SL Vs AFG match highlights: in a nail-biting match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka on Wednesday, the hosts locked the victory this time, thanks to their young players at the Pallekelle Stadium.
Chasing a target of 314, Sri Lanka witnessed a team effort to reach that target, but at last it was Charith Asalanka, who scored an unbeaten 83 off 72, and the 19-year-ol Dunith Wellalage played a blazing not out knock of 31 off 21 that finally helped their side cross the finishing line.
Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran smashed a blistering century to power 313 for Afghanistan in 50 overs.
SL Vs AFG match highlights
Opted to bat, Afghanistan not witnessed a best of the start as they lost their 3 wickets under 60.
But, Ibrahim Zadran and Najibullah then rescued their side and added 154 for the fourth wicket before the latter walked back after scoring a good 77 off 76. He was trapped by Hasaranga.
Zadran, however, remained steady on the other hand, and continued to play his aggressive knock, was the only saviour in the final few overs for the visitors as his knock helped the side to cross 300-run mark.
He soon recorded 150, but missed the chance to remain not out till the end as an opener as he got out on the very last ball of the over.
Zadran played a knock of 162 runs in 138, and struck 15 fours and 4 sixes in the process.
It was his second hundred in the three-match series.
SL Vs AFG match highlights: Sri Lanka to chase 314 in 50 overs
A do or die match for Sri Lanka saw a good start by their openers as they collected 101 runs for the first wicket.
Both openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis were playing flawlessly before Afgan’s spinners took the control of the game.
The mystery spinner first removed Nissanka for 35, Mohammad Nabi then dismissed Mendis for 67, and soon Rashid bowled out Dhananjaya de Silva for 5 to bring Afghanistan back in game.
Dinesh Chandimal after scoring a decent 33 also beaten by Nabi’s clever bowl.
Charith Asalanka and the skipper Dasun Shanaka then steadied the ship with a 79-run partnership for the fifth wicket and the things were looking in place for Sri Lanka but then Rashid got rid off Shanaka for 43. Wanindu Hasaranga failed to create any magic this time and got out for just 2 runs.
With 65 more to win in 41, and Asalanka and the young 19-year-old Wellalage were there on crease, they, however, kept their calm and guide the Sri Lankan team to satisfying win to level the series 1-1.
Charith Asalanka remained not out in the process with 83 in 72. While the young Dunith Wellalage scored an unbeaten 31 off 21 in the process
Most runs in Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan series
The stylish opener Ibrahim Zadran has ended the series with most runs as he recorded 278 runs in 3 games at an average of 92.67, while maintain a 100-plus strike rate in 50-over format. He struck two hundreds in the process.
Most wickets in Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan series
Sri Lanka’s Kasun Rajitha bagged the most number of wickets in the series with 7 wickets in 3 games. His best bowling figure was 3 for 31 in a game he recorded 2 maidens.
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