Asia Cup: UAE opts to ball, restrict Sri Lanka for 129 runs

He rattled the stumps of Mohammad Shahzad (1) later in the over.

Sri Lanka batted out the 20 overs, and looked vulnerable, but Malinga bowled the first over in reply with success, Nuwan Kulasekara was nearly unplayable, and spinner Rangana Herath tormented the inexperienced UAE batsmen by his turn and guile.

Skipper Amjad Javed claimed 3-25 to lead a spirited UAE attack as the fancied Sri Lankans collapsed from a respectable 68-0 to a modest total that raised the prospect of an upset. UAE, who had won all their three qualifying matches to make it to the main event, had the Sri Lankans by the scruff of their neck in the last 10 overs after Dinesh Chandimal (50) and Tillakaratne Dilshan had given them a brisk start. Javed was well supported by the Mohammad Naveed as the latter picked up 2 wickets at an economical over rate.

But Amjad struck by dismissing the top three Sri Lankan batsmen – Dilshan, Milinda Siriwardana and Chandimal – within four overs and UAE had spring in their steps. He sent Muhammad Kaleem (7) and Muhammad Usman (6) packing in the fourth over as UAE slipped to 16 for 4.

And although UAE’s specialists comprehensively failed – opener Rohan Mustafa departed for a golden duck – Sri Lanka were almost punished by the underdogs’ tail, wicketkeeper Swapnil Patil, batting at six, scoring 37 off 36 balls before he was caught and bowled by Lasith Malinga, who was playing in his first competitive match since November.

Mohammad Shahzad joined in the action with a couple of wickets as Sri Lanka capsized to 129/8 at the end of 20 overs.

“It was a big setback to lose two wickets to Malinga in the first over”. In between Mustafa trapped Angelo Mathews in front to snuff out Sri Lanka’s last hope of a late charge. His knock included seven fours and the only six of Sri Lanka’s innings.

India beat hosts Bangladesh by 45 runs in the opening match of the Twenty20 tournament on Wednesday.