SL VS AFG - 3rd ODI, Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka, 2022

Both captains gather in the middle to pose for photos with the cheque for series winner. Now they hold the trophy together, with claps ringing out in the background. The series ends 1-1, and in the larger context of things these are 10 valuable World Cup Super League points for Sri Lanka. Both teams have a break from International cricket now, but most of the Sri Lankan guys will be in action in the Lankan Premier League, which starts next month. We'll be there to cover that tournament as well, join us then. For now, this is Saurabh Shankar, signing off on behalf of Kumar Abhishek Das and Naga.

Dasun Shanaka | Sri Lanka Captain: Firstly, I must thank the crowds who came to support us when we were desperate to win. This was a tough chase, but our partnerships kept us going. I think in the middle phase we were indisciplined, that's where we went out of the game. In the coming series, we need to look at that. Plan was to bat till the 45th over when I was coming out to bat. If I was there, maybe the game would have been easier. Charith is an outstanding character, and Dunith also did very well, so young in his career.

H Shahidi | Afghanistan Captain: The score was good but the Sri Lankan batters did very well to chase that down. Rashid did his job very well, but other bowlers didn't do things according to plan. But credit to Sri Lanka. I think a few misfields, some dropped chances. Sri Lanka is a tough team to play at home, we really enjoyed playing here. Our team played very well today as well.

Ibrahim Zadran | Player of the Series: I'm very happy with my performance. The ball was keeping low and stopping, so I took my time in the beginning. We lost three wickets in the middle, but then me and Najib played well. I was telling him we'll try for 250 but after he got 50 and I got my hundred, our target was 300. This is just the start of my cricket, I will try to do more great things for my country, for the people of Afghanistan. I would like to dedicate this award to my parents for all the hardwork they have put in.

Charith Asalanka | Player of the Match: Really happy with this performance. We were behind this chase, but we came out of it strong. I believe in my captain, he's a magnificent player, his 40 odd runs were very helpful. I believed all the way, I know Wella (Wellalage) is a good player. The leg is better now, but at some stages I thought if I must come out. Glad I fought through it.

22:36 Local Time, 17:06 GMT, 22:36 IST: What a grand stand finish! This Sri Lankan team was down and out for the bulk of this chase, but somehow they can never be knocked out. A gem of an innings from Asalanka, coupled with a hero's cameo from young Wellalage has once again ensured cricket illuminates this nation that hasn't had a lot to celebrate about in the recent past. The game started with the Sri Lankan openers adding over a hundred runs for the first wicket, but they played a bit too tepid and scored slowly. The spin of Nabi and Rashid Khan started causing problems, with the leggie in particular running through that middle-order. He picked up 4/37, claiming de Silva, Shanaka and Hasaranga. Sri Lanka 249/6 after 43.1 overs, with Asalanka also soldiering on with a cramp. However, they found an unlikely hero in the new kid Dunith Wellalage. He took on Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib, smashing a few boundaries when Sri Lanka looked out of the chase. Asalanka then provided the cherry on top with a winning six over deep mid-wicket, capping off a splendid knock of 83 unbeaten off 72 balls. A superb win to level the series with a cheering home ground for Sri Lanka. Stick around for the presentations now...

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Asalanka, SIX, Wow! Bedlem at Pallekele as Charith Asalanka smokes this over deep mid-wicket. Short, back of a length on off. This was the length he was struggling with all evening after that cramp, but not this time. Not with the hope of a nation on his back! Totally tonks it over deep mid-wicket, past the ropes, does a bat drop and throws his helmet in the air in celebration. Shushes someone in the crowds as well, this man deserves all the plaudits today! What a win

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Wellalage, 1 run, length ball on off, heaved towards long-on. Gets to the fielder on the bounce

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Wellalage, no run, too cheeky! Short on middle, Wellalage attempts another ramp but gets nowhere close. He's still in pole position. Just needs to keep his nerve

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Wellalage, SIX, wow!! Anti-climatic at its best. Farooqi hits the hard length on off, Wellalage heaves for good measure and hammers it over deep mid-wicket. Rashid Khan the fielder who can only get a parry onto it, pushes it over the ropes. Six runs!

Farooqi for the last over, 13 to be defended. How's your bottle?

Gulbadin to Wellalage, 1 run, full on leg stump, Wellalage chips his drive towards long-on. Gets to the fielder on the bounce.

Gulbadin to Wellalage, FOUR, fuller on middle from over the wicket, Wellalage clears his front leg and smokes it down the ground for another boundary. What a hero this kid can become! He's playing a splendid knock

Gulbadin Naib going over the wicket. Remember 2019 World Cup against Pakistan? What would be going through his mind

Gulbadin to Wellalage, FOUR, slower delivery down leg, almost a long hop. Wellalage waits and totally tonks it past short fine, powerfully gets to the fence.

Gulbadin to Wellalage, no run, another slower length ball outside off, Wellalage shuffled closer to pull but edges it onto his boots. Dot ball!

Gulbadin to Wellalage, FOUR, staggering! Length ball closer to off stump, at normal pace. Wellalage shuffles closer and scoops it away. Very well adjusted to get it over short fine and the ball trickles onto the fence

Gulbadin to Wellalage, wide, another wide length ball, this is further away from the batter's reach. Wellalage has an easier leave

Gulbadin to Wellalage, wide, another slower length ball, Wellalage makes a late decision to leave it as it was outside off. Umpire wides!

Gulbadin to Asalanka, 1 run, slower length ball, Asalanka top edges his big pull and luckily the ball lands short of long-off.