Three weddings and a win as Sri Lanka level ODI series

Newly-wed Charith Asalanka battled cramps in his unbeaten 83 to lead Sri Lanka's thrilling four-wicket win over Afghanistan in the third one-day international and end the series level at 1-1 on Wednesday.

Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran's record 162 -- the highest individual score for the Afghans -- went in vain after he steered the tourists to 313-8 in Pallekele.

Sri Lanka were in trouble at 249-6 in the record chase at the venue, but the left-handed pair of Asalanka and Dunith Wellalage put on an unbeaten stand of 65 to steer the team home with two balls to spare.

The island nation kept up their hopes of earning a direct entry into next year's ODI World Cup in India with a crucial 10 Super League points from the win.

Asalanka, struggling with cramps during the later half of his 72-ball knock, hit the winning six as the home crowd erupted in joy.

Asalanka was one of the three Sri Lankan players alongside fast bowler Kasun Rajitha and opener Pathum Nissanka to get married in separate ceremonies in Colombo on Monday -- a day after the second match which was rained off.

"Charith did outstanding, and he's a great finisher," skipper Dasun Shanaka said of his man of the match performer Asalanka.

"Dunith, whenever he comes on to the field, he has tended to deliver for us, not with the ball today, but with the bat."

Wellalage, 19, also kept his calm in his 31 off 21 balls as he smashed Gulbadin Naib for three fours in the 49th over to take some pressure off Asalanka, who refused many doubles as he hopped around.

Other newly-weds Rajitha returned figures of 3-60 and Nissanka scored a key 35 and put on an opening stand of 101 with Kusal Mendis (67).

Afghan spin wizard Rashid Khan returned figures of 4-37.

After a strong start by Mendis