Sri Lanka ‘A’ Team registered a 4-wicket win over Afghanistan ‘A’ Team in the third Unofficial ODI of the five-match series played today (3rd May) at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. With this win, the hosts take an unassailable 3-0 lead to clinch the series.
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a shaky start as seamer Mohamed Shiraz ripped through the top order, dismissing the first 3 wickets inside the powerplay. Sri Lanka managed to maintain impeccable discipline with the ball as they continued to take wickets at regular intervals. The visitors were eventually bowled out for just 185. The speedster Mohamed Shiraz stole the limelight with the ball for the hosts, claiming 3 wickets for 31 runs.
>>Afghanistan ‘A’ tour of Sri Lanka 2024 – 3rd One Day – Match Report<<
In the chase, Sri Lanka faced an early setback, losing two quick wickets in the first 3 overs. The opening batter Nishan Madushka and No. 4 batter Pasindu Sooriyabandara steadied the ship to a certain extent, adding a 33-run stand for the 3rd wicket. Sri Lanka managed to take a firm grip on the game thanks to the partnership between Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha, who added vital 83 runs for the fifth wicket. Sooriyabandara was the hero with the bat for the hosts as he made an unbeaten 84 runs off 109 balls with 9 fours to take his side home.
>>Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad announced for first two ODIs vs Afghanistan ‘A’<<
Sri Lanka ‘A’ will take on Afghanistan ‘A’ in the fourth One Day encounter on the 5th of May at the same venue.
Brief Scores
Afghanistan ‘A’ – 185 (41.2) Zia-ur-Rehman 36, Darwish Rasooli 25, Shahidullah 23, Mohamed Shiraz 3/31, Sonal Dinusha 2/29, Dushan Hemantha 2/29
Sri Lanka ‘A’ – 186/6 (37.3) Pasindu Sooriyabandara 84*, Sonal Dinusha 35, Nishan Madushka 20, Mohammad Saleem 3/32, Bilal Sami 2/43
Result – Sri Lanka ‘A’ won by 4 wickets
 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. With this win, the hosts take an unassailable 3-0 lead to clinch the series.){kind=link}