Afghanistan stun Ireland in WT20 warm-up

Debutants Afghanistan made an impressive start to their World Twenty20 campaign, beating Ireland by five wickets in a warm-up match in Guyana on Wednesday.

Debutant seamer Dawlat Ahmadzai claimed four wickets for 15 runs as Ireland were restricted to 133-9 in their 20 overs, John Mooney top-scoring with 42.

In reply, Ashghar Stanikzai and Mohammad Nabi added 66 for the fifth wicket in six overs as Afghanistan got to the target with three balls to spare.

Afghanistan open their World Twenty20 campaign with a match against India on Saturday.

In another warm-up match in Barbados, an unbeaten 61 from Chamara Kapugedera was in vain as Sri Lanka were beaten by South Africa by five wickets.

Kapugedera and veteran Sanath Jayasuriya helped Sri Lanka put up 137 for 8 before a 61-run partnership between Mark Boucher and Johan Botha allowed South Africa to squeeze home in the final over and win with three balls to spare.

Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara opted to bat first after winning the toss at the Kensington Oval but Tillakaratne Dilshan fell first ball to Rory Kleinveldt.

Charl Langeveldt then struck twice to dismiss Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene as Sri Lanka slipped to 22 for 3.

Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Matthews soon followed as Sri Lanka, runners-up to Pakistan in the 2009 Twenty20 final, collapsed to 42 for 5 in the ninth over.

But Jayasuriya (33) helped steady the ship before Kapugedera gave his side a fighting chance with three fours and five sixes.

South African skipper Graeme Smith was dismissed by Nuwan Kulasekara in the first over for one befor Loots Bosman hit a quick 20.

Botha and Boucher put South Africa on their way, scoring at more than 11 runs an over.

At the same venue, England eased past Bangladesh by seven wickets.

Bangladesh were limited to 126-7 with slow left-armer Michael Yardy taking 3-20 before Ravi Bopara hit 62 from 48 balls to steer England to victory in the 18th over.

West Indies lost by seven runs to New Zealand in a warm-up later in Guyana.