Srilanka win first Asian games gold medal in 12 years at Incheon on Friday beating Afghanistan by 68 runs.
Electing to bat first, Srilanka got off to a slow start losing Upul Tharanga early in the innings but later then Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal steadied the ship for Srilanka with their 72- runs partnership. Thirimanne scored 57 off just 37 balls and Chandimal bolstering him who scored 33. After the partnership was broken, there wasn't a much contribution from others and Afghanistan wrapped up Srilankan team in 133.
In reply, Afghanistan's opener Najeeb Tarakai scored brisk 17 but after which whole team crumpled with merely two others made double figures and they end up scoring only 65 with Jeevan Mendis picking up three wickets for Srilanka. Afghanistan captain Mohammed Nabi said he has no regrets about finishing second and taking silver medal home. He also added that this was a good preparation for his young players feeling some heat before the World Cup.
With Indian cricket team who is not participating in Asian games, Srilanka was the favorite contender for the gold medal from the start. Bangladesh who won the gold medal in 2010 Asian games fetching up the bronze medal winning the third-place play off against Hong Kong this time around.
Bangladesh started their campaign with a coin toss defeat against Srilanka first up and end on a high note winning against Hong Kong. World's no.1 all-rounder currently Shakib-ul-Hasan played a gem of an innings to make sure that Bangladesh clinch the bronze medal. Shakib scored 45 alongwith his skipper Mahmudullah who scored unbeaten 35 setting up163 runs target for Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong's chase at one stage they took the command of the game but once wickets started falling they slowed down and could only manage 135/7 in their 20 overs.
