ICC World T20 2016: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets

As far as the World T20 is concerned, next up, we have for you a Group B game from Dharamsala between the Trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand, set to take place tomorrow at 3 PM (IST)! The Sportskeeda live coverage or that game starts at 2:30 PM (IST).

Afghanistan would look to take out positives from this game, as well as improve upon their fielding, that perhaps cost them this game.

Overall, some good cricket was on display tonight by Sri Lanka as they begin their title defence on a positive note. They would look take this momentum into the further games that they play in the World T20.

Sri Lanka off to a solid start in the World T20. #SLvAFG #WT20
— Jason Gillespie (@YCCCDizzy) March 17, 2016

"We fell 15-20 runs short. Misfields cost us too. We will look to improve our perfromance in the next game," says Asghar, the Afghanistan captain.

"It was a much-needed victory for us. The bowlers bowled pretty well. We played really good cricket in the practice games as well. We just gotta to go out there and be positive," says Mathews.

Although Thirimanne departed early, Perera and Kapugedera played brief cameos and played the perfect supporting role for Dilshan to guide the Lankan innings. There were a couple of lusty blows by Mathews too in the end.

They also didn't quite manage to pick up early wickets as Dilshan and Chandimal built up a 41-run opening stand to lay the plaform for the middle order.

Afghanistan gave things away in the last few overs, especially through their misfields that cost them 12 runs where there should have bene only 3.

"I needed runs in this game. I am really happy with this knock. I think we batted really well and built partnerships. The first match is really important in every tournament," says Dilshan.

Dilshan played a match winning innings of 83 not out off just 56 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes and he is the player of the match!

Great team effort with Dilshan and Herath leading. A quiet but solid start. Well done
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) March 17, 2016

Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets in their first league game!

18.5 Hassan to Dilshan, FOUR! Dilshan hits the winning four through midwicket and SL win their first game by six wickets!

18.4 Hassan to Dilshan, 2 runs, another yorker outside off, Dilshan guides it towards third man behind point for a couple

18.3 Hassan to Mathews, 1 run, full ball, squeezed towards long-on for a single

18.2 Hassan to Dilshan, 1 run , driven towards the on side towards long-on

18.1 Hassan to Dilshan, FOUR! Dilshan is playing a gem! Smashed through the covers for another four!

Afghanistan have given it away in the field in thelast 5 overs !

Just 11 needed now off the last 2 overs!

17.6 Zadran to Dilshan, 1 run, yorker outside off, Dilshan smashes it straight to cover, but sprints through for a quick single

17.5 Zadran to Mathews, 1 run, waist high full toss, Mathews guides it towards deep point for a single

17.4 Zadran to Mathews, FOUR! Driven through the on side, and beats the men at long on and deep midwicket for a four

17.3 Zadran to Mathews, FOUR! Another misfield! Bad cricket by Afghanistan! Outside edge off Mathews' bat, and the third man behind point misfields this time!

17.3 Zadran to Mathews, WIDE! Too high outside leg stump!

17.2 Zadran to Mathews, no run, inside edge, that almost drags itself onto the stumps, before Mathews tries to stop the ball from going to the stumps

17.1 Zadran to Dilshan, 1 run, low full toss, turned towards deep midwicket for a single

16.6 Rashid to Mathews, FOUR! Another googly, but pulled away this time, through midwicket for a four!

16.5 Rashid to Mathews, no run outside off, beaten again, beaten by the turn and the bounce!

16.4 Rashid to Mathews, no run, tries the same shot again, but the googly beats him this time

16.3 Rashid to Mathews, SIX! Slog sweep over midwicket for a mammoth six!

16.2 Rashid to Dilshan, 1 run, driven towards long-off for a single

16.1 Rashid to Dilshan, no run, plays the switch hit but straight to point

34 off 24 needed now!

15.6 Nabi to Dilshan, 1 run, played square of the wicket on the off side for a single

15.5 Nabi to Dilshan, FOUR! Another full toss, and another misfield at the ropes for four! Hamid Hassan misses the ball at the square leg fence this time!

15.4 Nabi to Dilshan, no run, defended back towards the bowler

15.3 Nabi to Mathews, 1 run, waist high full toss, punched down the ground for a single

15.2 Nabi to Dilshan, 1 run, pushed towards long-on for a single

Captain Mathews walks out!

15.1 Nabi to Dilshan, OUT! Kapugedera has been run out! Dilshan drives straight, the ball deflects off Nabi and hits the stumps at the other end, where Kapugedera is found short of his ground!

14.6 Hassan to Kapugedera, FOUR! Smashed over the midwicket region for another four! Very good shot by Kapugedera!

14.5 Hassan to Dilshan, 1 run, fuller ball outside off, Dilshan guides it towards point for a single

14.4 Hassan to Kapugedera, 1 run, Kapugedera dabs it towards point and runs for a single. Sami hits the stumps directly but Dilshan was comfortably in

14.3 Hassan to Dilshan to 1 run, driven towards the covers for a run

14.2 Hassan to Dilshan, SIX! Misses out on the yorker, a chin high full toss, whips it away over square leg for a six!

14.1 Hassan to Kapudegedera, 1 run, inside edge towards the keeper, but Dilshan sprints for a single

Hamid Hassan has been brought back!

13.6 Rashid to Dilshan, FOUR! Bad fielding at the midwicket boundary! It was a full toss alright, but was played straight to the man stationed there. He misses to keep it down to just one!

13.5 Rashid to Kapugedera, 1 run, googly again from Rashid, slapped towards long on