Sri Lanka has several headaches ahead of its World Cup qualifiers in two weeks` time following a disappointing six-wicket-defeat against Afghanistan on Friday. Set a target of 269, Afghanistan got there with 19 deliveries to spare to take the opener of the three-match one-day international series.

Ibrahim Zadran was the hero for the visitors, top scoring with 98 runs. The opening batter took the Sri Lankan quicks to task during the Power Play as he raced to his half-century in just 35 balls. Zadran, who is a 21-year-old right-handed batter, settled down after the field restrictions as he added 146 runs with Rahmat Shah for the second wicket as the Afghans proved Sri Lanka`s total of 268 was way below par.