Pradeep, Malinga carry SL to first WC win

In the rain-hit game on Wednesday, Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 34 runs (DL Method) at the Sophia Garden, Cardiff. Nuwan Pradeep and Lasith Malinga bagged four and three wickets respectively to carry the island nation to their first win in this World Cup, reports UNB.

Before coming to this game, Sri Lanka were beaten by New Zealand by 10 wickets. Afghanistan, on the other hand, also suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Australia in their first game.

Sri Lanka batted first in the match and posted 201 runs in 36.5 overs. Rain washed away two hours and 51 minutes of this battle, and it was reduced to a 41-over-a-side contest.

As per the DL Method, 187 was set as the target for Afghanistan who tumbled for 152 all-out in 32.4 overs and lost the game by 34 runs (DL Method).

Afghanistan added 34 runs in the first wicket stand but failed to capitalise this start as they lost five wickets in next 23 runs (57 for five).

However, in the sixth-wicket stand, Gulbadin Naib and Najibullah Zadran added 64 runs, but that was not enough for them to avoid the second successive loss in the World Cup.

Pradeep bagged four wickets for 31 runs and Malinga took three for 39 to seal the game. Pradeep was adjudged the man of the match.

Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bowl first. Sri Lanka made a flying start as their openers posted 92 runs in the opening stand.