SL vs AFG 3RD ODI: Ibrahim & Najibullah Zadran put Lankans in trouble: Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are facing each other in a three-match ODI series. Notably, Afghanistan was out of the T20 World Cup. Since then, this is the first face of between the two teams. Hashmatullah Shahidi led Afghanistan team reached Sri Lanka on November 22. The 1st ODI between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan (SL vs AFG) was played on November 25. Further, all the three ODIs will be played in Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and this three-match ODI series will be a part of the ICC ODI Super League 2023. Dasun Shanaka will lead the home side, as Afghan team is visiting the island nation.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 30, 2:30 pm IST
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
LIVE Telecast: Sony Sports
Live Streaming: SonyLIV
Some interesting encounters were seen between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in the recent past. In the 2022 Asia Cup, Afghanistan easily defeated Sri Lanka. But, to their surprise, Sri Lanka induced a comeback during the Super four encounter against the Afghanistan defeating them. The two sides again met in the T20 World Cup where Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan again.
The 2nd ODI was ABANDONED. Sri Lanka was not happy, as to directly qualify for the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2023 they would now need to win almost every game. Notably, Afghanistan, after choosing to bat first, had a decent start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah got half-centuries and added 113 runs to the score. But batting collapsed after they were out in quick succession. However, Nabi tried well to recover and played a significant role in Afghanistan reaching 228 runs. The match saw brilliant bowling by Lankan bowlers in the middle overs, as they tightened the noose on Afghanistan and did not allow Afghans to settle. Kasun Rajitha took with three wickets. Sri Lankans would have thought of reaching the target, but the weather was not in their favor and they could only play 2.4 overs. The game was called off. The calling off of the 2nd ODI hurt the Sri Lankans as they will now have to try levelling the series.
The final ODI of the three-match ODI series is being played today, November 30, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
SL vs AFG 3RD ODI: Afghanistan Won the Toss and Decided to Bat
Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat. Sri Lanka trails 1-0 in the series. The all clear weather and the strong innings by Ibrahim and Najibullah Zadran have created troubles for Sri Lankans in this match, as they will have to put all efforts to win this match. Sri Lanka is trailing the three-match series 1-0 as Afghanistan registered incredible 60-run victory in the first match, and as mentioned earlier the second ODI was called off due to heavy rain.
SL vs AFG 3RD ODI Teams
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha
SL vs AFG 3RD ODI: Scorecard
At present, Afghanistan has scored 251 for the loss of 5 wickets, in 25 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was out scoring 5 runs. Rahmat Shah was out on 22 runs. Hashmatullah Shahidi could add 4 runs to the score. Najibullah Zadran (77 runs) was the fourth wicket for Sri Lankans. He added 77 important runs to the score of Afghanistan. Mohammad Nabi (12) is out now. His wicket has been taken by Hasaranga. Ibrahim Zadran (121 runs, with 104% strike rate) and Gulbadin Naib (4) are at the crease.
Kasun Rajitha and Vanindu Hasaranga claimed 2 wickets each, and Dhanajay de Silva got 1 wicket.