Highlights, Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match, Full Cricket Score: Sri Lanka win by 34 runs (D/L method)

Dimuth Karunaratne: We had a good start after a long time but then we lost a couple of wickets. That’s the negative part but otherwise, the bowling and fielding was good. It’s not easy to stay positive after losing the first match. We have experience of these conditions and that helped. We need to improve out batting in middle overs.

It will be a quick turnaround for the Sri Lankans who now travel to Bristol. Within seven days they would play Pakistan and Bangladesh and they should enjoy the conditions over there. This win by the way is Sri Lanka’s first win in Cardiff. They had previously lost six games in Cardiff before today. They owe it to their seamers. The batters need to show character.

Gulbadin Naib, Afghanistan captain: We did not bowl right areas at the start. We lost the momentum from there. We missed it it there. Nabi bowled well. Wicket was not easy for the batter. I asked bowlers to hit the deck hard. They stopped them before 200. Target was not that much. We have been preparing for these moments in the last 2-3 months. We need to improve and build small partnerships.

Thisara Perera: “We knew the ball would do something in these conditions if you hit the right length. I’m normally a good fielder so I am happy to take a crucial catch. We have an experienced attack, we thought we could defend the total”

Sri Lanka get out of jail eventually. A Lasith Malinga yorker has broken many a heart all these years and he has done it again. He cleans up Hamid Hassan. Sri Lanka  will feel relieved. What splendid effort by their seamers. Nuwan Pradeep was hero with career best four for 31. Then Malinga was too good for the tail as he has done time and again. Good back up by rest of the bowlers as well. Sri Lanka gain first points in the World Cup. They can move to Bristol with a sigh of relief but batsmen need to do a lot of work. Angelo Mathews need to be given a shake up for his casual approach with the bat. So is Kusal Mendis.

Nuwan Pradeep is the Man of the Match for his bowing figures of 4/31

This is also Sri Lanka’s first win against a full-member team out of last 10 ODIs.

This is the first win for Sri Lanka at Cardiff out of six ODIs.

Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 34 runs!!

OUT! Hamid b Malinga 6(5) 

Malinga cleans up Hamid Hassan with his ever-so-reliable yorker to bring an end to Afghanistan’s innings. Sri Lanka win their first match of this World Cup.

After 32 overs,Afghanistan 145/9 ( Hamid Hassan 0 , )

Zadran got two fours in the over but he’s gone now. Karunaratne’s direct hit at the non-striker end catches Zadran short of his crease. Sri Lanka one wicket away from the win.

OUT! RUN OUT! 

Najibullah run out (Karunaratne) 43(56) 

Skipper Karunaratne produces a bit of magic with his fielding to remove the dangerous Zadran. The batsman played a drive to mid-off and set off for a single but Karunaratne was quick to collect the ball and target the stumps with a direct hit to catch Zadran short of the crease

FOUR! Streaky! Zadran goes for a slog shot in front of the wicket as the thick edge off the bat runs behind for a four

FOUR! Powerful shot! Also, under pressure from Zadran. Udana gave some room with a length ball and that was smoked over covers

After 31 overs,Afghanistan 136/8 ( Najibullah Zadran 35 , Hamid Hassan 0)

Malinga may not be as great as his younger days but he surely knows how to deliver under pressure. Failed with few attempts of the yorker but finally executed it to perfection to clean up Dawlat. Just one from the over which came due to a wide as a slow yorker went down the leg. 51 in 60 needed.

WICKET! Dawlat Zadran b Malinga 6(18)

A classic Malinga yorker does the job! Malinga was looking for that perfect slow yorker but failed twice before but not this time. Squeezed that under Dawlat’s bat to break the stumps.

Nuwan Pradeep’s last two ODIs:

34/4 v Scotland, Edinburgh, 2019
31/4 v Afghanistan, Cardiff, 2019*

After 30 overs,Afghanistan 135/7 ( Najibullah Zadran 35 , Dawlat Zadran 6)

Two from the over. Lakmal got one past the outside edge of Zadran as he attempted a cut on the off. 52 in 66 needed.

After 29 overs,Afghanistan 133/7 ( Najibullah Zadran 34 , Dawlat Zadran 5)

Pradeep is on fire here. Beats the outside edge of Zadran on the first ball while his wild slash on next ball fell marginally short of the sweeper cover. Three of the over. 54 in 72 needed.

After 28 overs,Afghanistan 130/7 ( Najibullah Zadran 31 , Dawlat Zadran 5)

Excellent over from Lakmal. Just three runs conceded. Zadran needs to stay there till the end for Afghanistan to squeeze out a win. 57 in 78 ball needed.

After 27 overs,Afghanistan 127/7 ( Najibullah Zadran 29 , Dawlat Zadran 4)

Pradeep has struck again to remove Rashid Khan and Sri Lanka are bossing again. Got the ball to move back in from good length to escape Rashid’s bat to clip his pads and top of the stumps. Huge appeal for LBW against Dawlat but it was going down leg while an amateurish fielding effort at mid-on by Malinga gives away a four.

FOUR! Horrible string of errors from Sri Lanka. Malinga mistimed his slide and let the push to mid-on run past him. Mathews gave it a chase, dived to cut it off but failed

England is too excited for the World Cup it seems. No coverage in their own country?

See-saw match #AFGvSL. You can see it in Chikmagalur, in Silchar, in Bhatinda, in Satara but I can't see it in my hotel room in England!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 4, 2019

Four for Pradeep. He is on a comeback trial having returned home from the tour of Australia in January with a hamstring injury. He missed the tour of South Africa and was overlooked for the opening fixture of the World Cup against New Zealand. He has done well here. Perhaps the quickest among the current bowlers, he has struggled a bit with his length but more importantly has given his team regular breakthroughs. Four for 24 his figures – best in his career.

OUT! Rashid Khan b Pradeep 2(4)

Well done, Pradeep! Sri Lanka back on top. Pradeep has now reached his best figures in ODIs. The ball moved back in after pitching to escape the whip shot from Rashid to clip his pads and top of the stumps.

After 26 overs,Afghanistan 123/6 ( Najibullah Zadran 29 , Rashid Khan 2)

Lakmal back into attack and completes a tidy over by giving away just a single. Pressure on Afghanistan now.

After 25 overs,Afghanistan 122/6 ( Najibullah Zadran 29 , Rashid Khan 1)

Sri Lanka have probably dragged themselves back into the game. Pradeep gave away five wides as his short ball flew over the batsman but later trapped Naib in front of the wickets. Naib reviewed it but it was clipping leg. Rashid Khan has now come bat.

WICKET! Naib lbw b Pradeep 23(32)

Pradeep traps Naib to break the partnership. The ball moved back in from good length to hit his pads. Naib took the review but replays showed it was clipping leg.

After 24 overs,Afghanistan 114/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 22 , Najibullah Zadran 28)

Finally, time for some spin. Offie Dhananjaya de Silva comes into attack. Three singles followed by a reverse-sweep four by Zadran.

FOUR! Terrific shot. Zadran plays the reverse-sweep dragging de Silva’s delivery from middle behind square on off

After 23 overs,Afghanistan 107/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 20 , Najibullah Zadran 23)

Just two from the over including two wide deliveries from Pradeep. Afghanistan’s batsmen are not looking to take any unnecessary risk.

After 22 overs,Afghanistan 105/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 20 , Najibullah Zadran 23)

Udana back into attack. Afghanistan get to 100 with Naib collecting a double as a thick inside edge off his bat runs behind the wicket. Adds two more braces to take six from the over. Afghanistan need 82 more.

After 21 overs,Afghanistan 99/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 14 , Najibullah Zadran 23)

Bowling change. Lakmal called back into attack. He leaked 18 runs in his first two overs but bowls a good one now. Three off the over. Pradeep did well to cut off a wild slash at wide third-man off Zadran’s bat to restrict it to a double.

After 20 overs,Afghanistan 96/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 13 , Najibullah Zadran 21)

Three off the over. Naib and Zadran have stabilised Afghanistan’s innings and have managed to pull the momentum back in their favour. 91 more needed to win. Time for drinks.

After 19 overs,Afghanistan 93/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 11 , Najibullah Zadran 20)

Malinga back into attack and Naib punishes him with two consecutive fours. Malinga’s lack of pace is not helping him as Naib plays a straight drive and then slams the short ball to cow corner. 11 off the over.

FOUR! Second consecutive boundary. Malinga went short but there’s no pace behind it and Naib picks it easily to whack it to cow corner

FOUR! What a shot! Naib welcomes Malinga back into attack with an exquisite straight drive. No need to chase that

After 18 overs,Afghanistan 82/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 2 , Najibullah Zadran 19)

Zadran gets beaten by Thisara with the delivery angled across him. A run out appeal against Naib but he was safely in. A misfield on off allows Zadran to add a brace. You can’t leak runs like that while defending a small total. Also, couple of wides in the over adding to total six from the over.

After 17 overs,Afghanistan 76/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 1 , Najibullah Zadran 17)

Three singles and three runs added in Pradeep’s over. Afghanistan need 111 more to win. Run rate is not an issue, what they need is to protect wickets and a partnership.

After 16 overs,Afghanistan 73/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 0 , Najibullah Zadran 16)

Najibullah Zadran scored a fifty against Australia and it seems like he’s just continued from where he left off. Two fours in the over. A chip off wide short ball through covers before a powerful drive through extra-cover area. Afghanistan need 114 more to win.

FOUR! Stand and deliver. Zadran played a drive through extra-cover without even using his feet. Some power.

FOUR! Zadran went against the short and wide delivery from Thisara with soft hands, chipping it through covers

After 15 overs,Afghanistan 65/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 0 , Najibullah Zadran 8)

Five off the over. Zadran added a boundary to his tally as he slammed the wide of off delivery from Pradeep through the sweeper cover area.

FOUR! Pradeep goes wide of off as Zadran slashes that through sweeper cover for a boundary

After 14 overs,Afghanistan 60/5 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 0 , Najibullah Zadran 3)

After taking a fantastic catch, Thisara Perera now strikes with the ball. He removed Nabi with a peach of a delivery. Got the ball to move back in after pitching as Nabi was caught playing for a wrong line and lost his stumps. Najibullah Zadran walks out to bat and gets a triple with a cover drive.

Sri Lanka have heaps of pace bowling options here. Four front line seamers plus all-rounder Thisara Perera. Wonder whether they have ever had such depth in pace bowling department in an international game before. Today they included Nuwan Pradeep in place of the leg-spin of Jeewan Mendis. The seamers have done well to bowl half of Afghanistan side out so far. Only if their batsmen had shown more character. It was one of the most shocking batting efforts by a Sri Lankan side in recent times. The bowlers have made amends though. More work to be done.

OUT! BOWLED!

Nabi b Perera 11(16)

Absolute beauty from Thisara Perera. Got the ball to move back in off the surface as Nabi went playing for the wrong line and his stumps were broken. Afghanistan in deep trouble.

After 13 overs,Afghanistan 57/4 ( Mohammad Nabi 11 , Gulbadin Naib (C) 0)

Excellent over by Pradeep. Wicket-maiden and Sri Lanka are now bossing the game. Four straight dot balls to Shahidi and then a snorter. Pradeep got the ball to rise on him as the batsman edged it to keeper trying to force it away on off. Skipper Gulbadin Naib now joins Nabi in the middle. Partnership needed.

WICKET! Shahidi c Kusal Perera b Pradeep 4(17)

Excellent bowling from Pradeep to get Afghanistan four down. Went with the conventional bouncer and got it to climb up as Shahidi was looking to force it away but there was too much bounce as he edged it to the keeper.

After 12 overs,Afghanistan 57/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 4 , Mohammad Nabi 11)

A misfield at mid-wicket by Thirimanne allows Nabi to add three runs to Afghanistan’s tally. Followed by a single and a brace. A run out referral on last ball but Sahidi was safely in. 130 more needed for a win.

After 11 overs,Afghanistan 51/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 3 , Mohammad Nabi 6)

Nabi gets to release some of the pressure with a boundary. Pradeep missed his length, went full and it was dispatched over mid-on for a boundary. Five off the over.

FOUR! Not a good delivery from Pradeep. A bit overpitched as Nabi slams it over mid-on to add a much-needed boundary

After 10 overs,Afghanistan 46/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 3 , Mohammad Nabi 1)

Another tidy over from Udana. Just two singles for Afghanistan as runs flow get slower. Two new batsman are at the crease. Appropriate ime for Sri Lanka to strike again.

After 9 overs,Afghanistan 44/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 2 , Mohammad Nabi 0)

Nuwan Pradeep, right-arm fast medium, has been brought into attack in place of Malinga. And he strikes in his first over. Thisara Perera pulls off a brilliant catch at fine leg to remove Zazai. Just the inspiration Sri Lanka needed and the ex-champions are well and truly back into the match. Afghanistan need 143 more.

WICKET! AMAZING CATCH!

Hazratullah Zazai c Perera b Pradeep 30(25)

Thisara Perera takes a brilliant catch at fine leg to remove dangerous Zazai. Pradeep went short into Zazai’s body who top-edged his shot to fine leg where Perera took a forward diving catch.

Afghanistan fans are right behind them!

"We are proud of them"

Our Insider @Elmakapelma interacts with the colourful Afghanistan fans during the #AFGvSL game in Cardiff. pic.twitter.com/xVZxFyt3vB

— ICC (@ICC) June 4, 2019

After 8 overs,Afghanistan 43/2 ( Hazrat Zazai 30 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 1).

Udana gets the second wicket. Removes Rahmat Shah as Afghanistan lose two wickets after a good start. Angled the ball across the right-handed batsman who edged it to the slip fielder. Hashmatullah Shahidi now joins Zazai in the middle.

WICKET! Rahmat c Mathews b Udana 2(11)

Left-armer Udana does the job for Sri Lanka this time. It was the angle that worked for the pacer. It was put across Rahmat Shah, cramping him for room as he edged it to the slip fielder.

After 7 overs,Afghanistan 41/1 ( Hazrat Zazai 29 , Rahmat Shah 2)

Malinga continues. Wide delivery first up as the pacer sprays it wide of off. Three singles added as well. Malinga has already bowled four overs. How long will Karunaratne continue with him?

After 6 overs,Afghanistan 37/1 ( Hazrat Zazai 27 , Rahmat Shah 1)

Isuru Udana, left-arm fast medium, replaces Lakmal. Starts off with a good over, giving away just three singles. Afghanistan need 150 more to win.

After 5 overs,Afghanistan 34/1 ( Hazrat Zazai 25 , Rahmat Shah 0)

The first ball from Malinga was whacked to cow corner for a four by Zazai but he top-edged the short ball on next delivery which was put down by Kusal Mendis at deep backward square leg. But Malinga finally broke the partnership. Shahzad failed to read the slower ball as he chipped the ball, that was drifting inside, to short mid-wicket. Rahmat Shah now joins Zazai. Five off the over.

OUT! MALINGA STRIKES!

Mohammad Shahzad c Karunaratne b Malinga 7(12) 

Malinga breaks the opening partnership. Soft dismissal for Afghanistan. Shahzad failed to read the slower delivery as he chipped it to Karunaratne at short mid-wicket.

DROPPED! Kusal Mendis puts down Zazai. The top-edge went over to deep backward square leg but Mendis put it down. Malinga is furious.

FOUR! Zazai starts Malinga’s over with a boundary. It was pitched in the slot as Zazai whacked that to mid-wicket

The Sri Lankans have some serious problems with their batting moving forward in the tournament. If they want to leave out one of the batters – Kusal Mendis or Dhananjaya de Silva, they don’t have a front line middle order batsman in the squad. Aviskha Fernando is the only remaining specialist batsman and he is an opener. The rest of the squad comprises spinning all-rounders. They have got serious problems moving forward and that’s why the squad selection came in for heavy criticism by someone like Aravinda de Silva. As far as this game, it looks done and dusted with Afghanistan off to a safe start.

After 4 overs,Afghanistan 29/0 ( Mohammad Shahzad (W) 7 , Hazrat Zazai 20)

Afghan openers are looking to make the most of the first powerplay. Plan seems to be to punish every bad ball with Zazai especially looking in bad mood. He showed his brute strength with a whip off Lakmal’s full ball for a four past mid-on. Couple of wides in the over as well. Seven off it.

Afghanistan have come out to play with a strategy in place

I asked Gulbadin if a shortened game would play into his hands, he said, "So if we can reduce the overs it will be much better for us. We have potential now so like limited overs, so like everyone knows about Afghanistan batting lineup, so it will be good."

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) June 4, 2019

FOUR! What power! Lakmal pitched that slightly on the fuller length which was muscled past mid-on by Zazai to the fence

After 3 overs,Afghanistan 22/0 ( Mohammad Shahzad (W) 7 , Hazrat Zazai 15)

Five runs off the over. Zazai slammed the full and wide delivery of Malinga through the covers for a four and got a single as he tucked one to square leg.

FOUR! Malinga went full and outside off as Zazai creamed that through the covers to beat the fielder with some great timing

After 2 overs,Afghanistan 17/0 ( Mohammad Shahzad (W) 7 , Hazrat Zazai 10)

Lakmat starts off with a jaffa beating the inside edge of Zazai as the ball travelled past the bat to Kusal Perera.The next ball, however, was short and it was slammed over cow corner for a six. Another pull shot to mid-wicket for a single. Shahzad also adds a four with a cut past backward point. 11 off the over.

FOUR! Shahzad hops along to cut the short ball from Lakmal along the square on the offside for a boundary

SIX! Zazai rocks back to smash away the short ball from Lakmal over the cow corner for the first maximum of Afghanistan’s innings

After 1 overs,Afghanistan 6/0 ( Mohammad Shahzad (W) 3 , Hazrat Zazai 3)

Malinga has been on the money from the first ball, getting the ball to swing away from the batsman. Got Shahzad to edge one but it fell just a bit short of Kusal Mendis, at second slip, as the keeper-batsman got off the mark with a single. Zazai got a double at square leg as he managed to get his bat down in time against a yorker. A similar shot on next ball for a single while Shahzad added another brace with the leading edge running through covers. Six off the first over.

Time for the chase!

Afghanistan need 187 in 41 overs and Mohammad Shahzad, Hazratullah Zazai will open their innings. Lasith Malinga to bowl the first over for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka today:

First 21 overs: 144/1

Next 15.5 overs: 57/9

OUT! That’s the end of Sri Lanka’s innings. They end up with 201 on the board. 
 Googly from Rashid and it was too good for Pradeep, who could not read the ball and the ball came in sharply after pitching. It hit the outside edge of his bat before hitting the stumps. He goes back for 0. Pradeep b Rashid Khan 0(4) 

The revised target as per DLS for Afghanistan is 187.

After 36 overs,Sri Lanka 199/9 ( Suranga Lakmal 14 , Nuwan Pradeep 0)

Two boundaries off the blade of Lakmal, a run-out chance and a big cry from keeper Shahzad, who was unhappy with Zadran bowling short stuff. And the celebrations as Zadran came back with a stunning slower yorker to remove the man who has mastered the art over the years – Malinga.

OUT! Excellent slow yorker from Zadran, Malinga had no clue about it. Got the taste of his own medicine, to be honest and Zadran could not help but celebrate the wicket a little more animatedely than he would have thought. Sri Lanka nine down now. Malinga b Dawlat Zadran 4(14)

FOUR! Another mis-directed short ball from Zadran and Lakmal pulls it away again to deep mid-wicket. Turning out to be Sri Lanka’s phase of the game.

FOUR! Ugly heave again, this time from Lakmal and yet again effective, the ball zooms past through deep midw-wicket for four

After 35 overs,Sri Lanka 190/8 ( Suranga Lakmal 5 , Lasith Malinga 4)

Rashid Khan from the other end. This is a unique sight really. Malinga facing him and defending on front foot. Just 1 run from the over.

After 34 overs,Sri Lanka 189/8 ( Suranga Lakmal 4 , Lasith Malinga 4)

Zadran resumes things in the middle. Lakmal faces the first ball, daps it to off side and collects a single. The whole scenario changes now for both teams with the game being curtailed to 41 overs each innings. A lot of rethinking would happen in both the dressing room. Malinga hits a boundary in the over, not the best cricket shot but it did give him and Sri Lanka four more runs.

FOUR! A little short and Malinga goes big over the mid-off fielder. An ugly heave really from him but effective to fetch four runs

The players are coming out on the field. Afghanistan will face 8 more overs in this innings. Remember 41-overs a side contest this now.

Big News: Play to resume at 4 pm (UK time), which makes it 8.30 pm (Indian Standard Time). So in about 25 minutes from now. 41 overs a side contest.

The covers are off in Cardiff – we're going to have some cricket!

41 overs per side with a 10-minute innings break. Play will resume at 4pm. #AfghanAtalan #LionsRoar #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/CE38vRNyef

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 4, 2019

Cheer up, people! Inspection to happen soon, as per Test Match Special

The skies have lifted in Cardiff and the groundstaff have begun the clearing up operation. There will be an inspection in 10 minutes but the prospects for play look more promising. 🤞 #bbccricket #cwc19 pic.twitter.com/2xnfwuzmnB

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) June 4, 2019

The drainage system in Cardiff is excellent and one of the best in the world. The 2011 Test between Sri Lanka and  England was heading for a dull draw with heavy rain on the last two days. No play was possible well into the afternoon session on day five due to a heavy downpour. But once rain stopped, the ground staff dried it up in no time and play got underway. Sri Lanka collapsed in dramatic style. Bowled out for 82 in less than two hours as England won by an innings. That collapse was bad, but nothing compared to what we saw today.

England were poor in the field yesterday. This effort from Woakes was an exception

And the winner of yesterday's @Nissan Play of the Day is...Chris Woakes' stunning catch to dismiss Imam-ul-Haq! pic.twitter.com/TjyZk1C6wq

— ICC (@ICC) June 4, 2019

Rain ceases to go but the fans are unperturbed!

It's still raining in Cardiff... 😔

But the fans have brought a bit of colour to the day 😊 #AfghanAtalan #LionsRoar #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/VG8IPPtv0T

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 4, 2019

Team India took over the paintball challenge as a team building exercise. Catch that and everything else buzzing on social media in our wrap here .

Kane Williamson is a cricketarist!

Morning jamming session with Kane Williamson: ✅@cricketworldcup - we’ve got a new Cricketarist for you!

He’s almost as good at guitar as he is as batting (but not quite) 🏏 🎸

Full film coming soon 🎥 pic.twitter.com/d2sqMVOPlH

— Gray-Nicolls (@graynics) June 4, 2019

Ben Stokes’ birthday today. ICC is right, there is no other way to wish him than get immersed in this catch which kick-started the World Cup!

Happy birthday, @benstokes38!

Don't think we'll ever get tired of watching this... pic.twitter.com/KUUOkU2beL

— ICC (@ICC) June 4, 2019

Beuran Hendricks has been named replacement for injured Dale Steyn. Read the full report here .

Meanwhile, tennis fans can also follow French Open action on our Roland Garros live blog here .

The rain has not stopped at Cardiff, much to many of the cricket lovers’ angst. In a few minutes, the overs will begin to be curtailed. Let’s see how much more time till the rain subsides!

Despite collapse and rain delay, Sri Lankan fans are keeping themselves upbeat! 

The rain might be pouring – and their side might not be having the greatest time with the bat – but Sri Lanka's fans are still loving life!#LionsRoar #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/n7mVcMQtNf

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 4, 2019

That Rabada bouncer well evaded by Kohli, at least in press conference!

#CCWorldCup2019 #cwc19  #INDvSA

I’ve played many times against @KagisoRabada25 and I think if we have to talk we’ll do it man to man. I haven’t heard what he’s said: @imVkohli

— Jamie Alter 🇮🇳 (@alter_jamie) June 4, 2019

Started doing the math already?

If no further batting is possible for Sri Lanka (182/8 in 33 overs)
Afghanistan's targets will be
171 in 33 overs
163 in 30 overs
146 in 25 overs
126 in 20 overs#CWC19#CWC2019#SLvAfg#AfgvSL https://t.co/G2YpPv0q7f

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 4, 2019

Huge honour to lead India in World Cup: Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli in PC on leading #TeamIndia in #CWC19: Huge honour. Back in 2015, last World Cup, I didn’t even imagine this day because World Cups are so far off, you cannot (think or plan). It will be a huge challenge. #IndvSA #SAvInd

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) June 4, 2019

India play South Africa tomorrow at Southampton. Hope the rain stays away. 

Getting cloudy in Southampton. Covers on the ground!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 4, 2019

Kohli is feeling bad for Steyn

#CCWorldCup2019 #cwc19  #INDvSA

I feel bad for @DaleSteyn62 ... he’s a good friend. Its sad. He must be gutted. He looked good from what I saw. I’m feeling bad for him: @imVkohli

— Jamie Alter 🇮🇳 (@alter_jamie) June 4, 2019

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli’s press conference is underway in Southampton ahead of South Africa’s match.

#TeamIndia Captain @imVkohli addresses the media on the eve of our first game against South Africa at Southampton #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/yupDksTeJ6

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 4, 2019

The rain might take some time to go away. Remember this is England and Wales. Don’t be surprised by sunshine soon. Till that happens, why don’t you engage with our quiz on World Cup. Here you go. Click here to get started .

The break should give Sri Lanka some time to think and rethink their strategy. Also, some time to calm down the nerves. They are not yet out of this contest and quickly, they need to regroup and come back stronger in the match.

Heart-breaking news from South African camp which you may have begun to deal with by now! 

My heart goes out to @DaleSteyn62 though. Genuine great, would have been hoping to put everything into one last World Cup but someone else writes our scripts.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 4, 2019

Rain stops play!  

Ughhhhh! Not good news. Rain is here. To halt things. To give some warm-up excercise to the ground staff and to ruin the mood for a good day of cricket. We will keep you updated with the news on the rain.

After 33 overs,Sri Lanka 182/8 ( Suranga Lakmal 2 , Lasith Malinga 0)

There is not enough steam left in Sri Lanka’s batting engine now after the fall of Kusal Perera in the last over. Good knock from him. But Rashid had the last laugh in the end. There was a run-out chance as well but a bad throw from deep fine leg meant Malinga, the new batsman, completed the second run.

OUT! Wow, Sri Lanka, Perera, under these circumstances, tries a reverse-sweep, fails at it, ball takes the edge off the bat and goes into Shahzad’s gloves. Another wicket gone. The 8th wicket. Sri Lanka’s best batsman today back in the hut as well. Rashid gets the wicket. Kusal Perera c Mohammad Shahzad b Rashid Khan 78(81)

After 32 overs,Sri Lanka 179/7 ( Kusal Perera (W) 78 , Suranga Lakmal 1)

Two achievements for Afghanistan in the last over. Dawlat Zadran returned and got a wicket, removing Udana. Next ball, keeper Shahzad became airborne and collected a massive bouncer by Zadran. The bowler clapped and gave him a thumbs up sign to lift his spirits. Shahzad has struggled behind the stumps against these bouncers. Long over really as Lakmal was hit on his thumb off Zadran and he got a medical attention. Seems to be fine.

OUT! Sri Lanka lose their seventh. Phew! This is tragic for them. This was nothing delivery but this was also a nothing shot from Udana as well. An ugly heave attempted, missed the ball, the ball hit the middle stumps. Udana b Dawlat Zadran 10(21)

After 31 overs,Sri Lanka 177/6 ( Kusal Perera (W) 77 , Isuru Udana 10)

Rashid Khan continues. Completes a quick over. A maiden over this one. Brilliant stuff from one of Afghanistan’s senior-most bowlers. Sri Lanka have no choice but to respect the good deliveries because of the situation they are in.

After 30 overs,Sri Lanka 177/6 ( Kusal Perera (W) 77 , Isuru Udana 10)

Nabi will bowl hismelf out it seems. Completed his ninth over. Udana and Kusal’s one achievement has been that they stopped the fall of wickets. 18-run stand between them so far. Need to continue the good work.

After 30 overs,Sri Lanka 177/6 ( Kusal Perera (W) 77 , Isuru Udana 10)

Nabi will bowl hismelf out it seems. Completed his ninth over. Udana and Kusal’s one achievement has been that they stopped the fall of wickets. 18-run stand between them so far. Need to continue the good work.

After 29 overs,Sri Lanka 175/6 ( Kusal Perera (W) 76 , Isuru Udana 9)

Rashid comes into the attack now. Hassan is off. Afghanistan in the second half of the innings have looked a completely different team than the first half. More zip in the ball, good in the field, tactful. Need to carry on this. Sri Lanka, completely the opposite.

Fewest runs scored by No 4 — No 7 batsmen in a WC match:

2 – Netherlands v India, Paarl, 2003

4 – Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Cardiff, 2019*

5 – Sri Lanka v New Zealand, Cardiff, 2019

After 28 overs,Sri Lanka 173/6 ( Kusal Perera (W) 75 , Isuru Udana 8)

Nabi continues and wait a minute, new batter Udana comes out and smashes him for a six. We did not see that coming. Sangakkara says in Comm box that this is how he plays but needs to be intelligent in this approach as well.

Comical mix-ups, dramatic collapses, sloppy fielding, infighting, frequent change of captains were all part and parcel of Pakistan cricket not too long ago. Sri Lanka are the new Pakistan. Total chaos in Cardiff.

SIX! We almost forgot that runs are to be scored in this match. Scrambled seam from Nabi, Udana dances down the wicket and hits him over long-off for a six.

After 27 overs,Sri Lanka 166/6 ( Kusal Perera (W) 75 , Isuru Udana 1)

Hassan bowls his seventh over and this should be his last over in this spell. Bowling superbly though and should get another go. Naib should go got for the kill here and get them bowled out for 200. Have the momentum and then chase it down.

After 26 overs,Sri Lanka 159/6 ( Kusal Perera (W) 74 , Isuru Udana 0)

What Sri Lanka are doing in the middle is a suicide on a cricket pitch. There is no explanation for this. Tricked by good deliveries and lost wickets earlier. Now, bad calls and running between the wickets leading to sixth loss. This is absolutely insane. They were 144/1 and now 159/6.

OUT! This was on the cards, Kusal and Thisara were calling badly for singles. This time Thisara hit it to short cover and wanted to run, came half way to the pitch before asked by Kusal to retun, throw came at rocket speed from Shahidi and keeper Shahzad took the bails off quickly as Thisara fell short by inches. T Perera run out (Shahidi/Mohammad Shahzad) 2(4)

After 25 overs,Sri Lanka 155/5 ( Kusal Perera (W) 72 , Thisara Perera 2)

Bizarre cricket in the middle by Sri Lankans. Either edging the ball behind or running blind singles. Both Perera’s  (Kusal and Thisara) finding some issues while calling. Hassan done with his sixth. Just 3 off the over.

After 24 overs,Sri Lanka 152/5 ( Kusal Perera (W) 70 , Thisara Perera 1)

Nabi continues. What baffles your mind is how in the world of mystery spinners, Nabi has etched his name among the best bowlers in limited overs cricket. Just basic things. Simple things and he benefits from them. The clarity of thought in his bowling is what makes him shine.

Only three spinners have taken a five-for against Sri Lanka in an ICC ODI World Cup match – Vic Marks (1983), Abdul Qadir (1983) and Collins Obuya (2003). Can Nabi join the list today?

After 23 overs,Sri Lanka 149/5 ( Kusal Perera (W) 68 , Thisara Perera 0)

Hassan continues and he too picks up a wicket. The game has changed on its head in the last two overs, thanks to Nabi first and then Hamid Hassan. Great comeback by Afghans. Sri Lanka five down now.

OUT! AFGHANISTAN HAVE JUST ARRIVED, LADIES AND GENTS! Lovely delivery from Hassan, came in to Dhananjaya de Silva after pitching. The right-handed batsman had no answer to the ball, edged it to the keeper behind the stumps. What is happening, Sri Lanka? Dhananjaya de Silva c Mohammad Shahzad b Hamid 0(4)

Most ducks for Sri Lanka in ICC ODI WCs:

3 – Mahela Jayawardene
3 – Arjuna Ranatunga
3 – Angelo Mathews*

Seamers  were expect to have a impact in this game with overcast conditions. But Nabi has turned this game on its head in just one over having run through Sri Lanka’s middle order; three wickets in an over. Mathews in his third World Cup campaign and Sri Lanka’s most experienced player yet to open his account in this competition having been dismissed without scoring in both games.

After 22 overs,Sri Lanka 146/4 ( Kusal Perera (W) 65 , Dhananjaya de Silva 0)

Nabi comes back into the attack and gets a wicket. Castled Thirimanne’s stumps. Two balls later, produced an edge off Thirimanne’s bat. OUT. Two balls more and one more wicket. Nabi has done the magic for Afghanistan. On his own, he has lifted the spirits of the players and fans alike in the stadium. Sri Lanka has been hit by a brain fade.

OUT! Nabi takes another one. This is the third wicket in the over. CRAZY scenes in Cardiff. This time he goes a little straight arm, just simple off spin, Mathews wanted to cut it, ended up edging it to first slip, the ball travelled to Rahmat there deflected off the keeper’s pads but he held on to the catch. WHAT A COMEBACK FROM AFGHANISTAN. 
Mathews c Rahmat b Nabi 0(2)

OUT! Superb from Nabi, what a gem he is for Afghanistan. Round-arm action this time from him, ball held its line after pitching, produced the edge off new batter Mendis’ bat, and went straight to Rahmat Shah at first slip. The last ball had gone wide off Shah and this time he was ready for the catch. Afghanistan continue to come back and it is Nabi who is leading the comeback. Kusal Mendis c Rahmat b Nabi 2(2)

OUT! That’s the end of Thirimanne and guess what, it is Nabi with the wicket, came from over the wicket, simple off spinner which seems to have come to Thirimanne rather quickly. The ball found a big gap between bat and pad, disturbed the timber. Thirimanne b Nabi 25(34)

After 21 overs,Sri Lanka 144/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 65 , Lahiru Thirimanne 25)

Absolute jaffa from Hassan to Perera on the fourth ball and then non-verbal communication between the batsmen and bowler followed up. That angled in delivery off the good length almost beat keeper Shahzad as well. Balls passing the edges. Hassan is back.

After 20 overs,Sri Lanka 139/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 63 , Lahiru Thirimanne 22)

Rashid completes a quick over. There was a LBW appeal for Thirimanne but turned down by the umpire. There was an inside-edge on to the pads. Another 3-run over from Rashid. Wicket hard to come by.

After 19 overs,Sri Lanka 136/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 63 , Lahiru Thirimanne 19)

Hamid Hassan back into the attack, replaced Naib. He is concentrating on back onf the length deliveries now. The third man was kept busy throughout the over as both lefties kept on dabbing singles in that region.

Least innings to score 3,000 ODI runs among Sri Lanka players:

92 – Upul Tharanga

94 – Marvan Atapattu

100 – Lahiru Thirimanne*

102 – Mahela Jayawardene

106 – Dinesh Chandimal

After 18 overs,Sri Lanka 131/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 61 , Lahiru Thirimanne 16)

Rashid continues. Just 3 off the over. The better bowlers in Afghanistan’s ranks are doing well. Like Nabi, Rashid too bowling tight line. They are not getting support from the other end. Thirimanne has settled in well here as well.

After 17 overs,Sri Lanka 128/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 60 , Lahiru Thirimanne 14)

Well, well, well. Captain Naib is not doing any good to his own confidence by bowling front-foot no-balls. Free hit called and he followed it with two big wides on the off side. Was hit for four runs by Perera who reached his fifty. Naib did not stop there and returned with another front-foot no-ball. Another free hit and Perera hit him for another four. That’s a good example of bad limited -overs cricket bowling by Afghan captain.

FOUR! Another free hit for Perera, wide outside the off stump line, Perera stretched his arms and smashes it away between extra cover and long-off

FOUR! Pelted away for four by Perera. Was a free hit again and he stood and smashed the ball for four to extra cover boundary for four runs to bring up his fifty in style.

Congratulations, Thirimanne!

3000 ODI runs for Lahiru Thirimanne! @thiri66 Congratulations! #LionsRoar pic.twitter.com/K0W15pYIID

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 4, 2019

After 16 overs,Sri Lanka 109/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 48 , Lahiru Thirimanne 11)

Rashid Khan, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack now. Let’s see how he fares on this track, where they might not be too much help for his style of bowling. Sri Lanka on top right now and they depend on their best bowler to deliver today. Five from his first over. Time for Drinks as well.

Good start for Sri Lanka but playing Rashid Khan is the challenge now. They have had troubles against him in recent times after not picking up his googly. Playing as straight as possible is the key as Rashid will be looking to bowl a few on the pads. Be patient. Wait for the loose balls. Don’t ruin this chance.

After 15 overs,Sri Lanka 104/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 47 , Lahiru Thirimanne 7)

Lahiru Thirimanne joins Perera in the middle. Another left-handed batsman so Afghanistan can continue to stick to the same plan. Naib continues and he has given a good start to yet another Sri Lankan batsman. Front-foot no-ball and a free hit to Thirimanne. Bad bowling really. Hundred up for Sri Lanka. They are aiming at a big target today. Not to forget, 3000 ODI runs for Thirimanne.

FOUR! This is gift to Thirimanne, was a free hit actually, short and slower in pace from Naib, batsman waited, waited and waited, then smashed it past the bowler for a boundary.

This is Lahiru Thirimanne’s third ODI since 2018. He averages 42.11 batting at No.3 in ODIs.

Disappointing shot from the captain to get out. His role in this team is very clear. Do what Marvan Atapattu did for all those years – hold one end up. He will be kicking himself. He had not played an ODI for more than four years when he was picked in the World Cup squad. In the two ODIs since his return, he had posted half-centuries. Missed out on a third.

After 14 overs,Sri Lanka 95/1 ( Kusal Perera (W) 45 , Lahiru Thirimanne 1)

Nabi provides the first breakthrough for Afghanistan. The experienced campaigner has been their best bowler so far. Bowled tight lines to cultivate that fault shot from Karunaratne. Sri Lanka’s captain back in the hut. Afghanistan should aim for a quick second here. They are still far behind in the race today.

OUT! Soft dimissal for Karunaratne. Nabi bowled another wicket-to-wicket line, Karunaratne danced down the track and it appeared the ball skidded on to the bat, as he could not get the elevation, hitting the ball straight to the fielder at mid-on. Karunaratne c Najibullah b Nabi 30(45)

After 13 overs,Sri Lanka 92/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 30 , Kusal Perera (W) 43)

Naib and Nabi bowling in tandem. Naib continues. He went back to get some treatment on his elbow. Back to bowl, changes line, comes round the wicket after ball 1. Goes back to over the stumps to bowl the last ball. The captain and bowler thinking in sync at the moment.

After 12 overs,Sri Lanka 86/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 26 , Kusal Perera (W) 41)

Nabi continues. As expected, he is containing the batsmen well. Just 3 off the over but that is not all Afghanistan want right now. They need wickets, maybe two in succession to pull the match back.

This is the only second ODI in his career where Mujeeb Ur Rahman did not open the bowling for Afghanistan. The other instance was recorded against Ireland at Belfast this year.

After 11 overs,Sri Lanka 83/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 25 , Kusal Perera (W) 39)

Captain Gulbadin Naib, right-arm medium, brings himself into the attack. He is creating some move off the pitch with dibbly-dobbly pace of his. Almost got a return catch to dismiss Perera on the fourth ball of the over. Just four from his first over.

After 10 overs,Sri Lanka 79/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 23 , Kusal Perera (W) 37)

Mujeeb continues. That’s what happens, when the runs start coming off the bat, you start calling well, running those quick singles and doubles. Perera ran as soon as he saw a misfield inside the circle on the off side and started off quickly from his crease, Karunaratne accepting the call. End of the first powerplay. Sri Lanka placed at 79/0. Superb start.

After 9 overs,Sri Lanka 76/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 21 , Kusal Perera (W) 36)

Nabi continues. Sri Lanka have got a great start here. There is a plan in place clearly. Karunaratne looking to collect singles and play risk-free shots and Perera going berserk with the bat. Bowlers have to adapt to different strategies to both the batsmen. Five off this over.

After 8 overs,Sri Lanka 71/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 17 , Kusal Perera (W) 35)

Mujeeb continues. Perera is making most of this bad bowling effort from Afghanistan. He is already 35 off 24 balls. Mujeeb has looked off colour in the tournament so far with the ball in hand. He should look to contain the batsmen here more than try and experiment with his mystery deliveries.

Terrific start as Sri Lanka move to 91 without loss after eight overs. The move to open with KJP has worked as he has made most of the field restrictions.

FOUR! Mujeeb pitches it short, bad ball, there was no protection for him deep square of the wicket, and Perera cut it away beautifully to fetch four more.

FOUR! Oh, the sweet sound off the bat, flight from Mujeeb, Perera dances down the track and hits it to the deep mid-wicket boundary for four runs

After 7 overs,Sri Lanka 62/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 17 , Kusal Perera (W) 27)

Mohammad Nabi, right-arm off break, from the other end. Spin from both the ends now. Afghanistan going back to their strength here. Nabi is a good move. He is known all over the world for bringing the batting team’s run-rate down with dots after dots. 3 runs off this over means he has started his job well.

After 6 overs,Sri Lanka 59/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 16 , Kusal Perera (W) 26)

Right then, pressure on Afghanistan straightaway and Naib hands over the ball to spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Catching chance on the first ball. Perera heaved it to deep square leg but the ball bounced just in front of Rashid placed there. It was turning out to be a good over for Afghans before Mujeeb was hit for boundary on the last ball.

FOUR! Mujeeb into the attack, bowled a good over before bowling a half-volley to Karunaratne and he takes full advanatage of it. Four runs as Karunatane played a lovely leg glance.

After 5 overs,Sri Lanka 52/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 11 , Kusal Perera (W) 24)

Overcast conditions, green pitch. Afghanistan opt to bowl. Five overs done here and Sri Lanka sitting on a great start. Fifty up for them. No wickets loss. 17 extras bowled by Afghans. Terrible start for Naib and Co.

FOUR! Zadran gives yet another ball in the arc of Perera and he heaved the ball, did not time it well, but the ball had enough legs to touch the deep mid-wicket boundary ropes.

After 4 overs,Sri Lanka 37/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 11 , Kusal Perera (W) 19)

Captain Naib would not be happy with this start at all. Zadran improved his line and length, but Hassan continues to bowl over-pitched deliveries, getting smashed on both sides of the wicket. Sri Lanka off to a blistering start.

FOUR! This is beautiful cricket from Sri Lanka, on the middle-leg stump line from round the wicket and Perera caressed it through mid-wicket.

FOUR! Smashed. Hassan gives a half-volley and Perera gives a full swing of the bat to dispatch it to deep cover boundary

After 3 overs,Sri Lanka 21/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 6 , Kusal Perera (W) 13)

Zadran continues. Karunaratne is watchful despite the ball coming sweetly on to the bat. This is a still good pitch for the bowlers. Just 1 off the over. Good return by Zadran, kept the batsmen guessing. Bowled a bouncer to end the over.

After 2 overs,Sri Lanka 20/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 6 , Kusal Perera (W) 12)

Hamid Hassan, right-arm fast, bowls from the other end. Bad start for Afghans. Both the bowlers erring in line and length. Two boundaries for Perera in the last over. These boundaries will give confidence to both the openers. 15 off the over.

FOUR! Another scintillating stroke off Perera’s bat, overpitched by Hassan and the lefty smashed it past the bowler through mid-off for a boundary.

Kusal Perera’s batting average in ODIs:

1st innings : 23.30

2nd innings : 36.02

FOUR! Short ball and this is a gift to Perera, who stand in the crease and pulls the ball away for a boundary. He starts off brilliantly in Cardiff.

After 1 overs,Sri Lanka 5/0 ( Dimuth Karunaratne (C) 4 , Kusal Perera (W) 0)

Dawlat Zadran opens the bowling for Afghanistan and straightaway gets the ball to shape in to the left-handed Karunaratne, the next ball goes away. He comes in slowly to bowl Zadran and then the quick action to bowl the delivery. So, if he gets more fuller in length, can be very threatening here. For now, he is bowling shorter lengths and on the leg stump line. Five runs off the over.

FOUR! On the leg stump line and Karunaratne just tickles it to the fine leg boundary for four. Two fielders approaching the ball, none made it possible to stop it.

Dimuth Karunaratne is playing his third ODI since 2016. His scores since his return in ODIs – 77, 52*.

The teams are done with the national anthems and now on to cricket. Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne come out to open the innings. They would be nervous as this is a green track and overcast conditions will make it tougher. Dawlat Zadran, right arm pace, opens the bowling. Here, we go.

Sri Lanka have a 2-1 record against Afghanistan in ODIs.

Sri Lanka have lost all five ODIs that they have played at Cardiff.

Rashid Khan is playing his 100th international match today for Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka have won only two out of their last 16 completed ODIs.

Good choice to get Nuwan Pradeep back in. The trio of Malinga, Lakmal and Pradeep have worked well in the past. Lakmal and Malinga will share the new ball and Pradeep will come in as first change. So, Sri Lanka have five seam bowling options here. There’s Isuru Udana and Thisara Perera as well. Good to have so much depth given the conditions. But runs on the board is the important thing. SL need to get at least 240.

Sri Lanka XI: Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Kusal Perera(w), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga

Afghanistan XI: Mohammad Shahzad(w), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib(c), Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Hamid Hassan

Toss News: Gulbadin naib wins toss and Afghanistan will bowl first

Huge pressure game this for Sri Lanka and if they lose, making it to the semis will be extremely hard. Predictions is for regular interruptions in Cardiff due to rain as it is the case here in June. A rain shortened game will be to Afghanistan’s liking.

The Afghan boys gave the Sri Lankans a massive scare four years ago when these teams met in Dunedin. Chasing 233, Sri Lanka were in a spot of bother at 178 for six and they won thanks to Thisara Perera’s big hitting. 

That was pre Rashid Khan era when Afghanistan were still finding their feet in the big league. A similar scoreline today with Rashid having few overs could mean game over for Sri Lanka. 

Meanwhile, a man in the suburbs of Colombo has climbed up a tree and started a fast unto death unless someone in authority explains to him the reason for the team’s slump. He wants the Sports Minister to intervene and the team Manager of the cricket team from England to give him an assurance that Sri Lanka will put up a good fight. He also has demanded that Thisara Perera opens batting against Afghanistan.

World Cup 2019 Points Table!

After a few one-sided affairs, we saw some solid cricket from Bangladesh and Pakistan as they opened their account with wins against South Africa and England respectively. Check out the points table here .

Here are the two squads

Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib(c), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ali Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne  (c), Suranga Lakmal, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva.

Dimuth Karunaratne urged his Sri Lanka flops to stay positive

“I think we have another eight games to go. We need to (keep our) chin up and play very well. We need to see what we have. On the back end we need to get some partnerships, (and in) the middle part. Those are the key areas. We’re looking forward to doing it.”

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib

“If you look at the last five or six years, we improved very well and not only in cricket, all over in Afghanistan. The team has changed now, so it’s not like in 2015 where we are — everything is changed.”

World Cup Memories

Pravin Amre reminisces the 1992 World Cup, one that saw the introduction of coloured clothing, floodlights and the white ball among other things in the tournament. Click here to read .

Exciting contest in store

🇦🇫 "We come in to win games"

🇱🇰 "We have to be flexible in our approach"

It's #AfghanAtalan v #LionsRoar in #CWC19 today! pic.twitter.com/sC1SlQQLCA

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 4, 2019

Some valuable lessons in a loss to defending champion Australia, and a win over Pakistan in a warmup game last week in Bristol, have Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib feeling more confident about their chances.

Read the preview here .

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the Match 7 of the ICC Cricket World Cup between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. 

While Afghanistan lost their first match against Australia, Sri Lanka suffered defeat against New Zealand. Both teams will be looking for their win in the tournament and gain some much-needed momentum. Sri Lanka can be considered as favourites but their recent form has been patchy. Afghanistan defeated Pakistan in a warm-up game prior to the main event so they take inspiration from that win. 

Stay tuned for all the live updates from the match.