Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed figures of 3/11 as Afghanistan thumped Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the opening Group B match of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Saturday.
The Afghans were wearing their Marhaba Cars Auction sponsored jerseys, and skipper Mohammad Nabi won the toss and put the Lanks in. Farooqi got his side off to a dream start by trapping Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka off consecutive deliveries in the very first over.
Pathum Nissanka then fell in in controversial circumstances after being adjudged caught behind off Naveen-ul-Haq.
The pair of Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Danushka Gunathilaka anchored the innings with a 44 run stand for the fourth wicket before the latter reverse swept Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Karim Janat at deep point for a run a ball 17.
Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva also departed cheaply miscuing a slog to skipper Nabi at mid off, as Sri Lanka lost half their side for 60.
Nabi then dismissed the opposition Dasun Shanaka for a golden duck, nicking one behind the stumps.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa resistance ended on 38 as he was caught short by a brilliant direct hit from Nabi. Off the very next delivery Mahesh Theekshana was run out for a duck while attempting a non existent run.
At 75/9, Sri Lanka were in danger of being bowled out for under 100. However Chamika Karunaratne scored a valuable 38 ball-31 to take his side past the three figure mark. He however was the last man dismissed, bowled by Farooqi as Sri lanka was bowled out for 105 in 19.4 overs.
For Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/11,while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi claimed 2 wickets each.
Chasing 106, openers Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz got Afghanistan off to a blazing start. The duo added 83 runs for the opening stand before the Gurbaz was was cleaned up by a googly from Hasaranga for a sparkling 18 ball-40.
Opener Hazratullah remained unbeaten on 37 off 28 balls as Afghanistan chased the target in just 10.1 overs, with eight wickets in hand.
Fazalhaq Farooqi was adjudged the Player of the Match for his impressive spell.
Afghanistan 106 for 2 (Gurbaz 40*, Zazai 37, Hasaranga 1-19) beat Sri Lanka 105 all out (Rajapaksa 38, Farooqi 3-11, Nabi 2-14) by 8 wickets