ICC World T20 | Twitter reacts as Sri Lanka trudge past Afghanistan by six wickets

Sri Lanka were tidy and disciplined throughout the Super 12 fixture against Afghanistan at the Gabba on Tuesday which proved to be more than enough to trump over their continental rivals. Set to chase a paltry 145, the Lions batters dug in deep initially before breaking the shackles in the second half of their innings to get home with six wickets and nine balls to spare.

Afghanistan started out well and at one stage looked set for a score of around 170 at one stage, having eight wickets in hand with as many overs to go and the score reading 90. However, Wanindu Hasaranga put in the screws and with some brilliant spin bowling came away with figures of 4-0-13-3, ensuring a mini-Afghan collapse that kept them from fulfilling their potential.

In response, the Lions stuck to their plan despite being put under pressure early on with the wicket of Pathum Nissanka in the second over. The top order slowly chipped away at the score and then once the foundation was set, Dhananjaya de Silva took the freedom to put the final nail in Afghanistan's coffin, ending unbeaten on 66 off 42 deliveries.

Sri Lanka now need to win their final game against England and hope for either of the nations from Down Under to falter to keep their hopes alive of progressing to the semis. 

Thats fairplay

Dead ball

Well played

Defeated

Exceptional

Champions

Great knock

Hope get to semis

Victory

Recovered something