Afghanistan salvaged some pride on Wednesday with a nail-biting three-run victory against hosts Sri Lanka in the third T20 international. Afghanistan wins a three-run thriller, but Sri Lanka takes T20 series. The Afghans have had a disastrous tour, losing six matches in a row, but skipper Ibrahim Zadran said he was “feeling great” after his squad held their nerve in a thrilling finish with a hard-fought victory. “I’m happy with the victory,” Zadran added.
Afghanistan wins a three-run thriller, but Sri Lanka takes T20 series
“Unfortunately, we lost the series.” Sri Lanka had already sealed the three-match T20 series by winning the first two games by four and 72 runs, respectively. They also won the one-off Test match and the one-day international series with a 3-0 sweep.
Sri Lanka needed 36 runs from the last two overs, and Dasun Shanaka reduced the chase to 24 off eight balls before being run out. That left Sri Lanka needing 19 runs from the final over. However, they could only manage 15, with the game marred by controversy as tensions rose in the final six balls.
Wafadar Momand’s fourth pitch was a high full toss, however the square leg umpire did not call a no ball despite the batters’ objections. Captain Wanindu Hasaranga was spotted conversing with the umpires. “We played good cricket in the first two games,” Hasaranga said. “Credit goes to our bowlers and the batters” . Fighting to the end, Kamindu Mendis smashed a six off the final ball of the
