Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Only Test Day 1 Highlights: All-Round Sri Lanka In Driver's Seat At Stumps

Welcome back for Afghanistan's reply! The umpires and the players are out in the middle. Noor Ali Zadran and Ibrahim Zadran are the two openers for Afghanistan. Vishwa Fernando to start with the ball. Lets go...

... THIRD INNINGS ...

With Chamika Gunasekara retired and not opting for a Concussion sub as of now, the Sri Lankan inning comes to a close on 439 for 9. The hosts now lead by 241 runs and the visitors will need to put up a performance with a bit of gritty nature to turn this around in their favor. A couple of big knocks from Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva has helped the hosts achieve this lead as they now hold a firm grip on this game and would be dictating terms.

Naveed Zadran was brilliant and aggressive to start the day with the ball as he removed a couple and it was his delivery that hit Chamika Gunasekara on the helmet forcing him to retire. Nijat Masood took a wicket as well this morning. The bowlers managed to wrap up things with Naveed Zadran picking up 4 in total while Qais Ahmad and Nijat Masood picked up a couple each.

OUT! CASTLED! This one lands on a length and on off, Asitha Fernando looks to defend in the line but misses it completely as the ball hits the off pole. Asitha Fernando walks out for a duck.

The umpires have also called for drinks with this halt.  Afghanistan has been performing well so far, with Zadran taking two wickets. Sri Lanka has scored 439/8 in 109.1 overs, giving them a lead of 241 runs. It will be challenging for Afghanistan to surpass Sri Lanka's score. Lets see how it pans out...

Chamika Gunasekara is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Chamika Gunasekara is walking back. Not to forget he was hit on the helmet a while back and he has complained to the umpire about having a blurred image. Will there be a concussion sub? for now NO as Asitha Fernando walks out.

FOUR! On a length outside off, Chamika Gunasekara looks to block but gets a genuine edge going past the first slip cordon for a boundary towards third man region. The lack of an attacking field with no slip costs Afghanistan here.

Good length on off, Vishwa Fernando defends this off the front foot.

On of a length outside off, Vishwa Fernando leaves it alone.

OUT! TIMBER! This one lands on off which means Jayasuriya had to play this shot. He rocks back and looks to play at it but misses and the ball clips the top of off. Prabath Jayasuriya is now back into the Hut as the Lankans go eight down in a jiffy.

On a length outside off, Chamika Gunasekara punches this to deep point for a single.

On a length outsde off, Chamika Gunasekara plays the on drive but the bowler saves this from going for runs. Naveed Zadran gets hit on the wrist and the physio comes in to check on the bowler.

Short-pitched on leg, Chamika Gunasekara ducks down on this.

Back of a length on top of off, Prabath Jayasuriya taps this to gully for no run.

Total waste of delivery as Nijat Masood darts a bouncer down leg. The batter did not even think of playing this.

Short-pitched outside off, Prabath Jayasuriya ducks down on this.

Good length on off, Chamika Gunasekara leans low and flamboyantly cuts away for a single towards deep point.

Good length in middle, Chamika Gunasekara solidly pushes this to the off side.

Good length on pads, Prabath Jayasuriya tucks it to the right of the mid on fielder and takes a single.