Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 83 powered Sri lanka across the line. (Source:PTI)

Sri Lanka, defending champions, commence their 2016 campaign with a convincing six-wicket win over Afghanistan at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday. Set a 154-run target, Sri Lanka got off to a brisk start before losing quick wickets but Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 83 powered them across the line. Here’s a look at the major talking points from the day’s play.

Early inroads: After electing to bat first, Aghanistan innings never got going as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Near the half-way mark, their bulk of their batting order was back in the hut and the run-rate was not very encouraging either. In a format as short as the T20Is, starts are need of the hour. Afghanistan didn’t get one today and allowed Sri Lanka to dominate proceedings for the first half of their innings.

The super Ss: Shenwari and Stanikzai came together in the 12th over of the innings, with the scoreboard reading a disappointing 51/4. Their task was simple – bat long and bat big. After a watchful start, and seeing wickets fall at the other end, Stanikzai led from the front with a little charge in the middle overs. He attacked the spinner Siriwardana and cleared the ropes on four occasions during his 47-ball 62. The skipper did inject stability with Shenwari but more importantly allowed the all-rounder to fire on all cylinders. The right-hander responded in fine fashion – hitting 31 off only 14 balls and gave the total a much needed push towards the end. The duo put on 61 in just 6.3 overs and ensured their bowlers have something to bowl at.

The release: Sri Lanka were guilty of releasing the pressure after the first ten overs. After putting the opposition on the mat, they not only allowed them to recover but surge towards the business end of the innings. The experienced Kulasekara went for plenty – conceding 43 from 4 – and Herath too leaked runs towards the end of his spell. It was again a surprise that Mathews, after bowling well for three overs, didn’t finish his quota of overs. Against Afghanistan, it didn’t cost them that much but it could get dicey against oppositions like Pakistan, India and Australia.

Dilshan roars to form: Dilshan found form at the end of the Asia Cup when he smashed an unbeaten 75 against Pakistan in the dead rubber. But only to drop it with two ducks in the warm-up matches. The opener was under pressure and a batsman of his style holds key for any side in this format. Dilshan started with intent – hitting a couple of sixes – and never looked back. There were fall of wickets at the other end but it didn’t affect his game one bit. The 39-year-old’s running between the wickets was exceptionally good during his 13th T20I fifty. Single handedly, the opener took the game away from the opposition and didn’t really allow them to sneak their way back into the game.

Sloppy fielding: Afghanistan can shock and awe in the same breadth. Such is the kind of cricket they put on exhibition. We saw a sharp run-out by Nabi but then there were sloppy efforts in the deep which cost them three boundaries – in the last six overs. At this level, just can’t afford to let deliveries slip through your hands. With tougher oppositions lined up, the Afghans will have to ensure a 150% effort in the field.