Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan 3rd T20 Tips & Preview - Afghanistan to end torrid tour

Afghanistan lost the solitary Test, then lost the ODIs 3-0 and are now trailing the three-match T20I series 2-0 with one game to go. With the series done, there could be several changes to both teams. 

Afghanistan have not gone down without a fight. They lost the first T20I by four runs after restricting Sri Lanka to 160 but just couldn’t find the finishing touches in the death overs, which cost them dearly. 

In the second game, Sri Lanka were simply far too strong. They first scored 187 for 6 before then bowling Afghanistan out for just 115. 

It has been hard to look past Sri Lanka’s allrounders as the reasons for their success this series. Case in point was the second T20I. Angelo Mathews first bludgeoned a 22-ball 42, with two fours and four sixes, before denting the Afghanistan chase with figures of 2 for 9 in just two overs. 

"Since the Zimbabwe series, I was told to bowl to help the balance of the side," Mathews said. "At any moment I am ready to bowl. Selectors spoke to me too, and we had a decent chat. I am willing to give my 100%. I am enjoying my cricket, and want to do my best for the team."

Wanindu Hasaranga, leading the Sri Lankan team in this series, hit 22 off 9 before delivering stifling figures of 2 for 19 to all but kill the Afghanistan chase. 

Sri Lanka have enjoyed contributions right through this series. In the previous game, every bowler picked up at least one wicket and every batsman scored at least 10 runs, apart from Charith Asalanka.

That has been their modus operandi right through this series, an indicator of their depth and consistency. 

There isn’t much to play for with this Afghanistan team. There will be a hunger to end this tour with at least one win, which could be an influential reason for them to just go out and play their brand of cricket. However, Sri Lanka have always found a counter for that method this series. 

It’s hard to see how Afghanistan will quickly find their feet after a demoralising defeat in their previous game. Sri Lanka seem to have all bases covered, including bowling through the middle of an innings.

This will be a series that Sri Lanka will look to savour with another dominant performance in Dambulla on an expectedly balmy evening.