Afghanistan ends tour on winning note

• Sri Lanka take three-match T20I series 2-1 

A real humdinger to close the three-match T20I series as Afghanistan pulled off a thrilling three-run win over Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I played to another packed audience at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium 

yesterday.

Sri Lanka took the three-match T20I series 2-1 having won the first two matches by four runs and by 72 runs.

In a high voltage game where both teams made over 200 runs, Afghanistan winning the toss for the third consecutive time decided to bat first on this occasion and they produced their best batting display of the series posting their highest total against Sri Lanka - 209-5. Sri Lanka also began in a flurry racing to 64/1 in the first power play but lost their man in form Pathum Nissanka at a crucial stage when he was forced to retire hurt with a hamstring injury at 60 off 30 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes). Nissanka’s departure saw Sri Lanka lose their momentum and they finished agonizingly on 206-6.

Nissanka’s unfortunate departure allowed Afghanistan to fight back through their spinners in the middle overs. Mohammad Nabi picked the important wickets of Wanindu Hasaranga (13) and Angelo Mathews (4), and concussion substitute Qais Ahmed (for Sharafuddin Ashraf) delivered a crucial blow by sending back Sadeera Samarawickrama for 23. Ashraf hurt himself while taking a catch in the field and was stretchered off.

Despite the middle order wobble Sri Lanka always kept themselves in the contest with Samarawickrama and Kamindu Mendis scoring the runs. Mendis took the game to the Afghanistan bowlers till the end to score a maiden half century – 65* off 39 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes) but was left to feel hard done by the full toss in the final over bowled by Wafadar Momand that should have been called a no-ball and given him the opportunity of a free-hit which would have lent a different result to the match. 

Afghanistan came up with a brilliant batting effort to put Sri Lanka under the pump. Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz tore into the Sri Lankan bowling in the powerplay to plunder 72 runs. Zazai smashed six fours and two sixes in his power-packed knock of 45 off 22 balls.

Gurbaz stuck around after the powerplay to produce a fine innings of 70 off 43 balls (7 fours, 1 six) that gave Afghanistan just the momentum to go for a big total. Azmatullah Omarzai (31) and Mohammad Nabi (16*) combined in a 41-run stand and then Nabi and Mohammad Ishaq put the finishing touches with 55 coming off the last five overs.

Sri Lanka who had been superb in the field in the first two games were sloppy yesterday dropping catches and the bowlers bowled too short and full and gave away a multitude of extras towards the end which eventually made the difference.

Gurbaz was named Player of the Match and Wanindu Hasaranga was Player of the Series.