The third T20I of the series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan came to a controversial end. In the final over, square leg umpire Lyndon Hannibal did not signal a no-ball even when the ball was at the shoulder height of Sri Lankan batter Kamindu Mendis. No run was scored of what looked like a clear beamer. Mendis was slightly bent but it was well above the waist height. As a result, Afghanistan won by three runs in a last-over thriller to avoid a series whitewash.
Openers set the tone
Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran won the toss and opted to bat first in Dambulla. Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz went after the bowlers in the powerplay overs. Gurbaz was given an early reprieve as his catch was dropped in the fifth over. After powerplay overs, they were 72 for no loss. Akila Dananjaya got the breakthrough. Zazai was dismissed lbw. He scored 45 runs from 22 balls including six fours and a couple of sixes in the 88-run partnership.
Afghanistan finish well
Gurbaz reached his half-century from 28 balls. Dananjaya struck again to dismiss Zadran. Gurbaz's catch was dropped in the 12th over but he could not make the most of it. He fell to Sri Lankan skipper Wanindu Hasaranga. He scored 70 runs from 43 balls including seven fours and three sixes. Azmatullah Omarzai contributed with a 23-ball 31. In the penultimate over, Matheesha Pathirana dismissed Omarzai and Karim Janat off consecutive deliveries. Cameos from Mohammad Ishaq and Mohammad Nabi helped Afghanistan post 209/5.
Good start to the run chase
Sri Lanka got off to a decent start as well. Pathum Nissanka did the most damage in the powerplay overs. Fareed Ahmad got the breakthrough with Kusal Mendis' wicket in the sixth over. He scored 16 runs from 13 balls. In the next over, Noor Ahmad dismissed Kusal Perera for a two-ball duck. Nissanka got retired hurt after injuring his hamstring. He scored 60 runs from 30 balls including eight fours and a couple of sixes. The Hasaranga fell to Nabi in the 10th over.
Kamindu lacks support
Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kamindu kept Sri Lanka in the hunt. In the 15th over, concussion replacement Qais Ahmad got the wicket of Samarawickrama who scored 23 runs from 12 balls. In his last over, Nabi sent Angelo Mathews back to the dressing room. Kamindu continued to hit big. Dasun Shanaka got going in the penultimate over but got run out. In the final over, Sri Lanka needed 19 runs. Kamindu hit two fours off the first three deliveries. On the fourth ball, Wafadar Momand bowled a beamer which was not signalled no-ball. Frustrated by the call, he even called for a review which wasn't available. Momand followed it up with a wide and dot ball. On the last ball, Kamindu hit a six but Afghanistan won by three runs. Kamindu remained unbeaten for 65 off 39 balls.
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