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Ibrahim Zadran played a blistering innings of 162 runs in the third ODI between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan but his monumental effort went in vain as Charith Asalanka's pyrotechnics propelled the Islanders to a thrilling four-wicket win with just two balls to spare. Sri Lanka chased down a target of 314 runs, courtesy of Asalanka's 83 not out off 72 balls and leveled the series 1-1. The first match of this series was won by Afghanistan and the second match was a No Result (NR).
Earlier, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided to bat first. Ibrahim Zadran looked in ominous form from the onset and shared a 154-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Najibullah Zadran after the visitors lost three wickets at the top for 57 runs. As a result of that partnership, Afghanistan managed to score 313/8 in 50 overs. Najibullah scored 77 runs in 76 balls with the help of one six and eight fours. At the same time, Ibrahim scored the third century of his ODI career with the help of 15 fours and four sixes in 138 balls. Kasun Rajitha was the pick of all Sri Lankan bowlers as he finished with three wickets.
While chasing a mammoth target of 314 runs, Sri Lanka was given a strong start by its openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis as the dup combined for 101 runs. This partnership also served as the foundation of victory for Sri Lanka. While Nissanka managed to score 35 runs in 55 balls with three fours, Kushal Mendis scored 67 runs in 61 balls with 8 fours and one six. Asalanka, who came out to at No.5, made sure that the foundation laid by openers doesn't go in vain.
He played an unbeaten match-winning inning of 83 runs in 72 balls with five fours and four sixes and got Sri Lanka to achieve the target of 314 runs in 49.4 overs two balls. Rashid Khan was the pick of all Afghanistan bowlers as he finished with four wickets.
