Propelled by Pathum Nissanka’s commanding 118, Sri Lanka effortlessly clinched a 7-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the third ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, sealing a resounding 3-0 series whitewash. The home team reached the target with an impressive 14.4 overs to spare.
In the batting showdown, Afghanistan initially showed promise, with a flurry of boundaries in the opening over. Rahmanullah Gurbaz set the tone with an early assault, and Ibrahim Zadran continued the onslaught, accumulating 36 runs by the end of the fourth over. However, Avishka Fernando’s brilliant fielding cut short Ibrahim’s crease, disrupting Afghanistan’s momentum.
Despite a formidable 57-run partnership between Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah, Akila Dananjaya’s dismissal of Gurbaz halted their progress. Rahmat steadied the ship with a 58-run stand alongside Azmatullah Omarzai, both reaching half-centuries. However, the lower order struggled to accelerate, and Afghanistan was bowled out for 266, with Pramod Madushan claiming three wickets.
In the chase, Sri Lanka mirrored Afghanistan’s aggressive approach, particularly in the seventh over when Avishka dismantled Fazalhaq Farooqi. Avishka’s explosive innings led to a total of 83 by the 10th over, with him reaching his seventh ODI fifty. Nissanka joined the onslaught, and despite a few hiccups, their partnership reached a formidable 173.
Although Avishka departed in the 23rd over, Nissanka continued to dominate, securing his fifty with a paddle sweep in the 16th over. Despite surviving a couple of close calls, Nissanka’s resilience ensured Sri Lanka’s victory in 35.2 overs. Kusal Mendis added flair with three consecutive sixes before falling, but it had little impact on Sri Lanka’s decisive triumph.
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