Sri Lanka thrash Afghanistan to clinch ODI series

Sri Lanka have sealed the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan 2 - 1, after winning the third and final match by a significant margin of nine wickets in just 16 overs.

The Lions truly delivered their best in this must-win match today (07 June), after both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan won one match each in the series.
 

The hosts breezed through the game after Afghanistan were bowled out for 116 runs in 22.2 overs by the Lankans today, with Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasaranga displaying stellar bowling in the first innings of the game, not leaving any room for the visitors to fight back.

Opening pair Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka put up a strong partnership, sealing the deal with both of them scoring their ODI half-tons each.

Albeit Nissanka being struck out of the game for an LBW in the 10th over, he managed to score a total of 51 runs under his wing, with Karunaratne securing 56 runs and remaining unbeaten.

Karunaratne smashed a four in the fifth ball of the 16th over, taking the Lions across the 117-run target they needed, winning the game for Sri Lanka with 120 runs for the loss of one wicket.

Apart from the fact that they just did not have enough runs up on the board, Afghanistan did not put up much of a fight either, disappointing with both the bat and the ball.

Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera  was named both ‘Man of the Match’ and ‘Man of the Series’ after an incredible showcasing of his bowling in both this match and the 2nd ODI played on 04 June.

Chameera returned to the pitch for the first time since suffering an injury in Australia in October 2022, during the T20 World Cup.