Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 3 runs in the 3rd T20I in Dambulla on Wednesday, February 21 to secure a consolation win in series. The hosts, on the other hand, would be disappointed as they were unable to go away with the clean sweep.
After conceding the series, the Afghans went into the match with nothing to lose. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai took the visiting team off to a flying start with a partnership of 88 runs for the opening wicket off 7.2 overs.
Zazai got out after scoring 45 off 22, but Gurbaz carried on to make 70 runs off 43 balls with the help of 7 fours and 1 six. On the back of their opening stand, Afghanistan racked up a massive score of 209 for 5 on the board.
Azmatullah Omarzai scored 31 runs off 23 balls, after which Mohammad Ishaq chipped in with an unbeaten 16-run cameo. Matheesha Pathirana and Akila Dananjaya picked up 2 wickets apiece for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka made an impressive start to their run-chase after Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put on 64 runs for the opening wicket. It was Nissanka, who did most of the scoring after making 60 runs off 30 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes.
But after he had to retire hurt, Sri Lanka lost their way a wee bit. Sadeera Samarawickrama and skipper Wanindu Hasaranga scored 23 and 13 respectively before getting out.
Kamindu Mendis tried his heart out and brought the target down to 10 off the last 2 balls, but he fell short of taking his team past the finish line. Mendis stayed not out on 65 runs off 39 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes.
Mohammad Nabi was the pick of the Afghan bowlers with figures of 4-0-35-2. Gurbaz won the Player of the Match award for his masterful knock in the top order.
