Guangzhou: Star-studded Sri Lanka recorded a nervous two-wicket win over little-known Nepal while fast bowlers helped Afghanistan crush Hong Kong by eight wickets in the Asian Games cricket quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka, with at least eight international players in the playing 11, had to bank on its tailenders to see them through after Nepal had reduced them to 56 for eight wickets.
Sajeewa Weerakoon (13) and Kaushal Lokuarachchi (9) dug out 17 runs for the ninth wicket to achieve a small victory target of 73 runs in 19.5 overs.
Sri Lanka, which dismissed Nepal for 72, were cruising well at 31-1 before Nepal claimed seven wickets for just 25 runs.
Medium fast bowler Paras Khadka got the prized wicket of captain Jehan Mubarak (3) and Malinga Bandara while spinner Basant Regmi had the wickets of Jeevanta Kulatunga (20) and Chinthaka Jayasinghe (2).
Sri Lanka will take on Bangladesh in the semifinals on Thursday.
Earlier, Afghanistan's fast bowlers Mirwais Ashraf (3-8) and left-armer Zardan (2-9) polished off Hong Kong's top order in pacey unchanged opening spells of four overs each. Hong Kong was eventually bowled out for 63 in 17.4 overs.
Afghanistan raced to 66 for two in 13.2 overs to secure a place in Thursday's semifinals against Pakistan. Mohammad Shahzad and Nowroz Mangal both remained unbeaten on 20.
Nadeem Ahmed (17) and Jamie Atkinson (16) led the Hong Kong innings but both fell to captain Mohammad Nabi's offspin bowling.
"I think Pakistan will be more scared of us after today's performance than we are from them," Nabi told the Associated Press.
Zardan, who frequently gets bowling tips from Pakistan's star fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, hoped the wicket stays the same on Thursday.
"I think every fast bowler will love to bowl on such a lively track," said Zardan, who struck twice in his third over to reduce Hong Kong to 12 for four.
Afghanistan took wickets at regular intervals and never allowed Hong Kong's batsmen to settle down. as Nabi wrapped up the innings when he had Ahmed stumped.
"I think Afghanistan used the conditions very well," said Hong Kong captain Najeeb Amar, who was run out in the first over without scoring.
Afghanistan coach Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan Test cricketer, expected the toss to play an important role in Thursday's game against his home country.
"Batting first is not easy and both Afghanistan and Pakistan have good fast bowlers. So naturally the toss could be crucial," Latif said.
Latif said he is quietly confident that Afghanistan can reach the final.
"Of course, I would love to see Afghanistan winning tomorrow because I am their coach," he said. "I am not saying we will win gold medal but if we win, it will change the lives of people back in Afghanistan."
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