Sangakkara, Mathews push SL to 253

An intelligent finish from Angelo Mathews ensured Sri Lanka achieved a competitive 253 for 6, despite Afghanistan's earnest efforts with the ball. On a slow Mirpur surface, Afghanistan had Sri Lanka at 158 for 5, then 184 for 6 in the 42nd over, before Mathews orchestrated a delayed surge, finishing unbeaten on 45 from 41, after Kumar Sangakkara had held the middle-overs together with his third 50-plus score in the tournament. Mathews arrived in the 37th over, but did not hit his first boundary until the 47th as he worked the field to establish control in the interim. Afghanistan had hidden their inexperience well for 90% of the innings, but they could not maintain their standards at the death. Mathews prospered in the poorly-protected midwicket region, as the Afghanistan fielding also waned, and the bowling grew more erratic. Sri Lanka are without Sachithra Senanayake, who has gone home to be with his wife and new son, but they will be confident of defending their eventual total, according to espncricinfo.com.