Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup 2016 as it happened

That is all for this particular live blog, but we will be back bright and early tomorrow to bring you live coverage of an Antipodean derby between Australia and New Zealand in Dharamsala.

There is also the smaller matter of England vs South Africa. Until then, goodbye.

So holders Sri Lanka get their ICC World Twenty20 title defence off to a winning start courtesy of an unbeaten 83 from Tillakaratne Dilshan. Their chase was certainly not without its hiccups, but the elder statesman saw them across the finish line with impeccable pacing.

Afghanistan - especially captain Asghar Stanikzai - proved their ability with the bat with an impressive second half to their innings, but ultimately they had no answer for Sri Lanka's vastly experienced opener. A series of fielding mishaps hardly helped their cause, either.

Next up on their Group 1 agenda is a meeting with South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, face table-toppers West Indies in Bangalore.

Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by six wickets

19th over - Sri Lanka 155-4

Sri Lanka win the match with an over to spare courtesy of two more fours from the brilliant Dilshan, the winning shot punched past mid-wicket.

Sri Lanka require 11 from their final two overs.

18th over - Sri Lanka 143-4

Mathews panics as an inside edge off Dawlat Zadran almost hits the stumps. He then produces back-to-back fours,the first is is spilled by third man Gulbadin Naib and the second is struck very nicely indeed through mid-wicket. There was no stopping that.

23 needed from 18 now.

17th over - Sri Lanka 131-4

Mathews leads by example, providing a crucial six with just his second ball as he nails Rashid Khan over mid-wicket. He tries and fails with two more big shot attempts before hitting another gap for four.

16th over - Sri Lanka 120-4

Mathews joins Dilshan in the middle. The duo trade singles before Nabi's full toss is sent racing towards deep backward square leg. It's another horrible misfield that brings up 68 for Dilshan.

Wicket - Kapugedera (10) run out (Sri Lanka 113-4)

Kapugedera leaves his crease as Dilshan drives back down the pitch and bowler Nabi reacts smartly to divert the ball back on to the stumps. Unlucky for the batsman, but terrific work from Afghanistan's spinner.

15th over - Sri Lanka 113-3

Dilshan takes advantage of a full toss to power his fourth six of the innings. A run-out appeal on the 39-year-old is then referred to the third umpire but quickly dismissed. Kapugedera swipes Hassan for four through mid-wicket.

41 more runs needed from 30 deliveries.

14th over - Sri Lanka 99-3

Chamara Kapugedera is off and running with two singles. Dilshan then slogs a poor ball from Rashid to deep mid-wicket and a dreadful mistake from Shafiq Shafiqullah sees the ball slip through his hands and away for four.

13th over - Sri Lanka 92-3

Dilshan plunders five more to bring up his half-century. An overthow from Afghanistan then costs them precious runs and Shahzad complains to the umpire that he was blocked off.

The required run-rate now stands at 8.8.

Wicket - Perera (12) run out (Sri Lanka 85-3)

Shahzad reacts quickly to collect the ball and hit the wickets directly after Perera called through for an ill-advised single. He looks in at first glance but it's referred to third umpire Richard Kettleborough who gives it out.

12th over - Sri Lanka 85-2

Seven more runs to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Dilshan just five short of his 50 now and Perera has 12.

11th over - Sri Lanka 77-2

Dilshan nicks a single before Sri Lanka are gifted four leg byes when Shenwari's delivery is missed by the swinging Perera and turns past wicket-keeper Mohammad Shahzad away to the boundary.

The bowler is not happy and lets his teammate know about it.

10th over - Sri Lanka 71-2

Dilshan and Perera help themselves to a flurry of singles before the former announces his presence by whacking a long six down the ground. Not great bowling from Karim Sadiq.

Ninth over - Sri Lanka 60-2

Wicket - Thirimanne (6) b Rashid Khan (Sri Lanka 58-2)

Thirimanne has looked far from convincing alongside the experienced Dilshan. Just two balls after hitting a four, he gets an inside edge on 17-year-old Rashid Khan's turning delivery that crashes into his leg stump.

Thisara Perera to the crease.

Eighth over - Sri Lanka 54-1

Dilshan takes command and runs well for two after a shot to square-leg. He notches another slightly risky couple before cutting off the back-foot nicely for four. Sri Lanka ease past the 50 mark.

Seventh over - Sri Lanka 44-1

Two singles for Dilshan and one for third man Thirimanne. The latter then survives an lbw appeal from Rashid Khan.

Wicket - Chandimal (18) c Shafiqullah b Nabi (Sri Lanka 41-1)

Nabi gets the breakthrough with just his second ball of the innings, coaxing Chandimal into coming down the ground and hitting a poor shot that is taken at mid-wicket.

Some much-needed spin now as Nabi is given the nod. Can he break up this threatening opening partnership?

Fifth over - Sri Lanka 41-0

An otherwise economical over from Zadran, who has demonstrated his football skills, is tarnished by a short ball being dispatched away for four. Chandimal's back-foot drive flies past the fielder and beyond the boundary.

Fourth over -Sri Lanka 35-0

Two quick fours from Dilshan, who exploits the gaps at mid-wicket to perfection. He has moved on to 22 at a rapid pace.

Third over - Sri Lanka 25-0

Dilshan is in no mood to wait around. After a single from Chandimal and a dot ball, he leathers a flat pull shot over the square-leg boundary. Not content with just one six, he then treats the crowd to his trademark Dilscoop. Brilliant.

Right-arm quick Dawlat Zadran replaces Sadiq in the attack.

Second over - Sri Lanka 12-0

Much better from Hassan as he limits Dilshan and Chandimal to just one run apiece.

First over - Sri Lanka 10-0

Chandimal is held to no runs for the first three ball of the innings. Anxious to get the chase off and running, he then hits a four before unleashing a huge six over mid-wicket.

That is exactly what the doctor ordered as Hamid Hassan prepares to take the second over sporting his usual headband.

Dilshan and Chandimal to open the batting for Sri Lanka. Karim Sadiq will bowl first.

It was a really slow start for Afghanistan, but they came on very strong indeed during the latter half of that innings courtesy of an important 47-ball 62 from skipper Asghar Stanikzai.

Samiullah Shenwari's contribution was also important, as was the 20 from Noor Ali Zadran. Two wickets for Rangana Herath and three for Thisara Perera.

Sri Lanka's chase will begin shortly.

20th over - Afghanistan finish on 153-7

Najibullah Zadran makes his presence felt quickly with a first-ball six over cover. He follows that up with a four and finishes with two more runs to give Afghanistan a chance of victory.

19th over - Afghanistan 136-7

Wicket - Asghar (62) c Chandimal b Thisara (Afghanistan 136-7)

The captain's impressive knock comes to an end as a Sri Lankan fielding change leads him to try and scoop over third man but the shot isn't clean and is easily snaffled by Chandimal.

Wicket - Shafiqullah (5) c Thirimanne b Perera (Afghanistan 132-6)

A mightily powerful drive from Asghar as he blasts over long-on and into the crowd before Shafiqullah is caught by Thirimanne at the mid-wicket boundary. Afghanistan will be thankful that was not their captain, who proceeds to slap Perera away for four.

18th over - Afghanistan 124-5

17th over - Afghanistan 118-5

An inexplicable drop from Mathews as he is picked out by Asghar at cover but puts it down while appearing to blame the lights for his mistake. Sri Lanka could have had two wickets in as many balls but instead the over ends with the reprieved man driving well for four.

Shafiqullah Shafiq walks to the crease.

Wicket - Shenwari (31) c Perera b Kulasekara (Afghanistan 112-5)

After a big six takes him on to 31, Shenwari is out next ball as he goes outside off and sends a shot into the arms of Perera inside the boundary.

16th over - Afghanistan 105-4

Perera concedes three runs before being hit for consecutive fours by Shenwari.

Herath finishes his four overs with figures of 2-24.

15th over - Afghanistan 94-4

Asghar gets another six but he should have been caught by Lahiru Thirimanne on the boundary. Shenwari also clears the rope and then survives a big lbw shout from Herath. That ball looked to be gliding down the leg-side and he survives.

14th over - Afghanistan 81-4

Six from the over, including a wide. Asghar on 34 and 10 for Shenwari.

13th over - Afghanistan 75-4

Finally some fireworks as Asghar lets rip for consecutive sixes. The first goes over mid-wicket and the second flies back above Siriwardana and high into the stands. More of that, please.

Siriwardana to bowl now.

12th over - Afghanistan 59-4

Shenwari opens up with a perfect strike through backward point for only Afghanistan's sixth boundary of the contest. Eight runs from the over.

Over halfway through their innings and Afghanistan are in a rather sticky situation. Skipper Asghar is still at the crease and needs to add to his tally and fast if they are to have a chance.

Wicket - Nabi (3) lbw b Herath (Afghanistan 51-4)

Another wicket down as new man Mohammad Nabi opens with three singles before being trapped lbw by Herath. An easy decision for the umpire, with the ball pitching outside off.

Shinwari in at six.

Wicket - Sadiq (0) c Chandimal b Perera (Afghanistan 46-3)

It's been a shaky start from Sadiq and he is removed for a duck after he looks for the big hit down the ground and catches a slight edge that carries behind to Kusal Perera.

Karim Sadiq is the next batsman in.

Wicket - Noor Ali (20) b Herath (Afghanistan 44-2)

With the first ball of the ninth over, Afghanistan lose a second wicket as Noor Ali, on 20, tries to sweep Herath and loses his leg stump.

The very next delivery is a wide but the rest of the over goes for no runs.

Eighth over - Afghanistan 44-1

One run each for Asghar and Noor Ali. Efficient bowling from Dushmantha.

Seventh over - Afghanistan 42-1

After an initial dot ball, Asghar spots a hole in mid-wicket and smashes away for four. The next three deliveries yield nothing before the skipper ends with a single.

Rangana Herath to bring a bit of left-arm spin to proceedings now.

Sixth over - Afghanistan 36-1

Asghar with a nice shot to the leg side for a single. Noor Ali collects one of his own before his partner picks up another.

Good length from Dushmantha as he forces Noor Ali to defend off his legs. The over ends with a quick single to mid-on.

Dushmantha brings his pace into the attack now.

Fifth over - Afghanistan 30-1

Asghar tries a big shot to the boundary but he only ends up with a single. Noor Ali then picks out a four through backward square leg as Milinda Siriwardana fails to cut it out on the dive. Mathews bowls a wide and the final two balls go for no runs.

Fourth over - Afghanistan 22-1

Asghar Stanikzai is the next man in. Noor Ali drives for four before hitting a lovely shot that yields nothing as it is stopped by Kulasekara. Two more runs to finish for the 27-year-old makes it 10 for the over in total.

Wicket - Shahzad (8) c Dushmantha b Mathews (Afghanistan 12-1)

Shazad, after hitting Mathews straight down the ground for the first boundary, then tries to pull away to the legside but a leading edge takes it high into the air and he is already walking off as Dushmantha Chameera takes a simple catch.

Second over - Afghanistan 6-0

Kulasekara's first ball is a wide. Shahzad then takes advantage of a misfield to scoop a single to the onside. Only one more run follows and Sri Lanka are doing well to frustrate their opponents early on.

A small red line on the sightscreen seems to be causing the issue. The umpires convince Shahzad to continue and we are back underway.

A minor delay now as Shahzad seems to have a problem with something in his eyeline. It will need to be removed before we can continue.

Right-arm paceman Nuwan Kulasekara to bowl next.

First over - Afghanistan 3-0

Shahzad kicks things off with a single. Noor Ali is then slightly fortunate to see an inside edge off his thigh pad miss the stumps and go safe. Just the three runs from that opening over.

Sri Lanka's long anthem has finished and we are ready to begin. Openers Mohammad Shahzad and Noor Ali walk out to the crease.

Mathews will bowl first.

A good atmosphere is building inside the vast Eden Gardens, which has a capacity of over 66,000. Plenty of empty seats but that shouldn't affect matters.

It's time for the national anthems.

Just minutes away from the action getting underway now. New Zealand, Pakistan and the West Indies are the teams with wins to their name at the tournament so far, beating hosts India, Bangladesh and England.

Afghanistan: Shahzad, Noor Ali, Asghar (c), Karim, Gulbadin, Sami, Najib, Shafaq, Rashid, Dawlat, Hamid

Sri Lanka: Dilshan, Chandimal, Thirimanne, Kapugedera, Mathews (c), Siriwardana, Shehan, Thisara, Kulasekara, Dushmantha, Herath

Both Stanikzai and Mathews commented on the dryness of the pitch at Eden Gardens. We will have the confirmed lineups for you shortly, but the headline news is that there is no Malinga for Sri Lanka.

A quick look at the form guide...

Afghanistan have won the toss and will bat first

A positive Super 10 performance from the Afghans would certainly add to the calls for these associate nations to play more frequently against their full member counterparts.

You would be foolish to write off Sri Lanka at a major tournament, however, regardless of their recent struggles.

Afghanistan are captained by Asghar Stanikzai, who believes his improving side have the chance to spring a surprise in Kolkata.

We have some game-changers, and we have not qualified for the Super 10s just to participate. We are ready to challenge some big teams.

We came close against Sri Lanka in the 2015 World Cup but their experienced batsmen, particularly Mahela Jayawardene, played outstandingly to beat us. This time most of their players are new; this time we have a good chance to beat them.

(quotes via ESPN Cricinfo)

Afghanistan enjoy a burgeoning reputation in world cricket. Inzamam-ul-Haq's side have risen to ninth in the ICC's T20 international rankings and Mathews knows that they should not be underestimated.

They are very tough. The last two times that we played it was two close games. They have fought really hard against us and we had to fight to beat them. We can't really call Afghanistan minnows.

They've beaten all the teams in their qualifying changes very easily. We don't take them easily, because they can upset any team on a given day. We have to play really good cricket to beat Afghanistan.

Veering away from this match for a second, England's women cricketers have begun their WT20 campaign with a 36-run defeat of Bangladesh at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Skipper Charlotte Edwards top scored with 60 and Natalie Sciver made 27 to reach 153-7. In reply, the Tigers were limited to 117-6. Anya Shrubsole took 2-27 and there were also wickets for Katherine Brunt, Jenny Gunn and Danielle Hazell.

We should remind you that play is due to get underway in just under an hour, at 14.00 GMT.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan met previously during the pool stage of the 2015 World Cup in Dunedin, where Jayawardene hit his 19th one-day international century to rescue a four-wicket win after the favourites had been reduced to 18-3.

They made the quarter-finals of that tournament before being thrashed by South Africa. Afghanistan won one match against Scotland and finished just two points adrift of a woeful England side that failed to qualify for the knockout stages.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have been caught in something of a rapid downward spiral of late. The 2014 winners endured a dreadful recent Asia Cup campaign and finished fourth at the group stage with their one solitary win coming against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Lasith Malinga offered to resign from his post as T20 captain just a matter of days before their defence was due to get underway having struggled with his recovery from a knee injury. He retained his place in the squad but was replaced as skipper by Angelo Mathews.

A failure to compensate for the losses of retired greats Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene is costing the Lions dearly.

Good afternoon and welcome to IBTimes UK's latest comprehensive live coverage of the ICC World Twenty20 2016, where the Super 10 stage continues with a Group 1 meeting between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Arguably one of world sport's biggest feel good stories, Afghanistan reached the second phase of the competition for the first time in their short cricketing history with three consecutive victories over Scotland, Hong Kong and Zimbabwe.

The latter contest was a straight qualification shoot-out, with Mohammad Nabi hitting 52 runs from 32 balls and Samiullah Shenwari adding 43 in a 59-run win. Rashid Khan and Hamid Hassan then impressed with the ball, finishing with figures of 3-11 and 4-11 respectively.