SL vs AFG, Asia Cup 2022: As It Happened

Afghanistan have bundled Sri Lanka for 105 in 19.4 overs.

Chamika Karunaratne is holding one end and keeping most of the strike to post a respectable total to defend after the wicket of Matheesha Pathirana (5). Sri Lanka are 91/9 after 18 overs.

Sri Lanka lost two back-to-back wickets in the 12th over off Mohammad Nabi. First, it was Bhanuka Rajapaksa (38) and then Maheesh Theekshana (0) -- both got run out.

Sri Lanka are losing wickets at regular intervals as Afghanistan bowlers are dominating the match. Bhanuka Rajapaksa is only batter who is getting some runs for Sri Lanka. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi have bagged two wickets each. Sri Lanka are 68/6 after 12 overs.

Spinner Mujeeeb Ur Rahman broke the 44-run fourth wicket partnership as he clinched Danushka Gunathilaka for 17 runs in the eighth over. Sri Lanka are reeling at 54/4 after 8 overs.

Bhanuka Rajapaksha and Danushka Gunathilaka are holding fort for Sri Lanka despite losing three early wickets. Sri Lanka are 41/3 after 6 overs.

Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled maiden over as Sri Lanka reeling at 5/3 after the end of three overs. Danushka Gunathilaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa are on the crease.

Sri Lanka lose another wicket in the second over as Naveen-ul-Haq grabbed opener Pathum Nissanka (3). Ball nicked Nissanka's bat and was cleanly taken by wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi provides dream start to Afghanistan as he bagged two wickets -- Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka -- in the first over of the match. Sri Lanka 3/2 after the first over. 

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana.

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi(c), Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Afghanistan have won the toss and opted to field against Sri Lanka in the opening fixture of the Asia Cup at Dubai International Stadium.

Pitch Report | Scott Styris and Wasim Akram: There's quite a bit of grass here. It will definitely seam around. It might grip a bit, but it'll be straight bowling from the spinners. This has been a great cricket ground in general. Terrific surface for batting and bowling, there should be a lot of runs.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have faced off against each other only once in the shortest format. The Islanders emerged victorious but it was way back in 2016. The Islanders ought to play the opening round of the T20 World Cup in Australia while Afghanistan have directly progressed to the Super 12s. 

Sri Lanka's probable playing XI: Kusal Mendis (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva/Ashen Bandara, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka.

Afghanistan's probable playing XI: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (capt), Samiullah Shinwari, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad.

Hello and welcome to our live blog of the Asia Cup 2022 opening match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan being held at the Dubai International Stadium. Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates!