Despite losing the series, the Afghanistan skipper Ibrahim Zadran opens on their victory in the 3rd T20I match on the Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka 2024.
Ibrahim Zadran on victory against Sri Lanka
Afghanistan was scheduled to play a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on a home tour where the hosts won the first two matches of the series.
The visitors were able to secure a victory in the third and final match of the series. Batting first Afghanistan scored 209 runs losing five wickets on 20 overs. Gurbaz was the leading scorer for Afghanistan during the third T20I where he scored 70 runs which included 7 fours and one six.
Other opener Hazratullah Zazai scored 45 runs on 22 deliveries before being sent out on lbw by Dananjaya. Ibrahim Zadran scored 10 runs before being sent out by the same bowler.
Azmatullah scored 31 runs on 23 deliveries and with the scores of Nabi and Mohammad Ishaq, Afghanistan set up a huge target against Sri Lanka.
Matheesha Pathirana and Dananjaya bagged two wickets each through their bowling. With a target of 210, Sri Lanka started their innings where Pathum Nissanaka and Kamindu Mendis were the high scorers for Sri Lanka.
Opening for Sri Lanka Pathum Nissanka scored 60 runs before going to the pavilion on retiring hurt. Kusal Mendis scored 16 runs while Kusal Perera was sent out with a duck.
With the collapse of the middle order, Kamindu Mendis took the stance to score 65* runs on 39 deliveries including 7 boundaries and 2 sixes.
In the last over, Mendis hit two fours in the first and third deliveries. The fourth ball was a waist-high no-ball but Umpire failed to spot it. Momand was set to defend 19 runs in the last over and he eventually handed a victory to his side.
By the end of 20 overs, Sri Lanka scored 206 runs and lost the match with just only three runs.
Afghanistan skipper Ibrahim was delighted about the victory and spoke at the post-match conference.
“Happy with the win, sad that we lost the series. It was a good total today. We wanted to play positive and carry the momentum throughout the game.”
“(On team changes) I think it was tactical, we wanted to give everyone chances ahead of the T20 World Cup. We played well in the first game but lost by a close margin. Today we managed to win so there are a lot of positives to take from this series,” he concluded.
Afghanistan will be playing a one-off test, three-match ODI series, and three-match T20I series starting on February 28 on a home tour.
This will be the last schedule for Afghanistan before the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The home tour ends on March 17 and the players will be heading to play in the Indian Premier League which is set to begin on March 22.
