{ "id": "138764", "author": "26", "cnmid": "", "title": "Afghanistan Beat Sri Lanka By 3 Runs In Third T20I", "lang": "en", "series": "1", "cup_year": "2024", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "Afghanistan salvaged some pride on Wednesday when they secured a nail-biting three-run win over hosts Sri Lanka in the third T20 international, the last game of their multi-format tour. SCORECARD It h", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

Afghanistan salvaged some pride on Wednesday when they secured a nail-biting three-run win over hosts Sri Lanka in the third T20 international, the last game of their multi-format tour. SCORECARD<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

It has been a wretched tour for the Afghans -- losing six matches in a row -- but skipper Ibrahim Zadran said he was "feeling great" after his team held their nerve in a dramatic close with a hard-fought win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I am happy with the win," Zadran said. "Unfortunately, we lost the series."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Sri Lanka had already secured the three-match T20 series after winning the first two games, the first by four runs, and the second by 72 runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

They had also won the one-off Test match and the one-day international series in a 3-0 clean sweep.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But Afghanistan seemed determined to win at least one match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n

'Under pressure'<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Sri Lanka required 36 off the last two overs, with Dasun Shanaka bringing the chase down to 24 off eight balls -- but was run out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

That left Sri Lanka with 19 runs needed off the last over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But they could manage only 15, with the game marred by controversy as tensions spiked in the last six balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The fourth ball from Wafadar Momand was a high full toss, but the square leg umpire didn't call a no ball despite batters' protests.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Captain Wanindu Hasaranga was seen exchanging words with the umpires.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"We played good cricket in the first two games," Hasaranga said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Credit goes to our bowlers and the batters".<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Fighting to the end, Kamindu Mendis hit a six off the last ball of the innings, but it was not enough and Sri Lanka fell short by three runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Mendis was unbeaten on 65 off 39 balls, with seven fours and two sixes, achieving his maiden half-century in T20 cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

On a pitch tailor-made for batting, giving little room for error for the bowlers, Sri Lanka's openers gave them a rousing start adding 64 runs in 35 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The partnership was broken when Kusal Mendis attempted a boundary on the off-side but failed to clear the extra cover fielder where Sharafuddin Ashraf back-peddled and took a good catch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In the process, the fielder banged his head onto the turf.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Ashraf was replaced as the concussion substitute rule came into effect and leg-spinner Qais Ahmad took his place.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Afghanistan took two wickets in three balls when Noor Ahmad trapped Kusal Perera leg before wicket for a duck.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Pathum Nissanka posted his tenth T20 half-century, off 27 balls, but soon after hurt his hamstring and his movements were restricted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He moved to 60 with a six off Noor Ahmad and retired soon afterwards. He faced 30 balls and hit eight fours and two sixes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Afghanistan's big total was thanks to the efforts of their openers, posting 88 runs off 44 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Rahmanullah Gurbaz went onto make 70 after being dropped twice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I was under pressure but I tried to go in today and play my natural game," Gurbaz said. "I took responsibility and I think that was the reason."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also Read: <\/b> Join Our WhatsApp Channel For World Cup Updates<\/a><\/p>

Sri Lanka battled back with Matheesha Pathirana claiming two wickets in two balls, but it was not enough to stop Afghanistan from scoring over 200 runs.<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Afghanistan-vs-Sri-Lanka-Third-T20I.jpg", "alt_img": "Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Third T20I", "alt_title": "Afghanistan win three-run thriller, but Sri Lanka take T20 series", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Afghanistan Beat Sri Lanka By 3 Runs In Third T20I On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Afghanistan salvaged some pride on Wednesday when they secured a nail-biting three-run win over hosts Sri Lanka in the third T20 international, the last game of their multi-format tour. ", "seo_keywords": " Afghanistan Vs Sri Lanka", "tag": null, "tagging": " Afghanistan Vs Sri Lanka", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "afghanistan-beat-sri-lanka-by-3-runs-in-third-t20i", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "1", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1155", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-02-22 08:08:26", "updated": "2024-02-22 08:08:26", "img_from": "Image Source: Google", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Afghanistan Vs Sri Lanka Third T20I", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "1", "jio_date": "2024-02-22 08:08:26", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": "Select", "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/afghanistan-beat-sri-lanka-by-3-runs-in-third-t20i-138764" }