In pictures: Afghanistan thrash Sri Lanka by 8 wickets in Asia Cup 2022 opener in Dubai

Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays a shot during the match. An excellent bowling performance followed by an equally good batting effort led Afghanistan to a convincing eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first match of the Asia Cup 2022 T20 Tournament at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Afghanistan skipper Mohammed Nabi celebrate after taking the wicket of Sri Lankan batsman Dasun Shanaka. After being invited to bat first, Sri Lanka lost wickets in clusters and their batters looked uncomfortable in the middle for most of the innings, getting bowled out for a paltry 105 in 19.4 overs.

Afghanistan fans cheer their players during the match at the Dubai International Stadium.

Afghanistan opener Hazratullah Zazai plays a shot. Chasing a small total, openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (40 off 18) and Hazratullah Zazai (37 off 28) gave Sri Lanka a blazing start, scoring 41/0 in the first 4 overs. The openers didn't stop there and scored 21-runs in back-to-back overs, helping Afghanistan finish the powerplay with 83 on the board.

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan appeals against Sri Lankan batsman Chamika Karunaratne. | Brief scores: Sri Lanka 105 all out in 19.4 overs (Bhanuka Rajapaksa 38, Chamika Karunaratne 31; Fazalhaq Farooqi 3/11, Mohammad Nabi 2/14) lost to Afghanistan 106-2 in 10.1 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 40, Hazratullah Zazai 37; Wanindu Hasaranga 1/19) by 8 wickets.

Fans celebrates as Bhanuka Rajapaksa (not in picture) of Sri Lanka plays a shot.

Afghanistan left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi congratulated by team mates as he struck a twin-blow in his first over to push Sri Lanka off the backfoot.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka plays a shot.