Asia Cup 2016, Match 2: Sri Lanka vs United Arab Emirates - As it happened...

Over 20 || Score 115/9 (Raza 9; Ahmed 2) Target 130

Some drama towards the end. After a couple of no-balls and Dushmantha Chameera debarred from bowling. Angelo Mathews completed the spell, and the match.

Over 19 || Score 101/9 (Raza 4; Ahmed 0) Target 130

Skipper Lasith Malinga also completed his spell. 4-0-26-4. Four wickets for the skipper. He is on 299 T20I wickets.

WICKET: Mohammad Naveed c Angelo Mathews b Lasith Malinga 10 (10b)

UAE need 29 off last over.

Over 18 || Score 95/8 (Naveed 6; Raza 1) Target 130

The end nears. Nuwan Kulasekara completed his spell, and in the last over got another wicket. His figures: 4-1-10-3. Brilliant stuff.

WICKET: Amjad Javed c Chamara Kapugedera b Nuwan Kulasekara 13 (18b)

Four runs from the over. UAE now need 35 from 12.

Ahmed Raza is the man, and he is a bowler.

Over 17 || Score 91/7 (Javed 12; Naveed 6) Target 130

Imperious Lasith Malinga returned to the attack and bang, got the break-through. A slower delivery and in-form Swapnil Patil undone. The UAE batsman gently lofted the ball, and Malinga gleefully accepted the return gift.

WICKET: Swapnil Patil c & b Lasith Malinga 37 (36b)

The over still went for eight runs with just arrived Mohammad Naveed hitting the premier fast bowler for a four through the square leg area.

UAE need 39 runs off 18 balls.

Over 15 || Score 77/6 (Patil 35; Javed 7) Target 130

It certainly looks like a fight-back from the minnows. But with half the men gone, it will be a difficult job. In between, Lankans seemed to have lost the fire.

Swapnil Patil hit back-to-back boundaries to make things interesting, off Dushmantha Chameera. The wicketkeeper batsman picked up the length pretty well to play not so classy looking shots, using the long handle of the bat and pulling wide. 11 runs from the over.

In the 14th over, UAE could add only three runs with Angelo Mathews operating in full control.

Over 13 || Score 63/6 (Patil 25; Javed 5) Target 130

Milinda Siriwardana introduced into the attack, and it allowed UAE to relax a bit. Eight runs from the over with Patil getting a four off the last delivery with a deft touch, running it down to the third man area.

Over 12 || Score 55/6 (Patil 20; Javed 2) Target 130

Huge ask for the lower order UAE batsmen against the crafty Sri Lankan slow bowlers. Swapnil Patil just survived a huge shout for a LBW. Lucky.

A busy over ended with Patil taking a single off Rangana Herath. Six runs from the overs, four singles and a two.

In the previous over, Dushmantha Chameera conceded only one.

UAE now need 75 runs from 48 balls.

Over 10 || Score 47/6 (Patil 14; Javed 1) Target 130

Swapnil Patil has decided to take on Rangana Herath and he started the over with a six, straight over the long on boundary. He followed with an inside out attempt, which failed to reach the boundary.

But his efforts were soon undone as partner Saqlain Haider departed trying a huge sweep against the turn.

WICKET: Saqlain Haider c Dinesh Chandimal b Rangana Herath 1 (9b)

Skipper Amjad Javed is the new batsman.

Over 8 || Score 38/5 (Patil 7; Haider 1) Target 130

Tough outing for UAE against a determined Sri Lankan bowling attack. Rangana Herath undone Shaiman Anwar. 

WICKET: Shaiman Anwar c Dinesh Chandimal b Rangana Herath 13 (15b)

With Anwar gone, UAE are as good as dead. By the way, UAE's lowest total in T20Is is 73. Well on course to lowered that mark.

Over 7 || Score 36/4 (Anwar 12; Patil 6) Target 130

Decent efforts from Shaiman Anwar and Swapnil Patil. The duo have somehow weathered the storm in Dhaka. They have added 20 vital runs in UAE's total, in chase of a modest total against a superior side.

Patil played an exquisite pull shot off the final ball of the 7th over, off Angelo Mathews to give some cheers to their fans. A six. over backward square leg. Nine runs.

Over 5 || Score 24/4 (Anwar 8; Patil 0) Target 130

For a change, some runs coming for UAE with Shaiman Anwar hitting two fours of Angelo Mathews. Anwar will be crucial to their fortunes. If he can hang on their...

Over 4 || Score 16/4 (Anwar 0; Patil 0) Target 130

Four overs, four wicket. Two wickets for Nuwan Kulasekara in his second over, after that maiden earlier.

WICKET: Muhammad Kaleem c Angelo Mathews b Nuwan Kulasekara 7 (11b)

WICKET: Muhammad Usman c Chamara Kapugedera b Nuwan Kulasekara 6 (9b)

Now, UAE batsmen's turn to take the long walk back home.

Over 3 || Score 12/2 (Kaleem 5; Usman 4) Target 130

After that brilliant opening over, Lasith Malinga conceded five runs in his second over. Unlike in the first over, Muhammad Usman picked the trick and guile of Malinga pretty well and averted further damage.

In the previous over, Muhammad Kaleem survived a dropped catch by Tillakaratne Dilshan at first slip off Nuwan Kulasekara. No run from the over.

All in all, it's been testing times for UAE batsmen against Lankan bowlers.

Over 1 || Score 7/2 (Kaleem 5; Usman 0) Target 130

Great start from Lasith Malinga. Two wickets in the first over. First ball wicket and another off the last delivery of the over to give Sri Lanka just the perfect appetiser.

WICKET: Rohan Mustafa lbw b Lasith Malinga 0 (1b)

The skipper then enjoyed himself with a variety of deliveries, including yorkers, slowers and bouncers. But there was also a overthrow from his team-mates, which meant that the over leaked 7 runs.

But, then he returned to take another wicket. Clean bowled Shahzad.

WICKET: Mohammad Shahzad b Lasith Malinga 1 (2b)

130 to get. Excellent from #UAE. Bowling their stronger suit but one good partnership could make this exciting.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 25, 2016

This is what UAE said after his splendid spell:

"Amjad: It is easier to bowl first. Hopefully, we can restrict them to 130" @ESPNcricinfo #SL 129/8! @DubaiEyeSport @7DAYSSPORT @NatSportUAE

— UAE Cricket Official (@EmiratesCricket) February 25, 2016

Over 20 || Score 129/8 (Chameera 1)

What a way to end the innings for disciplined minnows. Got two wickets in the 20th over, including Nuwan Kulasekara's off the last delivery.

WICKET: Chamara Kapugedera c Ahmed Raza b Mohammad Shahzad 10 (11b)

WICKET: Nuwan Kulasekara c Swapnil Patil b Mohammad Shahzad 7 (7b)

Six runs from the over, and UAE have provided themselves a realistic chance of causing a big upset here.

Some impressive bowling display from UAE.

Over 18 || Score 115/6 (Jayasuriya 6: Kapugedera 2)

Another great over for the minnows. Mohammad Naveed got his second wicket. He bowled Shehan Jayasuriya.

WICKET: Shehan Jayasuriya b Mohammad Naveed 10 (7b)

Nuwan Kulasekara is the new man and he can bat.

Over 17 || Score 108/5 (Jayasuriya 6: Kapugedera 2)

Sri Lanka in big trouble. Just lost the big wicket of Angelo Mathews. LBW. Good decision from the umpire.

WICKET: Angelo Mathews lbw b Rohan Mustafa 8 (9b)

Chamara Kapugedera is the new man.

Over 16 || Score 105 /4 (Mathews 8; Jayasuriya 5)

UAE continued their fight back with yet another wicket. Mohammad Naveed finally got rewarded for his good efforts.

WICKET: Dasun Shanaka c Shaiman Anwar b Mohammad Naveed 5 (11b)

Seven runs from the over, and Sri Lanka moved pass 100-run mark.

Over 15 || Score 98 /3 (Shanaka 3; Mathews 3)

UAE bowlers have somehow restricted the flow of runs. Both Amjad Javed and Ahmed Raja completed their quota of four overs each. Raza, who went wicket-less, conceded only 14 runs, while Javed got three wickets and conceded 25 runs.

Raja's fourth over resulted in six runs.

Over 14 || Score 92 /3 (Shanaka 3; Mathews 3)

Pity! Dinesh Chandimal reached his fifty with a four, then the very next delivery got out. UAE skipper got his third wicket. Three in three overs for Amjad Javed.

Wicket: Dinesh Chandimal c Mohammad Shahzad b Amjad Javed 50 (39b)

Angelo Mathews is the new man.

Over 12 || Score 84 /2 (Chandimal 47; Shanaka 2)

Captain courageous again. Amjad Javed removed newly arrived Milinda Siriwardana. Good running catch at deep mid-wicket.

WICKET: Milinda Siriwardana c Saqlain Haider b Amjad Javed 6 (7b)

In between, Dinesh Chandimal continued batting brilliantly despite UAE's fight back in the last five overs. Last 5 overs 32/2.

Over 10 || Score 72 /1 (Chandimal 43; Siriwardana 2)

Skipper Amjad Javed struck for UAE. He removed out of sorts Tillakaratne Dilshan. The Lankan opener failed to connect porperly while pulling a short delivvery. A good catch at deep mid-wicket. Four runs from the over.

WICKET: Tillakaratne Dilshan c Muhammad Usman b Amjad Javed 27 (28b)

Milinda Siriwardana is the new batsman.

In the previous over, Ahmed Raza tied down the batsmen with a three-run over.

Over 8 || Score 65 /0 (Chandimal 40; Dilshan 25)

Mohammad Shahzad continued and he has been taken to the cleaners. Started by conceding back-to-back fours with Dinesh Chandimal shacking off his little concerns in the previous over.

Then, after a single Tillakaratne Dilshan blocked the fourth delivery before hitting his fourth four of the innings. The over ended with a single. 14 runs from it.

Over 7 || Score 51 /0 (Chandimal 31; Dilshan 21)

First slow bowler in action. Slow left-arm orthodox bowler Ahmed Raza rushed through, conceding only two runs in his over. He even had a good shout for a LBW against Dinesh Chandimal.

Over 6 || Score 49 /0 (Chandimal 30; Dilshan 19)

Double bowling change. Courageous start from right-arm medium-fast Mohammad Shahzad. His' is not expressed but he has managed to probe Dinesh Chandimal with teasing length and line deliveries.

After three singles and two dot balls, Shahzad gave Chandimal some room and the Lankan opener drove through the covers. Excellent. Seven runs.

Over 5 || Score 42 /0 (Chandimal 25; Dilshan 17)

Skipper Amjad Javed brought himself into the attack. Started conceding a double to Tillakaratne Dilshan. A dot ball followed, then a single, before a misfield at covers allowed Dinesh Chandimal to get his third four of the innings. It was followed by another four.

11 runs from the over.

Over 4 || Score 31 /0 (Chandimal 17; Dilshan 14)

Amjad Javed stuck with Qadeer Ahmed. The right-arm medium pace bowler continued the good work, until the fourth delivery - which went for a six, off the blade of a predetermined Dinesh Chandimal. It was followed by a four.

Sri Lanka have scored 24 runs in the last two overs.

Over 3 || Score 19 /0 (Chandimal 6; Dilshan 13)

Good battle between the bat and ball. Tillakaratne Dilshan pulled the first delivery for a four, then Mohammad Naveed responded with two teasing deliveries.

The Sri Lankan opener then lofted the fourth delivery straight, which just about managed to trickle down the boundary. Not to be undone by any such measured attack, Naveed produced a bouncer, which hit the batsman's holding hand. Dilshan, in fact, required a brief medical attention.

The final delivery went for a four. 12 runs from the over.

Over 2 || Score 7 /0 (Chandimal 6; Dilshan 1)

Qadeer Ahmed shared the new ball and by the second delivery of his over, Sri Lanka got first boundary. Dinesh Chandimal put away in style, flicking with elan.

The 30-year-old bowler, however, managed to tie-down Chandimal. The over went for six runs.

Over 1 || Score 1 /0 (Chandimal 1; Dilshan 0)

Mohammad Naveed started the proceeding with Dinesh Chandimal facing the first delivery of the match. On the non-striker's end is Tillakaratne Dilshan. It took three deliveries for the Sri Lankan opener to open the account, a gentle push towards mid-wicket.

Then, Dilshan ate up the remaining three deliveries. Brilliant start from the so-called minnows.

Sri Lanka XI: Shehan Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Angelo Mathews, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga (capt.), Dushmantha Chameera

UAE are fielding an unchanged XI from their win over Oman in the qualifiers.

UAE XI: Rohan Mustafa, Muhammad Kaleem, Mohammad Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Muhammad Usman, Amjad Javed (capt.), Mohammad Naveed, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Swapnil Patil (wk), Qadeer Ahmed

Toss: UAE captain Amjad Javed call it right, and they will bowl first, as expected. The wicket, as per the experts, are not that green but still continue have enough tinge to assist new ball bowlers.

Looking back, Sri Lanka and UAE have never played each other in a T20 International match.

Words of wisdom from none other than Harsha Bhogle for the UAE side

Opportunity for #UAE to get some valuable experience at this level against @OfficialSLC Today at #MicromaxAsiaCup2016

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 25, 2016

PREVIEW

With their star players back in the squad, Sri Lanka would like to get into the groove with a strong performace against minnows United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their first Asia Cup T20 match today.

The Sri Lankan team bears a formidable look with the comeback of their skipper Lasith Malinga and Test captain Angelo Mathews, both of whom were missing due to injuries during the recent T20 series against India.

The other big boost for Sri Lanka will be seasoned left-arm spinner Ragana Herath's return to the side. Herath's experience will mean a lot for the defending World T20 champions on a slow Sher-e-Bangla pitch.

For UAE, Asia Cup serves them another opportunity to get a crack at the 'big boys' in the game.

They have done well by defeating Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Oman in the qualifying tournament. In fact, it was an upset win against Afghanistan when they won by 16 runs while their victories against Hong Kong and Oman came relatively easily -- by 6 wickets and 71 runs respectively.

Right-arm medium fast bowler Mohammed Naveed, with seven wickets, and top-order batsman Mohammed Shahzad, with 111 runs, have been UAE's star performers.