3rd ODI, Hambantota, June 07, 2023, 10:00 AM
Afghanistan
116/10(22.2ov)
Sri Lanka
120/1(16.0ov)
Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 9 wickets
Right then! Dasun Shanaka gets the trophy, it was a complete performance from his side in this game and they win the series despite losing the first game. That is it from this game and this series. Until next time, take care and goodbye!
Dasun Shanaka says he is very pleased with the performance especially after going 1-0 down. States Dimuth Karunaratne has been really good for sometime now and he has a lot more to offer to Sri Lanka cricket. Adds they showed what they are capable off and the bowlers were brilliant in this game, especially Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara! Says the selectors and coaches will decide the squad for the Qualifiers.
Hashmatullah Shahidi says it was a bad day for them, they were under pressure after losing wickets early. States it was a good batting wicket but losing early wickets did not help. Adds they need to improve and they are looking forward to the games ahead. Credits the way Ibrahim Zadran has played and he hopes he continues the good work.
Dushmantha Chameera has been given the MAN OF THE MATCH AND THE SERIES AWARD! He says he feels happy after coming back from surgery, he has been working hard and he is very pleased. States, the wicket was slow and he took advantage of it.
... PRESENTATION TIME ...
Can't really blame the Afghanistan bowlers, they just did not have enough runs on the board. They though will still be unhappy with how easily they let Lanka get to the target. They just were not upto the mark, first with the bat and then with the ball and in the field. Overall, it was a poor performance from them in a decider.
Quite an easy win for Lanka and this will be a confidence booster heading into the World Cup Qualifiers. They were heavy favourites after their bowlers ran through the Afghanistan batting line-up and then their openers came out all guns blazing. Pathum Nissanka was on the attack and he got his fifty up in no time. The openers more or less sealed the deal with a good partnership. Pathum Nissanka fell but Dimuth Karunaratne continued and got up his half ton. Kusal Mendis also batted smartly and ensured Sri Lanka win the series in emphatic style.
In over# 16
5
1
0
0
0
1
Mohammad Nabi 20/0(3)
15.6
5
FOUR OVERTHROWS! That is the end of the game! That effort sums up the cricket Afghanistan have played today! Really poor! On middle, this is pushed towards cover. There is hesitation between the two batters but they go for the run in the end. The throw is towards the bowler's end but it is a wild one, well away from the fielder backing up and it goes down to the long on fence. SRI LANKA WIN BY 9 WICKETS!
15.5
1
A single as this is worked through mid-wicket.
15.4
.
Shorter and on off, this is pushed to cover.
15.3
.
On middle, kept out.
15.2
.
Another review as another appeal for an LBW is turned down. Seems to be going down leg. NOT OUT! Missing leg by a long way! On the pads. Kusal Mendis looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad. That was a poor review.
15.1
1
Doing it in singles now! Outside off, this is guided to deep point.
In over# 15
1
1
1
0
1
0
Rashid Khan 21/0(4)
14.6
1
Two fifties in a row for Dimuth Karunaratne! Another good knock from hm! On middle, this is worked through square leg for one.
14.5
1
Another single as this is hit down to long off.
14.4
1
A single as this is pushed down to long off.
14.3
.
On middle, this is nudged to mid-wicket.
14.2
1
A single as this is pushed down to long on.