Warren Lees
Ex-New Zealand wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"Shenwari was encouraged to go for that shot by the big hitting from his captain. He hit it well and flat but that's another disappointment for Afghanistan.

"They may have decided that 260 to 280 is not a winning score and want to get to 320 but they are not far enough into the innings to play like that and now run the risk of losing too many wickets before the final overs. They need a little bit more patience."

Image source, ALLSPORT

Nabi had stepped up the rate with a sweetly struck drive for four and then a mighty crack over mid-wicket for the maximum next ball but his partner is no more. It was well hit too, but it went straight to mid-off, where Mathews was no doubt extremely grateful to get his hands in front of where no man wants to be hit by a cricket ball, particularly one travelling at around 100mph.

A fiercely struck short-arm jab when Herath offers him a touch of width outside off-stump brings Shenwari his fifth boundary. Not pretty but there are no prizes for aesthetic appeal. Sadly.

The spin combination is broken as Perera returns, and the only blemish from him is a wide. The Afghans have already comfortably surpassed the 124 they were dismissed for in their only previous meeting with Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan 140-3 from 30 overs (Sri Lanka won toss)

Run rate: 4.66 per over

Batsmen: Shenwari 34, Nabi 7

Fall of wickets: 34-1 (Mangal 10), 40-2 (Ahmadi 24), 128-3 (Stanikzai 54)

Bowling figures: Malinga 5-1-24-0, Lakmal 6-0-20-1, Mathews 5-0-32-1, Perera 4-0-21-0, Herath 7-0-27-1, J Mendis 3-0-13-0

Scorecard

Radio 5 live sports extra commentary

Akhil Dhoot:, external Afghanistan just need to continue what they are doing, 4-5 runs an over. With wickets in hand, they can surely go for 300!

Nabi is in his 47th ODI and he has seven half centuries to his name, with a best of 77 and a useful strike-rate of 90. Only singles as Herath varies his flight skilfully. Wily customers these slow left-armers.

Stanikzai has made two of the three Afghanistan fifties against one of the top eight nations. The new man is the skipper Mohammad Nabi, who gets off the mark with a boundary when he deftly dabs a Mendis full toss past backward square-leg, where there is nothing deft about Malinga's cumbersome attempt to cut the ball off.

Warren Lees
Ex-New Zealand wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

"The start of an over is a time when you don't have to go searching for the boundary and Stanikzai has gone after it. Afghanistan felt so positive about the way they were going but now they have to start again and it'll take five or six overs to get back on track."

But he's gone this time, just dragging a lofted drive a fraction, and sending it straight down the throat of Mendis on the long-on boundary. A very enterprising innings, what can his pals do from here?

Stanikzai also made 66 against Australia in August 2012, a bowling attack featuring Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson. Shenwari reveals the reverse sweep against Mendis and collects two.

Tim Oliver:, external Will be a brilliant achievement if Afghanistan can bat for 50 overs. If they do, they might give a Sri Lanka run for their money.

Kishin Mahtani:, external Afghanistan seem to know the basics of cricket better than England do.

Image source, AFP

Fifty from as many balls for Stanikzai, his fifth in ODIs, sealed with his fifth four, a thump down the ground off Herath. He proudly raises his bat to his appreciative colleagues on the balcony and then the rest of the ground, who are now enjoying some watery sunshine.

Image source, Getty Images

Could be a Manchester United flag that couldn't it? Merging the traditional with the old Newton Heath colours that we saw a few years back. Surely Sri Lanka are not going to be embarrassed by a minnow? Jeevan Mendis is on with his array of leg-breaks. A googly finds some turn off the pitch but Stanikzai turns it away for a single and is quick to let his partner - and the bowler - know that he picked the delivery.

Chris Painter:, external Umpire's call rule needs addressing! More than half the ball was hitting some part of the stump - yet Sri Lanka lose their DRS!

Image source, ALLSPORT

Malinga returns but although the blonde curls are still there he doesn't look the same destructive bowler of old. Stanikzai has already had treatment on his hind quarters and he won't want to play too many of those full blooded swipes at fresh air that nearly knock him off balance. He picks up another boundary though, his fourth four, with a thick edge through the vacant gully region.

Image source, ALLSPORT

Sri Lanka review an lbw decision as Herath's quicker ball traps Shenwari on the crease when he tries to turn to leg. The replays show half the ball is hitting leg stump but it is given as umpire's call so the decision from umpire Gaffaney remains and Sri Lanka lose their review.

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"The Sri Lankans aren't showing much energy out there. There's no real mystery, apart from Malinga, in their attack anymore without Ajantha Mendis. The rest is pretty orthodox. This is a good start by any standards in this tournament and captain Angelo Mathews will be worried."

The fifty stand from 70 balls. An edge to third man brings Shenwari his third boundary, while a rare slip down the leg-side from skipper Mathews results in five wides and brings up the 100. Time for the skipper to tap into the wisdom of former captain Jayawardene.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at the World Cup

"England nets in grey Christchurch ahead of their match against Scotland on Monday. Stuart Broad had a long chat with coach Peter Moores before he batted. I wonder if the thrust was 'get in line, Stuart'."