HAMBANTOTA: Dushmantha Chameera-led Sri Lanka’s bowling attack decimated Afghanistan’s batting lineup before openers powered them to blow away Afghanistan in the third ODI and seal the series 2-1.
In the decisive final ODI of the three-match series, Afghanistan batters struggled against a ruthless bowling attack by Sri Lanka after their skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi opted to bat as the coin flipped in his favour.
The visitors had a dismal start to their innings as they lost their first wicket in the second over with Rahmanullah Gurbaz being the first to walk after, scoring a mere eight.
Afghanistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as their batters appeared hapless against Sri Lankan bowlers and soon bundled out for a meagre 116 in the 23rd over.
Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi remained the top-scorer for Afghanistan in their dismal show with the bat, scoring a run-a-ball 23 while opener Ibrahim Zadran (22) and Gulbadin Naib (20) were the other notable run-getters.
Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka for his sensational figures of 4/63, followed by Wanindu Hasaranga’s 3/7.
Lahiru Kumara bagged two wickets for Sri Lanka while Maheesh Theekshana made one scalp.
Set to chase a mere 117, Sri Lankan openers made it an easy affair, courtesy of their brilliant 84-run partnership.
Pathum Nissanka was the core aggressor of the match-defining stand as he struck 51 off just 34 deliveries, laced up with eight boundaries and two sixes before Gulbadin Naib trapped him plumb in the 11th over.
Meanwhile, Dimuth Karunaratne then put on an unbeaten partnership with Kusal Mendis and completed a thumping victory for their side with 204 balls to spare.
Karunaratne top-scored for Sri Lanka with a 45-ball 56 which featured seven boundaries.
Whereas, Mendis batted sensibly for his 17-ball 11 and hit a boundary.
Naib remained the only bowler to pick up a wicket for Afghanistan while the rest went wicketless.