Won due to bowlers: Thisara Perera

Cardiff (PTI): Sri Lanka were far from perfect after yet another batting collapse against Afghanistan, but all-rounder Thisara Perera said the team always had faith in their "experienced bowling unit" to pull off the win.

Sri Lanka registered their first win of the World Cup against Afghanistan after facing a massive defeat at the hands of New Zealand in their tournament opener. After being put into bat, Sri Lanka could only manage to put 201 on the scoreboard before Nuwan Pradeep (4/31) and Lasith Malinga (3/39) starred with the ball to bundle out Afghanistan for 152.

"We all believed in ourselves and we knew we have an experienced bowling unit, which is why we had five fast bowlers as we have that experience," Perera said after the victory. "We had to take wickets otherwise we would have lost. So that's why we had to stick to our basic plans and not do anything extra."

Having crumbled to 136 all out against New Zealand three days ago, Sri Lanka made a strong start with the bat against Afghanistan as Kusal Perera made 78. But they faced yet another batting disaster, collapsing from 144/1 to 201 all out in 36.5 overs in a dramatic turn of events in the first innings."