SL VS AFG 3RD ODI

Right then, both captains share the trophy and that's all we have from this series. We look forward to your company in future for more exciting games. Until we meet again, it's goodbye and cheers!

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, starts by thanking the crowd and calls it a great game of cricket. Feels that they were down at times but timely partnerships kept them going. Adds that in the middle phase with the ball, they were not up to the mark. Wants the bowling unit to get more disciplined. Shares that the plan was to take the chase deep. He praises Charith Asalanka for his outstanding knock and calls him a finisher.

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of Afghanistan, says that they put good enough runs on the board but unluckily for them, the Lankan batters fared really well. Adds that Rashid did his job according to the plan but the other bowlers failed to execute their plans. Mentions that they were not up to the mark in the field. Tells that it was a tough series for them and is proud of his team for playing some good cricket.

Ibrahim Zadran is the unanimous choice for the Player of the Series award for scoring 278 runs at an outstanding average of 92.66. Says that he is unaware of the record he achieved in this game (got the highest individual score in ODIs in Pallekele and also notched up the highest individual score in ODIs for Afghanistan). Tells that he is very happy with the performance. Shares that the ball was not coming onto the bat, so he took time before going for his shots. Mentions that after losing quick wickets, their plan was to target 250, but once Najibullah Zadran completed his fifty and Ibrahim got his century, they decided to target 300. States that he is very proud to play for his country. Lastly, he dedicates this award to his family.

Charith Asalanka is the Player of the Match for his incredible knock. Says that he is really happy with his knock and the win. Tells that he believes in his captain and he is a magnificent batter. Adds that his knock helped him to settle down. Shares that when Dunith Wellalage walked in, he showed his faith in him and knew Dunith is a capable batter.

Time for the presentation...

Earlier, Afghanistan stuck to their template of batting first. Ibrahim Zadran was once again the star with the bat, scoring 162. His 154-run stand with Najibullah Zadran bailed out Afghanistan after early hiccups and they posted a 300-plus total on the board. They fought bravely with the ball and put themselves on top as well, but some excellent hitting towards the end along with the dew setting in meant that they ended on the losing side.

Charith Asalanka batted in different gears during his unbeaten knock of 83. His stand with Dinesh Chandimal was the need of the hour as Rashid Khan threatened to run havoc. After the chase got back on track slightly, Charith's partnership with Dasun Shanaka brought momentum in favour of Sri Lanka. Afghanistan though didn't back down and the Afghans again bounced back by removing Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga in quick time - both falling to Rashid's guile. Just when it appeared that the chase is done and dusted for the hosts, an unlikely but match-winning stand blossomed for the 7th wicket and earned Sri Lanka a much-needed 10 points on the ICC Super League table.

The chase started brightly for Sri Lanka with their openers showing good control and managing to put up a century stand. Kusal Mendis showed a lot of intent during his stay while Pathum Nissanka, who was not at his fluent best, played a perfect foil. It was after this partnership that Sri Lanka lost their way by losing a few quick wickets. Rashid Khan was instrumental in bringing Afghanistan back into the game with his double strike and the pressure mounted on the hosts.

Smiles in the Lankan camp! The crowd is ecstatic. The series is levelled. It's a record chase and their dressing room is elated. Not many would have given them a chance but they have done it and avoided the series loss. The hosts unearthed new heroes in Charith Asalanka and Dunith Wellalage. The former was limping but he brought his power game on and shifted gears as soon as he suffered cramps. A word of praise for Dunith who absorbed all the pressure and played some great shots to help out his team in crunch moments of the chase. A game to remember for a long time!

SIX! Sri Lanka get there with a maximum and it comes off the bat of Charith Asalanka who has battled through cramps to take his team home! Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls this one short and outside off, Charith Asalanka gets a hold of this one and deposits it over the deep square leg boundary for six runs. Sri Lanka have won this game by 4 wickets and have managed to level the series!

Bowls this on a good length and follows the batter as he looks to make room on the leg side. Dunith Wellalage hits this uppishly towards long on for one. Sri Lanka are now one hit away from sealing a win.

Swing and a miss! Fazalhaq Farooqi digs it in short and around off, Dunith Wellalage walks across the stumps and tries to pull but is early into the shot. 7 needed off 4 balls.

SIX! What a start to the final over for Sri Lanka! Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls this back of a length and outside off, Dunith Wellalage pulls this to the left of the deep mid-wicket fielder. Rashid Khan runs towards the ball and gets both hands on it but only manages to parry this over the ropes for a maximum. A massive let off in the context of the game as Rashid Khan usually takes these.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to deliver the final over. 13 needed off 6 balls.

Angles this into the batter on a good length, Dunith Wellalage hits this uppishly but finds the long on fielder this time. They take a run and Sri Lanka need 13 runs from the last over.

FOUR! The third boundary in the over and Sri Lanka needed this badly! Gulbadin Naib bowls this on a good length and outside off. He takes pace off and Dunith Wellalage reads it perfectly. He thumps this down to long on for four more runs.