SL vs AFG 3RD ODI: Ibrahim’s Epic 162 Runs Put Lankans in Trouble

SL vs AFG 3RD ODI: Ibrahim’s Epic 162 Runs 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.

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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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

Afghanistan Innings

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.

Finally, Ibrahim Zadran smashed 162 runs, and has become the highest scorer of Afghanistan in this format of cricket. His epic 162 came off a mere 138 balls, including 15 fours and 4 sixes. The second highest now of Mohammad Shahzad’s unbeaten 131 against Zimbabwe in 2015.

He has scored 433 runs in 8 ODIs, with the average of 61.85. Moreover, he now has hundreds in three of his last five ODI matches. Notably, Afghanistan had already qualified for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 to be played in India with the first ODI win of this three-ODI series. 

Now that Afghanistan could score 313 runs for the loss of 8 wickets, with brilliant innings of Ibrahim Zadran and Najibullah Zadran, which is Afghanistan’s third highest ODI total, Afghanistan looks forward for a rare series win.

Sri Lanka Innings

As per the latest update, Sri Lanka has scored 243 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 41.4 overs.

Pathum Nissanka was out at 35. Kusal Mendis tried hard and contributed to Sri Lankan score with his 67 run batting. Dinesh Chandimal was out after scoring 33. Dhanajaya de Silva could add to the SL score only 5 runs. Dashun Shanaka was out at 43. Charith Asalanka is not out at 49.

The 6th wicket has fallen in the form of Wanindu Hasaranga, who was out at 2. Charith Asalanka is not out at 60. Now Sri Lanka is 258 for 6.

The score has moved to 274/6, in 46 overs. Charith Asalanka (73) is at the crease with Dunith Wellalage (3).

Splendid performance by Charith Asalanka (83) and Dunith Wellalage (31), as they could manage the game very well and without losing any further wicket could achieve the target of 314 losing 6 wickets in 49.

Out of the 6 wickets down, 4 wickets were claimed by Rashid Khan. Two wickets gone to Mohammad Nabi.

Finally, the Sri Lanka won the match by 4 wickets. The Sri Lanka score was 314/6 in 49.4 overs.