LAHORE: Half-centuries from openers H.V. Kumara and Udaya Lakmal steered Sri Lanka to an overwhelming 112-run victory over Afghanistan in their last league match of the inaugural T20 Deaf Asia Cup at the LCCA ground here on Saturday.

The match, however, was inconsequential as Pakistan and India had already qualified for the final, to be held on Sunday at the LCCA ground.

After electing to bat first, Sri Lanka registered the event’s biggest total, 204-8 in 20 overs. Lakmal and Kumara gave their team a magnificent 111-run start. Kumara scored a 41-ball 54 laced with seven boundaries while Lakmal made 50 off 34 balls, cracking five boundaries.

After the departure of the openers, T.S. Jaysinghe batted with responsibility to post a 19-ball 38 slamming four fours, helping Sri Lanka set an imposing target for their rivals.

Only left-arm spinner Omid could claimed two wickets for 27 for Afghanistan while Farman, Ajmal and Imran took a wicket apiece.

In reply, Afghanistan slumped to 92 all out in 14.4 overs. Farman and Imran (18 apiece) were the only notable scorers.

For Sri Lanka, left-arm pacer Jayasinghe claimed two wickets for 16. Manjula, Sanjeeva, Lakmal, S. Lanka and N. Sameera captured one wicket each.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2015

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