Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI at Kandy, SL v AFG, Feb 14 2024 - Ball by Ball Commentary

So we wrap up with the ODI leg of the tour, which also goes Sri Lanka's way after their win in the one-off Test. They take the series 3-0, and Afghanistan take home the little periods of fight and determination - like turning 55 for 5 to 339 for 6 in the first ODI. Madushka's report for the day is up, in case you missed any of the action, as this is Himanshu signing off on behalf of Fidel, Chandan and Vairavan! Good night!

Kusal Mendis, the series-winning captain: "I'm really happy we won, and to do it without Maheesh and Wanindu was great. Akila Dananjaya and Dunith Wellalage were excellent and gave me confidence that we had bench strength. We've played this series on good pitches, and I'm happy about that. The next World Cup is in South Africa and we've got a few years before that, but this is the start of our preparation. Right through this series we've had batters in form, and they did well. I'm really thankful to the crowd who came to support us, and to the curators and those who worked on the pitch. We got the surfaces that we wanted."

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghanistan captain: "The result didn't go our way. Sri Lanka played really good cricket in all three departments, so credit goes to them. We didn't have enough runs. The bowlers also didn't bowl according to the plan. They (Rashid and Mujeeb) are the main bowlers of the team. If they were with us, it would have been better. I'll not be a part of the T20I series; I wish best of luck to the team. Hopefully our team does come back in that series."

Pathum Nissanka is the Player of the Match and the Player of the Series: "I had no idea about getting to 2000 the fastest of any Sri Lanka batter. I'm really thankful to my father who was my first coach. We got a good wicket to bat on, and we got a good start through Avishka and myself, so we just continued in that vein."

Time for the presentations

Joe: "Nissanka will get POTM, and POTS as well" --- No prizes for guessing

Mark: "This is brutally one-sided. Afghanistan have some issues to address."

9.18pm A crushing way to complete a commanding 3-0 series sweep. A whole lot of 88 deliveries remain, as the chase of 267 is wrapped up at a run rate of more than seven runs an over. While Avishka, with 91 off 66 balls, was aggressive, Nissanka was more nimble at the beginning; but as the pair spent more and more time, even Nissanka drove and swiped his way to 118 from 101 deliveries. An effortless victory, giving the feeling that nothing was impossible had they been batting first. Hang around for the presentations.

Ran: "Nabi has bowled well despite the carnage at the opposite end. Afghans will be tougher opposition with Rashid and Mujeeb"

From over the wicket to Sadeera

Two slips in place. Nabi from around.

Asalanka

Sadeera at No. 4. A slip in place.

Qais back