Bangalore, June 5:

Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan hit an unbeaten 47 to guide Asia XI to a six-wicket victory over Africa XI in the Twenty20 cricket here on Tuesday.

The Asian team were struggling at 34-3 before surpassing their opponents’ modest total of 109-8 with more than four overs to spare in the day-night game.

Bangladeshi teenager Tamim Iqbal smashed a 22-ball 30 before middle-order batsman Dilshan steered his team home with a 49-run stand for the fifth wicket with skipper Shoaib Malik (14 not out). Left-handed opener Iqbal, 18, hit one six and three fours, while Dilshan struck one six and six fours in his 36-ball knock.

Kenyan Nehemiah Odhiambo had jolted the Asian side with two wickets in his opening spell.

Opener Loots Bosman top-scored with 52 off 55 balls for Africa XI. South African Gulam Bodi (12) was the other batsman to reach double-figures.

Bangladeshi Mashrafe Mortaza tool 2-17 off four overs. India’s Shanthakumaran Sreesanth also grabbed two wickets.

The three-match Afro-Asia Cup starts here on Wednesday, with the last two day-night games to be held in Chennai on Saturday and Sunday.