Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, AFG in SL, 3 T20Is, 2024 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! THAT'S IT! All over for Afghanistan! Matheesha Pathirana finishes things off! Bowls it on a length, outside off, Fazalhaq Farooqi backs away and shapes up to go up and over on the off side. He fails to get the desired connection as the ball comes off the bottom half of the bat and lobs towards cover. Dasun Shanaka stationed there, times the jump to perfection and takes it over his head to his left. Sri Lanka win by 72 runs and have sealed the series!

Goes for the yorker again but it comes out as a low full toss, on leg, Fazalhaq Farooqi swings and gets an inside edge that goes behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Lands it full at pace, on off, Fazalhaq Farooqi stays leg side of the ball and covers the line of the ball to stab it down the wicket.

Sprays it down leg again on a fullish length, Wided again.

WIDE! Goes for the yorker again but slips it down leg for wide.

OUT! CASTLED! Matheesha Pathirana has done what he does best! He goes through the defence of Naveen-ul-Haq and Sri Lanka are now a wicket away from sealing the series. Angles it in, on middle and leg stump line, on a fullish length. Naveen-ul-Haq does get his bat down in time but the ball tails back in to go past the inside edge and rattles into the leg stump.

Half a shout for LBW but there looked to be bat involved. Goes full and straight, at the stumps, Noor Ahmad hurriedly brings his bat down to keep it out on the leg side. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and they cross as the ball rolls to the off side. Pathirana does not spot the inside edge and Sri Lanka want to try their luck with the review. The UltraEdge shows that there is bat involved.

Starts from over the wicket and hurls it at 146 clicks, on a length, on off, Noor Ahmad pushes it back to the bowler.

Sliding onto the pads, on a nagging length, Noor Ahmad plays it off his pads to deep square leg and settles with a single.

Slows it up and bowls the googly, on middle, Noor Ahmad goes on the back foot to nudge it across but gets a soft leading edge that rolls to cover.

Turning in, short and on off, Naveen-ul-Haq chops it almost off the stumps to the left of short third man for a single.

Tosses it up and gets it to turn away, full and on middle, Naveen-ul-Haq gets his bat out in front to keep it out.

Quicker and shorter, on middle and leg, tucked from the crease to mid-wicket.

On a nagging length, on middle, Noor Ahmad clears his front leg and swipes it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Nails the yorker from over the wicket at 105 clicks, on off, Naveen-ul-Haq is equal to the task as he gets his bat down in time and digs it out on the off side.

WIDE! Sprays it down leg, on a fuller length, Naveen-ul-Haq misses the tickle and it is called a wide.

This one spins back in, on a short length, on off, Naveen-ul-Haq picks it and pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Nicely done! Flatter and shorter, on off, Naveen-ul-Haq waits on it and dabs it late behind square on the off side. He manages to beat the deep backward point fielder to his left for a boundary.

This is short and on off and middle, Noor Ahmad hangs back and nudges it through the vacant mid-wicket region for a single.

On a fullish length, at the stumps, Noor Ahmad knocks it back to the bowler.

Pushes it through, on a length, outside off, Noor Ahmad plays for the turn but this keeps straight and goes past the bat.

Floats it up and gets it to turn back in, on a nagging length, Naveen-ul-Haq presses forward and gets an inside edge onto the pads as he looks to defend.

Drops it short and turning in, on leg, Naveen-ul-Haq glances it down to short fine leg.

Naveen-ul-Haq comes in to bat now.

OUT! Just like that Afghanistan are 8 down now. Short of a length outside off, turning away from the batter, Karim Janat moves to his leg and looks to loft this over cover but finds the fielder. Dasun Shanaka dives in front with the ball dropping down on him and pouches a stunner.

Wrong'un in middle, Noor Ahmad goes deep in his crease and tucks it towards the leg side for one.

Noor Ahmad is the new batter.

OUT! CLEANED'EM! Leggie around off, Najibullah Zadran looks for the slog sweep but misses out completely and the ball goes on and breaks the stumps. 100th T20I wicket for Wanindu Hasaranga and he is the second fastest to reach the landmark.

Quicker and fuller outside off, Najibullah Zadran looks to cut this one but gets beaten.

Tossed up on the pads, Najibullah Zadran flicks this towards the leg side for another single.

Quicker and fuller on off, Karim Janat rolls it towards long off for a single.

SIX! WOAH! That has gone many a miles. Fuller on middle and leg, Karim Janat picks it up and slog sweeps this over the fence and into the stands towards deep mid-wicket region for a maximum.

Halt! Maheesh Theekshana has copped a blow just above his right wrist and looks in pain. He needs medical attention and the physio is out to attend to him. Theekshana is fine to continue.

Attempted flicker goes wrong and lands as a full toss to the batter, Karim Janat hammers it back towards the bowler and hits his wrists. In an attempt to make the stop, Maheesh Theekshana has done some damage to his bowling hand.

Full toss in middle, Karim Janat could have hit this anywhere he wanted but he decides to push this back at the bowler.

Tossed up on the pads, Najibullah Zadran flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Another slower one, on off, Karim Janat slogs this in between the gap on the leg side towards deep mid-wicket region for four.

Fuller one around middle and leg, Najibullah Zadran flicks it to deep square for a single.

Slower one around off, Karim Janat drives this through extra-cover towards wide long off for a single.

WIDE! Way too wide of the batter's reach, Karim Janat leaves it.

Good length in middle, Karim Janat pushes this to long off and takes a couple.

Short and wide outside off, Najibullah Zadran cuts this towards third man region for a single.

Good length in middle, Karim Janat defends this towards the leg side and takes a single.

Short-pitched in middle, Najibullah Zadran defends this off the back foot.

Well-directed bumper in middle, Najibullah Zadran ducks down on this. This was darted in with some venom from Matheesha Pathirana.

Back of a length around leg, Karim Janat gloves this towards a very fine, fine leg for a single.

WIDE! Fuller one wide down leg, Karim Janat misses the flick.

Short-pitched outside off, Najibullah Zadran dabs this to deep third for a comfortable single.

WIDE! Full and wide outside off, harsh on the bowler to call that wide.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Najibullah Zadran uses the pace of Matheesha Pathirana and punches this through backward point for four.

Good length wide of off, Najibullah Zadran pokes at it but gets beaten.

TWO WIDES! Full toss wide down leg, Karim Janat leaves it. The ball was flying past the keeper but Kusal Mendis did well to take the sting out of it and give away just a single.

Angling away, on a good length, on off, Najibullah Zadran chops it down on the off side from the crease.

Takes pace off and bowls it on a length, outside off, Najibullah Zadran goes after it but gets an outside edge that goes to the left of short third man. Binura Fernando tumbles to that side and makes the stop.

Bends his back and bangs it in short, on off, Najibullah Zadran ducks and lets it go.

Short and wide on off, cut away hard by Najibullah Zadran but straight to backward point.

Najibullah Zadran walks out next.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Dasun Shanaka gets his man! Mohammad Nabi goes and with him go down Afghanistan's hopes. On a length, outside off, Mohammad Nabi stays put and swings to go back over the bowler's head. He only manages to get an outside edge that travels quickly to the right of the keeper. Kusal Mendis reacts well and takes a sharp catch. Dasun Shanaka gets in on the wickets column and Afghanistan slip further.

SIX! BANG! Dasun Shanaka starts off with a loosener, on a back of a length, outside off, Mohammad Nabi gets it at a good height and hammers it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Sliding onto the pads, on a nagging length, Karim Janat places it in front of deep mid-wicket and collects a couple of runs more.

Short and turning into the pads, Karim Janat glances it away off his pads but straight to short mid-wicket.

Googly again, short and on middle, Karim Janat works it to mid-wicket.

Floats it up again, full and on middle, Mohammad Nabi drills it hard to the right of the bowler and Matheesha Pathirana tides it up at long to keep it to a single.

Tosses it up, full and on off, Mohammad Nabi strokes it to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs.

SIX! Thumped down the ground! Wanindu Hasaranga dishes out the googly but this is a bit too full, on off, Mohammad Nabi gives himself room and tonks it over long off for a maximum. Afghanistan need more of these.

On a length, around off, driven striaght to extra cover by Karim Janat.

DROPPED! Maheesh Theekshana puts it down! Mohammad Nabi must be thanking his stars. Matheesha Pathirana rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on a length, on off, Mohammad Nabi is through his shot early as he looks to go back over the bowler's head. It goes high in the night sky and Maheesh Theekshana at mid off, takes a few steps across to his right. He opts to take it with his fingers pointing downwards it but the ball pops out of his grasp. They cross.

FOUR! Picked the gap nicely! Pathirana hurls it fuller in length, on off, Mohammad Nabi clears his front leg and cracks the drive between cover and mid off. Matheesha Pathirana at mid off, puts in a dive to his left but in vain. The 50 comes up for Afghanistan.

Attacks the stumps with a good-length delivery, Karim Janat gets behind the line and taps it to the right of mid on for a single.

Play and a miss! On a back of a length, outside off, Karim Janat has a waft away from the body and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Starts from over the wicket and angling in, on a length, on leg, Mohammad Nabi stays leg side of the ball and swings across the line. Gets it off the inner half of the bat to deep backward square leg for a single.

Matheesha Pathirana comes into the attack now.

Pushes it through, flatter and on a nagging length, at the batter, Mohammad Nabi drives it along the ground to long on and retains the strike.

Short and turning into the pads, clipped to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Continues to bowl short and on middle, Mohammad Nabi goes on the back foot and eases it down to long on to pick up a single.

Slanting in again, short and on middle, Mohammad Nabi nudges it to mid-wicket.

Keeps it short and on middle, Mohammad Nabi punches it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

A direct hit and Karim Janat was gone for all money! Serves it short and around off, Karim Janat rocks back and punches it wide of extra cover. The fielder at long off runs around to his left and releases the throw quickly. Maheesh Theekshana waits near the stumps and sees if the ball hits the stumps instead of collecting the throw. Janat was gone had the throw hit or even if the bowler, Theekshana had collected it and taken the bails off.

It is the googly again, short and on middle, Karim Janat reads it and knocks it down to long on for a single. At the end of the Powerplay, Afghanistan are 40/5.

Sees the batter advance and slips in a googly, short and at the stumps, Karim Janat adjusts well and dabs it to point.

Slower through the air, full and on the pads, Mohammad Nabi nudges it wide of mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Tosses it up, full and on middle, Mohammad Nabi prods forward to keep it out down the wicket.

This is short again and on middle, Mohammad Nabi punches it to the right of long on where the fielder fumbles and concedes an extra run.

A big, big shout for caught behind but turned down! Wanindu Hasaranga has a word with the keeper and decides against the review. Starts off on a short length, turning down leg, Mohammad Nabi looks to help it away but misses. Kusal Mendis gathers it to his left and appeals but nothing doing says the umpire.

Short-pitched on off, Karim Janat dabs it down for no run.

FOUR! Tucked away for four. On a length around the pads, Karim Janat flicks it though the vacant backward square leg region for four.

Good length around middle and off, Karim Janat scuffs it from the inside half of his bat to the leg side.

WIDE! On a length way too wide of off, Karim Janat Shoulders arms it.

Karim Janat comes out to the middle now.

OUT! This right here might well be the game done and dusted for Afghanistan. On a length going across the batter, Azmatullah Omarzai looks to hit this away from his body, gets an inside edge onto the off-pole. Azmatullah Omarzai departs on a golden duck

Good length around off, Mohammad Nabi pushes this towards point and takes a single.

Mohammad Nabi makes his way out to the centre with Afghanistan in early trouble.

OUT! Afghanistan falling apart in this big chase. Slower one, fingers rolled over it around off, Gulbadin Naib looks to clear mid on but lofts this straight to Wanindu Hasaranga at mid on and departs.

Azmatullah Omarzai is the new man in.

OUT! TRAPPED PLUMB IN FRONT! Fuller around middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffled to his leg looking for the sweep but the ball sneaks past his bat and hits his front pad. Loud appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Rahmanullah Gurbaz asks for a review. Nothing on UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking suggests three reds hence the on-field decision stays.

FOUR! Tossed up on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves to his leg and creates a bit of room as he drives this through extra-cover for four.

Flicker in middle, Gulbadin Naib flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker and flatter outside off, Gulbadin Naib looks for the cut but misses.

IN THE AIR AND FALLS SAFE! Tossed up in middle, Gulbadin Naib lofts this half-heartedly marginally in front of long on. Sadeera Samarawickrama did give it a good attempt but he ended up pulling out on the catch and saving the boundary with his body on the line.

Fuller on off, Gulbadin Naib goes back and defends it.

TWO WIDES! Starts with a wide down leg, and the keeper spills this too as the batters take a run as well.

Maheesh Theekshana comes on to bowl now.

On a length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles to his off, pushes this towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Good length in middle, Gulbadin Naib tucks it towards square leg and takes a single.

Off-cutter outside off, Gulbadin Naib plays the square cut but finds the fielder at point for no run.

Good length in middle, Gulbadin Naib defends this solidly to start off.

Gulbadin Naib walks out to bat now.

OUT! Angelo can not do anything wrong today. Runs with the bat and now has wickets to his name. On a length around off, was there to be hit. Ibrahim Zadran gets it off the cue end towards Maheesh Theekshana at mid off. Maheesh Theekshana takes a good catch to remove Ibrahim Zadran from the middle.

On a length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drills this straight down the ground onto the stumps at the other end. The ball breaks the stumps and deflects to mid on with the batters taking a single.

Good length on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz taps this to the left of backward point and takes a quick single. Productive over for Afghanistan.

FOUR! Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets going now. On a length in middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz presents the full face of his bat and lofts this up and over the umpire for a boundary straight down the ground.

Good length around middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks it towards deep square for a couple.

Pitched up on pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this to mid on and calls for a single straightaway with Rahmanullah Gurbaz responding well to it.

FOUR! The sound of the leather on the willow tells you about the timing here. On a length outside off, Ibrahim Zadran shimmies down the track and hammers this through cover for a boundary. This flew off his bat.

Good-length delivery around off, Ibrahim Zadran taps this to short third for no run.

It will be Binura Fernando to operate from the other end.

Back of a length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz dabs it to point for no run. A successful over-to-start from Angelo Mathews.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is in at number 3.

OUT! Angelo Mathews draws first blood for the Lankan Lions. On a length, medium pace, shaping away from the left-hander. Hazratullah Zazai pushes at it away from his body, gets an outside edge into the gloves of the keeper for a regulation catch.

On a length around off, Ibrahim Zadran rolls this past the bowler for a single towards mid on.

Good length wide of off, Ibrahim Zadran moves to his leg and looks to drive this through off but fails to get any part of his bat behind this.

FOUR! Easily lofted away for four. Pitched up on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran chips this over the mid on fielder for a boundary.

Starts right on the money. On a length around off, Hazratullah Zazai dabs it for a single.

OUT! HIT-WICKET! Back of a hand slower one, darted halfway by Naveen-ul-Haq. Sadeera Samarawickrama swings at it and misses as the ball rolls to Rahmanullah Gurbaz behind the stumps. Sadeera Samarawickrama though on his follow through hits the leg-pole with his bat and he is adjudged hit-wicket. Sri Lanka managed to score 187 in their quota of 20 overs.

Good length outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama swings hard but misses out.

FOUR! FIFTY! Outstanding batting from Sadeera Samarawickrama as he gets past his maiden T20 half-century for the nation. On a length wide of off, Sadeera Samarawickrama slices this through deep point for four.

Fuller in middle, Angelo Mathews lofts this on the bounce to Nabi at long on for a single.

SIX! Added salt to the wounds of Naveen-ul-Haq as Angelo Mathews goes out of the park again. Pitched up outside off, misses the attempted yorker. Angelo Mathews hangs back and slogs this out of the park straight down the park towards the sight screen.

DROPPED! Nabi drops Angelo Mathews. On a length around off, Angelo Mathews launches this flat towards Mohammad Nabi at long on but he dives in front with hard hands and drops it. The batters scamper back for two.

Who will bowl the final over? It will be Naveen-ul-Haq (3-0-33-0).

WOW! Innovative from Sadeera Samarawickrama for a couple. Fuller around off, Sadeera Samarawickrama moves to his off and scoops it over the keeper looking for a boundary. Karim Janat chased this down to fine leg and keeps it down to a couple with a brilliant effort.  21 runs off the over.

Full and wide of off, Sadeera Samarawickrama rolls it back to the bowler for a precious dot.

Wide yorker outside off, Angelo Mathews lofts this over the bowler towards long off for a single this time.

SIX! Angelo Mathews you beauty! Experience tells off for him and Sri Lanka as he is smacking it all around the park. Short-pitched in middle, Angelo Mathews was waiting on his back foot and he pulled it out of the park over deep mid-wicket fielder for the third maximum on a trot.

SIX! Just like that Angelo Mathews is on fire. Pitched up on the pads, Angelo Mathews flicks it for another maximum. This time over deep square.

SIX! Sri Lanka are turning on the heat in the death overs. On a length in the slot around middle and leg, Angelo Mathews picks it up and flicks it up and over into the stands for a maximum towards deep mid-wicket.

FOUR! Boundary to end the 18th over. On a length outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama looks for the lofted drive but gets a thickish outside edge flying past the short third fielder for a boundary.

Back of a length in middle, Angelo Mathews pushes this to long on and takes a single.

FOUR! The first shot in anger from Angelo. On a length in middle, Angelo Mathews clears his front leg and hammers this straight down the ground for a boundary bisecting the fielders at long on and long off.

Halt! Sadeera Samarawickrama has taken a blow on his left ankle and hobbled to the other end. The physio is out to attend to him. Sadeera is back on his feet and we are all good to go now.

Goes for the similar stroke but the length was much fuller and he ends up chopping it back onto his pads and for a single this time.

FOUR! Top-notch strokeplay from Sadeera Samarawickrama. On a length outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama gets low and sweeps this over square leg fielder for a boundary.

LEG BYE! On a length drifting down leg, Angelo Mathews brushes this off his pads to the left of Gurbaz but he dives and saves a certain boundary for his side. Batters take a single though.

LEG BYE! Back of a length outside off, Angelo Mathews looks to play this on the leg side but the ball sneaks past the bat and clatters into his pads as the batters take a single with the ball rolling towards the off side.

Pitched up on off, Sadeera Samarawickrama lofts this off the bottom of his bat towards deep cover and gets a single.

Fuller and on off, Angelo Mathews lofts this off the bottom towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Angelo Mathews finally gets one over the infield for four. Short-pitched in middle, lack of pace on offer, Angelo Mathews backs off and upper cuts this over backward point for a boundary.

Pitched up around off, Sadeera Samarawickrama hammers this through cover-point for a single.

Angelo Mathews is struggling big time. On a length around leg, Angelo Mathews shuffles further to his leg and roll it to long on for only a single.

FOUR! A boundary after 28 balls and something to cheer for the fans. On a length around off, Sadeera Samarawickrama ramps it in between the keeper and short fine for a much-needed boundary.

Short-pitched around leg, Angelo Mathews helps it towards fine leg and takes just a single.

Short-pitched outside off, Angelo Mathews moves to his leg and punches this to mid off for no run.

Back of a length around off, Sadeera Samarawickrama chops it towards short fine for a single.

Good length in middle, Angelo Mathews rolls it towards long on for a single.

Good length on off, Angelo Mathews pushes this back to the bowler for no run.

Rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on a length, on off, Angelo Mathews knocks it to the right of mid off and gets to the other end. Ibrahim Zadran dives to his right and keeps it down to just a single.

At pace, on a hard length, Angelo Mathews looks to punch it away on the off side but miscues it back to the bowler.

Length delivery, outside off, Angelo Mathews drives it without any foot movement and it goes straight to cover.

Slanting in, on a good length, on middle, Angelo Mathews clips it straight to mid-wicket.

Angelo Mathews walks out next.

OUT! TAKEN! Redemption for Azmatullah Omarzai for that dropped catch! Charith Asalanka cannot make Afghanistan pay for that error. Takes pace off and angles it across the left-hander, on a good length, outside off, Charith Asalanka reaches out as he looks to go up and over on the off side. He gets undone by the slowness of the delivery and lobs it off the toe-end of the bat towards deep cover where Naveen-ul-Haq settles under it and does the rest. Sri Lanka have lost half their side and this has been some fight back from Afghanistan.

Shortish delivery, on leg, Sadeera Samarawickrama pulls it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Slows it up and bowls it full, on off, Charith Asalanka presses forward and pushes it to extra cover. End of a terrific quota of 4 overs from Nabi. He finishes with figures of 4-0-25-2.

Nicely bowled! Angles it into the left-hander, on a nagging length, on off, Charith Asalanka gets half-forward to play the line of the ball. It spins away to beat the bat and Rahmanullah Gurbaz takes the bails off but the replays show that Asalanka had his back leg grounded inside the crease.

On a fullish length, on middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama gets a soft leading edge as he looks to work it across the line and it goes to backward point for a single.

Darts this one in, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka works it to mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Leg bye! Slower and shorter, on off, Sadeera Samarawickrama uses his feet and rolls his wrists to clip it on the leg side. There is half a shout for LBW as he plays all around it to get hit on the front pad but the impact was way outside off. A leg bye taken as the ball rolls to short third man.

Pushes it through, full and on the pads, Sadeera Samarawickrama flicks it to short fine leg and looks for a single but gets sent back by his partner.

Angling in from around the wicket, on a length, on off, driven to extra cover for a quick single.

Nails the yorke, on the off-stump line, Charith Asalanka digs it out beside the pitch on the off side and they cross.

Good length in middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama smashes this to deep mid-wicker for a single.

PUT DOWN! Azmatullah Omarzai has shelled it! Charith Asalanka gets an early reprieve. Fazalhaq Farooqi goes into the wicket and bowls it on off, Charith Asalanka hangs back and tries to drag the pull on the leg side. Gets it off the bottom half of the bat and skies it high in the air towards deep mid-wicket where Azmatullah Omarzai runs in from the deep and settles under the skier. He looks to take it with his fingers pointing downwards but the ball hits his palm and pops out. How costly will this drop prove?

Bends his back and bangs it in short, on off, Charith Asalanka sways away out of the line of the ball and lets it go.

Sliding onto the pads, on a length, Sadeera Samarawickrama glances it away down to fine leg and gets to the other end.

Tosses it up and bowls it at 89 clicks, full and on off and middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama clips it off his pads to deep backward square leg and retains the strike with a single.

Floats it up now, full and on off, Charith Asalanka works it to deep cover and gets off the mark with a single.

Charith Asalanka walks out next.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Mohammad Nabi has the last laugh! The crowd stunned in silence as Wanindu Hasaranga holes out. Mohammad Nabi stays over the wicket and bowls it flat and short, on middle and leg, Wanindu Hasaranga moves leg side to free his arms and shapes up to launch a maximum down the ground with a cross-batted shot. The ball gets big on him He fails to get the desired connection to clear the man at long on. It comes off the upper half of the bat and goes only as far as Ibrahim Zadran at long on, where he reverse cups it inches off the ropes.

Slower and on a length, around off, Sadeera Samarawickrama eases it to the right of extra cover for a single.

Low full toss, on middle and leg, driven to the right of the bowler for a single.

SIX! Wanindu Hasaranga is picking off where he left off in the series opener! Mohammad Nabi bowls it flat and short, at the stumps, Wanindu Hasaranga gives himself room and holds his shape to thump it over long on for a maximum.

Tosses it up, full and on off, Wanindu Hasaranga looks to drive but gets it off the inner half to long on for a single. 15 runs off the over, a good one for Sri Lanka.

FOUR! Gets it through! Drops it short and sliding across, on off, Wanindu Hasaranga uses his feet and slaps it to the right of cover-point. Azmatullah Omarzai sprints to his left and dives but in vain.

Shouts of 'catch it' but it goes away from the fielder. Turning in, on a nagging length, on leg, Wanindu Hasaranga backs away and carves it aerially to the left of extra cover. Azmatullah Omarzai in the deep, covers good ground but releases a slightly wayward throw at the batting end, allowing the second run to be easy for Hasaranga.

SIX! In the arc and out of the park! Noor Ahmad comes from around the wicket and bowls the wrong one but it is in the slot, on leg, Wanindu Hasaranga picks up the variation and sets himself up getting his front leg out of the way. Smacks it flat and over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Floats it up nicely, slower as well, around off, Sadeera Samarawickrama leans ahead to go for the drive and gets an outside edge that goes to the left of short third man. They cross.

Slides it across the batter, full and outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga clears his front leg and drills it down to long off for a single.

Fuller on off, Wanindu Hasaranga pushes this to long on for a single.

The skipper, Wanindu Hasaranga makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! Mr. President Mohammad Nabi removes Dhananjaya de Silva. Cleverly bowled by Nabi as he drags his length a bit more as he sees Dhananjaya de Silva jump down the track, Dhananjaya de Silva looks for the wild heave over long on but gets it off the cue end straight towards Ibrahim Zadran at long on.

Quicker one in middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama pushes this to short mid-wicket and takes a quick single.

Brilliantly bowled by Mohammad Nabi. Arm delivery right in the block hole, Sadeera Samarawickrama brings his bat down just in time to block this out.

Short of a length in middle, Dhananjaya de Silva tucks it towards square leg and rotates strike.

WIDE! Off-break sliding down leg, Dhananjaya de Silva looks for the tickle around the leg but misses.

Tossed up on pads, Sadeera Samarawickrama flicks this towards deep square leg for a single.

Fuller around off, Sadeera Samarawickrama drives this through point for a single.

Floats one outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama looks to play this late and find the gap at 45 on off but gets beaten.

Full and turning in from middle, Dhananjaya de Silva sweeps this towards deep mid-wicket for another single.

Tossed up on pads, Sadeera Samarawickrama rolls it towards long on and takes a single.

Flipper outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama looks for the cut but gets beaten. This skidded on.

Fuller and on off, Sadeera Samarawickrama gently tucks it towards cow corner and collects a couple.

It will be spin from both ends as Noor Ahmad is introduced into the attack.

Tossed up on pads, Sadeera Samarawickrama tucks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

LEG BYE! Quicker and flatter around leg, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to run this towards square leg but the ball deflects off his thigh pad towards point and they take a single.

FOUR! Tossed up outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva looks for the lofted drive but gets one hand off the handle and still manages to roll the ball over the fence for four at deep cover region.

Length dragged back and in middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama rolls his wrists and flicks it towards deep square leg looking for a couple but the fielder was quick to it and kept it down to one.

Fuller and on pads, Dhananjaya de Silva rolls it towards the leg side for another single.

Tossed up in middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

First look at spin as Mohammad Nabi comes on to bowl.

Back of a length in middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama nudges it towards deep mid-wicket and jogs off to the other end.

Good-length delivery in middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama flicks it towards the leg side for a couple.

Top shot and great work in the field. On a length around off, Dhananjaya de Silva lofts this over cover for three runs. Noor Ahmad runs to his right, dives and flicks it back into the playing area to save 1 run for his side.

Overcooked outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva drives this wide of the sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Good length on off, Sadeera Samarawickrama thumps this back to the bowler and takes a single. The bowler did get a bit of hand to it but couldn't save a single.

FOUR! Beautifully driven away for four. Pitched up outside off, Sadeera Samarawickrama gets on top of it and drives this through cover for four.

Karim Janat comes into the attack now.

Good length outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes with firm hands at it and gets beaten again.

Pitched up on off, Dhananjaya de Silva drives this straight to Gulbadin Naib at extra-cover for no run. Pressure mounting on Dhananjaya de Silva.

Nicely deceived the batter. On a length outside off, pace off it. Dhananjaya de Silva looks to dab it towards third man region but gets beaten.

On a length around off, Sadeera Samarawickrama punches this on the up towards mid off and sets off for a quick one.

On a length, around that fourth stump channel, Sadeera Samarawickrama strides in front and pushes this straight to the fielder at cover for no run.

Good length on top of off, Dhananjaya de Silva dabs it to the left of cover and sets off for a single.

This is on a length, on off, Sadeera Samarawickrama pushes it to short extra cover. There is confusion between the batters again for the single but they decide not to cross this time.

Digs it in short, over middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama goes for the pull but gets this one off the inner half of the bat and it rolls behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

On a back of a length, on middle, knocked in front of mid on for a quick single.

Oh, dear! A big mix-up and Sadeera Samarawickrama was gone had the throw hit. Farooqi bowls it on a hard length, on middle, Sadeera Samarawickrama hops back and nudges it in front of square leg. A yes-no situation for the single as the two batters stutter. Najibullah Zadran gets to the ball and picks it up quickly. He fails to hit the stumps at the bowling end and Sadeera Samarawickrama survives. The batter had given up there. The 50 comes up for Sri Lanka.

Sadeera Samarawickrama comes out next to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! Fazalhaq Farooqi with a great comeback! He gets the other opener and Afghanistan will be relieved to see the back of both openers, who were taking them on. Stays over the wicket and keeps it slower, on a back of a length, around off, Kusal Mendis looks to replicate the previous shot and gets on the front foot. He fails to pick the variation and the ball sticks in the surface as well. Mendis is through his shot early and ends up lobbing it tamely to point where Noor Ahmad does the rest.

FOUR! Takes pace off and bowls it full and angling away, outside off, Kusal Mendis leans into the drive and caresses it through covers for a boundary.

Slants it back in, on a length, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva watches it closely and gets behind the line to stab it down on the off side. End of a successful over for Azmatullah Omarzai but Sri Lanka are off to an explosive start here.

Dhananjaya de Silva walks out next to bat.

OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Azmatullah Omarzai breaks through for Afghanistan! End of Pathum Nissanka's onslaught. Omarzai goes full and gets the ball to swing back into the right-hander, on middle, Pathum Nissanka takes his front foot forward and tries to clip it away. He plays all around it as the ball sneaks past the inside edge and pings him on the front pad. He is trapped right in front of the stumps and the umpire raises the finger. Mendis knows he is a goner and does not bother about taking the review. Afghanistan get the breakthrough they were after.

Hurls it at the stumps, on a good length, on off, Kusal Mendis shapes up to run it down to third man but gets an inside edge onto the pads. They cross as the ball rolls on the off side.

FOUR! Nicely dealt with! Angling in, on a length, at the batter, Kusal Mendis gets his front leg out of the way and lifts it over mid-wicket for four more runs.

FOUR! Pulled away with ease! Azmatullah Omarzai goes into the wicket but this does not go up enough to trouble the batter, on middle, Kusal Mendis picks up the length early and nails the pull over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good running! On a back of a length, just outside off, Kusal Mendis waits on it and opens the bat face and glides it to the left of deep backward point for two more runs.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries from Pathum Nissanka! Errs in line does Naveen-ul-Haq as he serves it on a length, on the pads, Pathum Nissanka lets the ball come to him and flicks it to the left of short fine leg for another boundary. An expensive first over from Naveen-ul-Haq, 17 runs off it.

FOUR! Two in two for Pathum Nissanka and he is off to a flier here! A hit-me delivery from Naveen-ul-Haq as this is short and wide outside off, there to be put away, Pathum Nissanka obliges and slaps it over cover-point for four more runs.

FOUR! Up and over! This is on a back of a length, on middle, Pathum Nissanka gets his front leg out of the way and tonks it over mid on. He does not get the connection as he would have liked but clears mid on easily for a boundary.

There's that shape again from Naveen-ul-Haq, full and swinging in, on off and middle, Pathum Nissanka drives it firmly but Hazratullah Zazai moves swiftly to his left to make the stop.

Goes wide of the crease again and lands it on a hard length, on off and middle, Kusal Mendis plays it late and pats it with soft hands in front of point for a quick single.

Halt! The umpires are unhappy with the condition of the seam of the ball and they have asked for a replacement. It is resolved and we are all good to go now.

FOUR! Naveen-ul-Haq gets greeted into the attack with a boundary! Gets a good shape into the batter, on a fuller length, on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis stays put and whips it off his pads towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Another quick single! Length delivery, on off, dabbed to the right of short third man for a quick run by Kusal Mendis.

Serves it full and on middle, Kusal Mendis lofts it down the ground but it goes on the bounce to mid on.

Angling in, on a length, around off, Pathum Nissanka looks to run it down fine on the off side but gets an inside edge onto the pads and they cross as the ball rolls past the stumps.

On the fifth stump line, on a good length, Kusal Mendis runs it down to short third man and scampers across for a single. The fielder misses the shy at the batting end, allowing Pathum Nissanka to make his ground. A direct hit would have been curtains for Nissanka.

Good-length delivery, on off, Kusal Mendis taps it off the front foot to cover.

Begins on a full length, sliding onto the pads, Pathum Nissanka lifts it up and over mid-wicket. There is no real urgency from Mohammad Nabi as he gives it a chase and that allows the batters to run the third.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Azmatullah Omarzai.

Leg bye! Bowls it on a back of a length, on the pads, Pathum Nissanka misses the clip and gets rapped high on the front pad. The ball drops beside the pitch on the off side and they cross.

FOUR! Width offered and Pathum Nissanka cashes in! Angling away, on a length, wide on off, Pathum Nissanka frees his arms and drives it through covers for another boundary.

Shouts of 'catch it' but it falls well short! At the stumps, on a short of a length, Kusal Mendis stays rooted in his crease and swats it in the air but in front of deep backward square leg. Gets off the mark with a single.

Bowls it on a back of a length, around off, Kusal Mendis stays leg side of the ball and dabs it down to point.

Drags his length back and bowls it on off, a hint of inward movement, Pathum Nissanka knocks it to the right of mid off and takes a quick single.

FOUR! Pathum Nissanka and Sri Lanka are up and running! Fazalhaq Farooqi starts from over the wicket and goes full in search of swing but the line is on the pads, Pathum Nissanka stays balanced in the crease and clips it over mid-wicket for the first boundary of the game.

We are all set. The two umpires and players make their way out to the middle. It will be Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis to open the innings for Sri Lanka. Fazalhaq Farooqi will start with the new ball for Afghanistan. Away we go...

The skipper of Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga says that they will focus on the first six overs and take it from there. Adds that they are targeting a score around 180. Informs that they are going with the same team as the last game.

The captain of Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran says that they will bowl first. Adds that the wicket is similar to the last game. Adds that they will look to be positive tonight and play as per the plans they have worked on. Informs that they have one change.

PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold is near the deck. He says that a full house is expected for this game as well. Mentions that it is not an even covering of grass. Adds that it will test everyone and looks like a sluggish surface. Reckons that the captain winning the toss will look to bat first and put runs on the board.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Hazratullah Zazai (In for Qais Ahmad), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Sri Lanka (Unchanged Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (C), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in the favour of Afghanistan and they will BOWL first.

Despite the loss, Afghanistan had several positives to take away from the first match. Their bowling unit impressed by restricting Sri Lanka to a manageable total, and their batting showed promise until they faltered under pressure in the final two overs. Captain Ibrahim Zadran and his team will be aiming to step up in all departments for a better outcome. Will Afghanistan bounce back and force a decider? Or will Sri Lanka seal the series with another victory? Let's find out. Toss and team news coming up in a bit.

In the first T20I, after being inserted into bat, skipper Wanindu Hasaranga led the way with the bat and took Sri Lanka to a fighting total. With the ball, Matheesha Pathirana shone with a four-wicket haul to seal the win for the hosts. The Lankans will have to put on an improved batting display if they are to seal the series with a game to go. 

Hello and a warm welcome, folks, to our coverage of the 2nd T20I between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. With Sri Lanka holding a 1-0 lead after a thrilling series opener, the stakes are high for both teams in this encounter. Sri Lanka will be eager to seal the series with a win, while Afghanistan will look to bounce back and force a decider.

... MATCH DAY ...

The Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka has just got more spiced up with the first T20I ending up on a humdinger note. Yes, the hosts won the contest eventually but Afghanistan did fight strongly. Now the second T20I which is scheduled at the same venue at Dambulla, it will decide the fate of Afghanistan in this series. In the first game, Sri Lanka had a few hiccups in their batting as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. It took Wanindu Hasaranga the skipper to step up and explode in the batting. His quickfire 67 propelled the hosts to post a challenging total of 160 on the board with handly contributions from Sadeera Samarawickrama and DDS. But they couldn't play their allotted 20 overs and would aim to come out as a more improved unit, especially in the batting department because with the likes of Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka, the team has a good load of experience that blends with youngsters. Coming to defend the total, they knew they needed to be at their A-game right on and they did so, as Angelo Mathews gave them the early breakthrough, and then a streak of wickets followed. Every bowler stepped up but it was Matheesha Pathirana who bowled a sensational penultimate over when Afghanistan needed just 14 off the last two overs. He not only contained the batters but also took two sensational wickets. He bowled with pin-point precision yorkers and bamboozled the timber thrice. Wanindu Hasaranga was equally good in the field and bowling as well and overall had a fantastic outing Dasun Shanaka too chipped in with two timely wickets in the same over and further cemented their win. On the other hand, Afghanistan would be aiming to bat more responsibly as yet again, their batting order tumbled and couldn't withstand the partnerships. The skipper Ibrahim Zadran was the lone performer who looked comfortable against a decent Lankan bowling attack. He played a fabulous captain's knock of 67 runs but witnessed the collapse on the other end as no other batter could make any impact. Karim Janat did provide a responsible hand with 20 but eventually, they couldn't handle the pressure and failed to chase almost run-a-ball in the last couple of overs. They don't seem to have any issues with the bowling department as the turners and the seamers have decently performed. But they surely need to step up with the bat. This second match is just like a virtual knockout for the tourists to save the series. Sri Lanka on the other hand, if they win, will clinch the series of the last leg of this tour, but Afghanistan are known and grown for their fightback. It won't be an easy task for the hosts. Who do you think will take the second game home?