Dasun Shanaka Powers Sri Lanka To A Thrilling 4-Wicket Win Against Australia

SL vs AUS 3rd T20I: Dasun Shanaka smashed 59 runs in the last 3 overs with Karunaratne for an unlikely win against the World T20 Champions.

Cricket Image for Dasun Shanaka Powers Sri Lanka To A Thrilling 4-Wicket Win Against Australia (Image Source: Google)

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka played a smashing knock as he powered his team to a thrilling last-over win by 5 wickets against Australia in the last T20I. The tourists were in control for the majority part of the match, but Dasun Shanaka exploded in the dying moments and took his team to a consolation win, ending the series with a scoreline of 1-2. 

Sri Lankans were almost out of the game till the 17th over of their innings, but Dasun Shanaka started fireworks in the 18th over, when his team required 59 runs to win off the last 3 overs. The most successful bowler of the series, Josh Hazlewood, who had given just 3 runs in 3 overs with 2 wickets and a maiden, was smacked for two sixes and two fours by Shanaka, conceding 22 runs off the 18th over of the Lankan batting. 

With 37 required off the last two overs, Jhye Richardson was taken for 18 runs in the 19th over, and Kane Richardson failed to defend 19 runs off the last over as Shanaka alongwith Karunaratne took their team to victory on the last delivery, which was called a wide. 

Shanaka remained unbeaten on 54 runs off 25 deliveries with 5 fours & 4 sixes and was the top scorer for his team. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood and Marcus Stoinis picked up 2 wickets each while Jhye Richardson and Ashton Agar picked up 1 wicket each. 

In the first innings, the Australian team managed to post 176/5 in 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the 3rd T20I despite quick wickets in the middle. 

David Warner was the top scorer with 39 runs off 33 deliveries, while Marcus Stoinis followed with a 23-ball-38. Steve Smith scored 37 runs off 27 balls after Australia lost successive wickets in the 11th over. 

Maheesh Theekshana picked up 2 wickets while Wanindu Hasaranga & Praveen Jayawickrama picked up 1 wicket each. The Sri Lankan pacers remained wicketless. 

Earlier, Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss & opted to bat first against Australia in the 3rd T20I. This match was played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele.

Brief Score:

Australia - 176/5 (Warner - 39(33), Theekshana - 2/25)

Sri Lanka - 177/6 in 19.5 overs (Shanaka - 54*(25), Stoinis - 2/8)