By Srian Obeyesekere

Sri Lanka fell short of overhauling Afghanistan’s 209 by 3 runs as the changed outlook hosts made 206

for 6 in what was a consolation victory in the third and final T20 international for the visitors, but young Kamindu Mendis at No.6, proved to be a revelation striking an unbeaten top score of 65 off 39 balls inclusive of 7 boundaries and 2 sixes while Pathum Nissanka struck a characteristic cameo 60 off 30 packed with 8 boundaries and 2 sixes before being forced to retire hurt on Wednesday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a defining Player of the Match 43-ball 70 containing 7 boundaries and a six proved to be Afghanistan’s center piece posting 88 for the first wicket off 44 balls together with Hazratullah Zazai who smote 45 off 22 piercing the boundary on 6 occasions and 2 over the top, and when the former was sent back by Lankan skipper Wanindu Hasaranga who had him held by Sadeera Samarawickrama, Afghanistan was sitting pretty on 141 for 3 after 13.45 overs, the cornerstone to throwing a 200-plus challenge to the Lankans whose erratic bowling took a toll conceding as many as 21 sundries by 11 wides and 10 leg byes.

Wanindu Hasaranga took the big awards plum Player of the Series award fr a superb all-round performance.

CHIEF SCORES:

Afghanistan 209/5

(Rahmanullah Gurbaz 70, Hazratullah Zazai 45, Azmatullah Omarzai 31, Mohammad Nabi n.o. 16, Mohammad Ishaq n.o. 16, Ibrahim Zadran 10, Akil Dananjaya 2/37, Matheesha Pathirana 2/42, Wanindu Hasaranga 1/35)

Sri Lanka 206/6 (20 Overs)

(Kamindu Mendis n.o. 65, Pathum Nissanka 60, Sadeera Samarawickrama 23, Kusal Mendis 16, Wanindu Hasaranga 13, Dasun Shanaka 13, Mohammad Nabi 2/35, Qais Ahmad 1/17, Fareed Ahmad 1/30, Noor Ahmad 1/37)