SL vs AFG 3rd T20I Highlights: Turning points, match analysis, stats and more

Afghanistan managed to avoid a whitewash as they beat Sri Lanka by three runs in the third and final T20I of the series on Wednesday, February 21 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla. After opting to bat first, Afghanistan posted a massive score of 209/5 riding on a brilliant knock by Rahmanullah Gurbaz (70 off 43). In reply, Sri Lanka narrowly missed out on a win finishing their innings on 206/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Sri Lanka got an emphatic start to their chase as openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (16 off 13) added 64 runs for the first wicket off 35 balls. However, after a good start, they lost wickets in quick succession with Mendis and Kusal Perera (0 off 2) getting dismissed within a space of four deliveries. To pile on the misery for the hosts, set batter Pathum Nissanka (60 off 30) also had to leave the field and got retired hurt.

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Captain Wanindu Hasaranga (13 off 11) was also dismissed cheaply leaving his side on 93/3 after 9.2 overs. After several quick blows, Sadeera Samarawickrama (23 off 12) and Kamindu Mendis added 53 runs for the fourth wicket off 33 balls. Qais Ahmed broke the crucial stand for Afghanistan by getting rid of Samarawickrama in the 15th over. However, Mendis continued his knock and went on to score 65* (39) but failed to get his team over the line by scoring 19 runs in the final over. A controversial call was also witnessed on the fourth ball of the last over as the on field umpire failed to give a waist-high no-ball.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz shone with the bat for Afghanistan

Earlier in the day, after opting to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a rollicking start with openers Hazratullah Zazai (45 off 22) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz adding 88 runs for the first wicket off 44 balls.  Akila Dananjaya got the first strike for Sri Lanka by dismissing Zazai lbw in the eighth over. Following his dismissal, captain Ibrahim Zadran (10 off 9) also departed cheaply bringing Azmatullah Omarzai to the crease.

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At the other end, Gurbaz continued his knock and played a scintillating knock of 70 (43) with the help of seven fours and a six. Apart from him, Omarzai (31 off 23), Mohammad Nabi (16* off 14) and Mohammad Ishaq (16* off 8) also made valuable contributions propelling Afghanistan to 209/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Matheesha Pathirana (2/42) and Dananjaya de Silva (2/37) picked two wickets each for Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on Afghanistan's victory. Here are some of the posts: