DAMBULLA: An explosive half-century by opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and his 88-run first-wicket partnership with Hazratullah Zazai powered Afghanistan to a total of 209/5 in 20 overs during the third and final T20I of the series at Dambulla on Wednesday.
SL needs to chase down 210 runs to win the series 3-0
Zazai and Gurbaz made a solid start, with Zazai smashing Matheesha Pathirana for three boundaries in the fourth over.
At the end of the powerplay, Afghanistan was 72/0, having reached the 50-run mark in just four overs.
Akila Dhananjaya trapped Zazai leg-before-wicket, removing him for 45 in 22 balls, with six fours and two sixes. Afghanistan was 88/1 in 7.2 overs.
Afghanistan reached the 100-run mark in 8.3 overs.
Gurbaz reached his half-century in just 28 balls, with six fours and a six.
Skipper Ibrahim Zadran could not stick around for long, falling to Dhananjaya for just 10, reducing Afghanistan to 113/2 in 10.2 overs.
Azmatullah Omarzai was the next up on the crease and he and Gurbaz kept the scoreboard going until Wanindu Hasaranga got the all-important scalp of Gurbaz for 70 in 43 balls, with seven fours and a six. Afghanistan was 141/3 in 13.5 overs.
Omarzai kept the scoreboard ticking over, with Pathirana getting his and Karim Janat's wicket. Afghanistan was 182/5 in 18.2 overs.
Mohammad Nabi and Mohammad Ishaq (16* each) kept the scoreboard moving well in the final two overs, helping the team touch the 200-run mark in 19.5 overs.
Afghanistan ended at 209/5 in 20 overs.
Dhananjaya and Pathirana took two wickets each while Hasaranga got one.