After being dominant on the first two days of the only Test against Afghanistan, the hosts have been pushed back by the visitors with a brilliant performance on Day 3. Afghanistan wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings quickly at the start of the day and ended Day 3 at 199/1 and they currently trail by 42 runs. The Afghani openers were the star show and put up a solid partnership for the first wicket. On the other hand, Naveed Zadran picked up 4 wickets with the ball for the visitors.
While continuing to bat from their overnight score of 420/6, Sri Lanka lost their remaining four wickets within a gap of 19 runs and were all out for 439. Wicketkeeper-batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama was the first Sri Lankan wicket to fell on Day 3. He was removed by Naveed Zadran and caught by Rahmat Shah for 27 runs from 33 balls. Prabath Jayasuriya was the next batsman to get out for two runs whereas Vishwa Fernando was dismissed for a duck.
Afghanistan showcase brilliant fightback on Day 3
Innings break: Sri Lanka lead by 241 runs!#SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/rJFZ9xcVB0
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 4, 2024
Chamika Gunasekara was retired hurt after he was hit on the helmet during the 107th over of the Sri Lankan innings by Naveed Zadran. However, it looked like he felt the discomfort and pain after two overs when he edged an outside off short pitch ball by Nijat Masood which later went for a four. However, the physio came quickly to the ground and followed the concussion process. In the end, Gunasekara was suggested to walk off the field and hence he was considered retired out.
Apart from a brilliant four-wicket haul by Naveed Zadran, Nijat Masood and Qais Ahmad ended up picking 2 wickets each.
Sri Lanka gained a first-innings lead of 241 runs in front of Afghanistan and the visitors needed a solid batting display to avoid an innings defeat. The Afghani team didn’t repeat their flop batting show as it was in the first innings and openers Noor Ali Zadran and Ibrahim Zadran added 106 runs from 258 balls. The Afghani team was off to a brilliant start in their second innings. Both the batsmen played some solid and decent shots during their partnerships and kept the momentum going that was earned earlier in the day.
Noor Ali Zadran missed out on a half-century and got out for 47 runs from 136 balls and smashed 5 boundaries during his stay at the crease. He was caught in front by Asitha Fernando. While Noor Ali missed out on a century, Ibrahim Zadran slammed a brilliant ton and was unbeaten on 101 runs from 217 balls. Rahmat Shah also showcased a brilliant display of batting and was not out on 46 runs from 98 balls at the end of Day 3.
Afghanistan finished Day 3 at 199/1 in 75 overs and they currently trail by 42 runs against Sri Lanka in their second innings. Afghanistan would be aiming to continue the performance on Day 4 and put up a splendid performance.
That's Stumps on Day 3 of the inaugural #SLvAFG Test! 👍#AfghanAtalan, riding on an excellent batting effort from @IZadran18 (101*), @NoorAliZadran (47) and @RahmatShah_08 (46*), ended the 3rd day's play with 199/1 runs on the board, trailing by 42 runs in the 2nd inning. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/I6YYdvL3xT
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 4, 2024
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan 1st innings: 198 (Rahmat Shah: 91, Vishwa Fernando: 4/51)
Sri Lanka 1st innings: 439 (Angelo Mathews: 141, Naveed Zadran: 4/83)
Afghanistan 2nd innings: 199/1 (Ibrahim Zadran: 101, Asitha Fernando: 1/35)