the crowd for every Afghanistan run. Gotta love sport.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 17, 2016

#AFG must be careful. 140 is enough here, do not over attack.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 17, 2016

https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/710480861028745216

150, if Afghanistan get that, may not be a huge score on a batting friendly Eden pitch, but would test the nerves of the Sri Lankan batsmen

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 17, 2016

#SL bowling too thin to take them through to the podium…Malinga missed but even his presence might not be enough. #WT20

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 17, 2016

Brilliant stuff this by Stanizkai.
He's made sure Afghanistan have a good enough total to pull off a victory from here. #SLvAFG #WT20

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) March 17, 2016

stanikzai slogs them bhangra style! #AFGvSL #WT20 #espnmatchday

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 17, 2016

Powerful hitting from Asghar Stanikzai. Have seen him do this before.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 17, 2016

Oh man. Afghanistan are totally in this match. Lovely performance.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 17, 2016

150 up …Afghanistan looking good ??✌? #AFGvSL

— Tarun ♞ (@tarun_0707) March 17, 2016

https://twitter.com/pillya/status/71049058215467008

106 runs in last ten overs from Afghanistan

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) March 17, 2016

A very respectable score in the end from #AFG, but will it be enough?
LIVE – https://t.co/lYsR1KBBTz#AFGvSL #WT20 pic.twitter.com/n7zejTmZ2A

— ICC (@ICC) March 17, 2016

Here we go! Hamid Hassan ready to bowl, as Sri Lanka chase 154 to win.

— Cricket365 (@Cricket365) March 17, 2016

It's not just about fighting the world but fighting perceptions…. Keep going #AFG#WT20 #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/aVS7xkxj3V

— Sonali Dhulap (@pillya) March 17, 2016

Afridi in form. Dilshan in form. Yuvraj out of form. What a time to be alive.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 17, 2016

Hamid Hassan looks like an Afghani Ashok Dinda #wt20 #AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/0dVWu9P7Vi

— Cricket Gandu (@CricketGandu) March 17, 2016

Afghanistan needed a wicket and their best cricketer provides them one. Nabi dismissed Chandimal on the second ball of his first over.

— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) March 17, 2016

https://twitter.com/thecricketcouch/status/710505105884385283

"Fearless Cricket" is how I would describe Afghanistan. You cant take them easy and they deserve respect in this format. #AFGvSL #WT20

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 17, 2016

https://twitter.com/thecricketcouch/status/710508611085139968

First competitive game of #WT20 features a team they made qualify twice. I love cricket

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) March 17, 2016

Got to admit Dilshan has hit top form with this new hair colour. Send all our lads to get red hair before the next match. #AFGvSL

— Cricket Fantasy (@Cricket_Fantasy) March 17, 2016

Young Rashid Khan is a brilliant bowler…hope the #IPL teams are watching. #AFG #WT20

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 17, 2016

Wow!!! Afghanistan is really doing this. Get to a TV people. #WT20

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) March 17, 2016

Heartbreaking to see a spirited team like Afghanistan going off the rails solely because of shoddy fielding… Incredibly dismal #WT20

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) March 17, 2016

inzamam's definitely influenced afghanistan's fielding! #AFGvSL #WT20 #espnmatchday

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 17, 2016

Afghanistan fielding defeats Afghanistan by 6 wickets. #SLvAFG #WT20

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) March 17, 2016

Well played, Afghanistan. An associate team gave the T20 Defending Champions a run for their money. This is what sport is all about. Love!

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 17, 2016