KOLKATA: Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan struck an unbeaten 83 to help Sri Lanka open its title defense by beating Afghanistan by six wickets in their World Twenty20 Group 1 game on Thursday.
Dilshan struck eight fours and three sixes off 56 balls to guide Sri Lanka to 155-4 in reply to Afghanistan's 153-7.
Earlier, Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai produced an attractive 47-ball knock of 62 with three fours and four sixes for his highest score in 33 games.
He added 61 off 5.3 overs for the fifth wicket with Samiullah Shenwari, who got 31 off just 14 deliveries.
Pace bowler Thisara Perera (3-33) and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath (2-24) were the main wicket-takers for Sri Lanka.
BRIEF SCORES
Afghanistan: 153 for 7 in 20 overs (Asghar Stanikzai 62, Samiullah Shenwari 31; Thisara Perera 3-33, Rangana Herath 2-24).
Sri Lanka: 155 for 4 in 18.5 overs (Tillakaratne Dilshan 83 not out).
Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets.