(Cricket News) In the third and final ODI in Pallekele, Sri Lanka easily defeated a potentially difficult target of 267, needing just 35.2 overs to accomplish the feat. This sealed a 3-0 rout for the series. Pathum Nissanka scored 346 runs, his second century in three games, to become the highest run scorer in a three-match series for Sri Lanka. He also became the fastest Sri Lankan to reach 2000 ODI runs, doing so in 53 games, 11 fewer than Upul Tharanga’s next fastest.

However, for a large portion of his innings, Nissanka remained in the background as Avishka Fernando, with a belligerent 66-ball 91, broke the back of the chase. Having given up his usual early opportunity, an inside edge on 10 that Ikram Alikhil not only could not hold onto, but also ended up breaking his finger and being out of the game completely, Avishka went on to punish the Afghans with an innings that featured 10 fours and five sixes.

After his dismissal, Sri Lanka amassed 173 runs, their second opening stand of the series (after 150 was reached by Nissanka and Kusal Mendis). Their stand of 78 came off just 55 deliveries, but neither batsman was able to see the chase through to the finish, falling in quick succession. Afghanistan did themselves few favors, straying short of a length for four of those five sixes as Avishka disdainfully picked them up over the leg side.

The honor went to Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who easily scored the final 14 runs as Sri Lanka won with 88 balls remaining. Meanwhile, Afghanistan will be kicking themselves for a squandered chance, losing 6 for 43 at the end and being bowled out for 266 despite fifty-three runs from Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai and a blistering start from Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Following the conclusion of the series, Sri Lanka brought in Dunith Wellalage and Akila Dananjaya in place of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. Despite the surface being drier than usual, the two demonstrated their ability as deputies, scoring 2 for 38 and 2 for 54, respectively. Asitha Fernando also claimed a pair, with Pramod Madushan emerging as the most successful bowler with 3 for 45 in a well-rounded performance from the hosts.

Overall, it was a frustrating performance for the Afghan batsmen, who failed to capitalize on a string of encouraging starts. Afghanistan appeared to be on the verge of redeeming themselves for their dismal batting display in the previous game when Gurbaz hit Madushanka for four straight boundaries in the opening over of the encounter. However, Sri Lanka successfully contained the visitors, allowing just 65 runs in the opening powerplay.

The bowlers were also helped by some good ground fielding, exemplified by Avishka’s excellent pick-up and throw to run out Ibrahim Zadran – Asalanka’s slip in the slips the very next ball off Gurbaz was an uncommon error in the field.

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi had spoken before the match about the need to put on more partnerships, and in this regard Afghanistan delivered; after an opening stand of 39, there were partnerships of 57, 58, and 57 for the second, fourth, and fifth wickets, respectively. Where they faltered, though, was in capitalizing on these platforms.

Even though Gurbaz got off to a quick start, he was unable to maintain his pace of scoring and eventually fell for a laborious 48 off 57 after being bowled around his legs by the opposition.

Shahidi then followed suit, edging a Dananjaya googly to slip. This brought Rahmat and Omarzai together as they attempted to rebuild; between the 20th and 30th overs, they scored just under six runs per over, keeping the pace close to six runs per over. However, just as they might have been looking to accelerate, Rahmat was trapped leg before trying to sweep Wellalage.

Although this did not stop Afghanistan, it did delay any possible period of acceleration. Between the 30th and 40th overs, Omarzai and Ikram Alikhil put on the third fifty-plus stand of the innings.

However, just as Afghanistan was about to step up the ante, Wellalage surprised Alikhil by ripping back in from wide outside off to clip the outside of off stump. From that point on, Sri Lanka gave the opposition very little chance to score, giving away just 42 runs from the 40th over onwards. Madushan, Asitha, and Dananjaya were prominent during this phase, with the two fast bowlers sharing the final five wickets to end the Afghan innings.

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