Sri Lanka sealed an important six-wicket victory over Afghanistan within the eleventh match of Asia Cup 2025 Group B at Abu Dhabi on September 18, ending Afghanistan’s marketing campaign and reserving their Tremendous 4 spot. Afghanistan managed 169 for eight after being 79 for six however Mohammad Nabi’s blistering 60 off 22 balls revived their innings. In reply Sri Lanka chased down 170 with eight balls to spare as Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 74 off 52 balls to steer his aspect dwelling.
Nuwan Thushara’s brilliance with the ball and Mohammad Nabi’s explosive rescue act in first innings
Afghanistan’s prime order collapsed towards Sri Lanka’s swing and spin assault, tumbling to 79 for six in 12.1 overs. Nuwan Thushara led the cost with 4 wickets for 18 runs. Then veteran all-rounder Nabi launched one of many event’s most dramatic knocks. His 60 got here off 22 deliveries at a strike charge of 272.72 that includes three fours and 6 sixes.
5 consecutive maximums off Dunith Wellalage within the twentieth over produced 32 runs, the costliest over in Sri Lankan T20I historical past. Nabi turned the third-oldest participant to attain a T20I fifty after turning 40 and equalled Afghanistan’s quickest fifty report in T20Is. His late-order partnership with Noor Ahmad helped Afghanistan publish a aggressive 169 for eight.
Kusal Mendis’s medical chase takes Sri Lanka over the road towards Afghanistan
Chasing 170, Sri Lanka misplaced Pathum Nissanka early however settled as Kusal anchored the innings. He struck 10 fours in an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls. After mentioning his fifty off 40 balls Kusal rotated strike cleverly and punished unfastened deliveries. Kusal Perera chipped in with 28 off 20 earlier than falling within the twelfth over whereas captain Charith Asalanka added 17 off 12. Kamindu Mendis completed with an unbeaten 26 off 13 to finish the chase in 18.4 overs. Afghanistan bowlers Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad troubled the batters however couldn’t halt Sri Lanka’s momentum.
The win confirmed Sri Lanka’s place within the Tremendous 4 as Group B winners with six factors. Afghanistan’s hopes ended with simply two factors from three video games regardless of opening with a dominant win over Hong Kong. The end result units up Sri Lanka for an important Tremendous 4 marketing campaign whereas Afghanistan exit a event that promised a lot however led to heartbreak.
Additionally WATCH: Nuwan Thushara cleans up Karim Janat with an absolute jaffa in SL vs AFG Asia Cup 2025 conflict
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Mendis Particular.. Kusal+Kamindu Mendis Supported.. Slinga Malinga Vibes from Nuwan Thushara.. 🔥Epic Sri Lanka Win regardless of Nabi Present..
Nicely Accomplished Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
Merely Excellent 🫶🙏🫡🔥#AsiaCup2025 #SLvAFG— Varuna Gunawardena (@VarunaGune) September 18, 2025
📢📢:MILESTONE UNLOCKED
Nuwan Thushara breaked the report of finest bowling figures for SriLanka in AsiaCup T20Is
by selecting up 4 wickets for 18 runs in 4 overs. #AsiaCup2025 #MohammadNabi #NuwanThushara pic.twitter.com/dvsZBu19JA— WORLD CRICKET UPDATES (@CricketUpdater9) September 18, 2025
4-0-18-4 🔥
What a spell for RCB blood Nuwan Thushara towards Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/9XSGF7IhU1
— Lokesh Saini (@LokeshVirat18K) September 18, 2025
NUWAN THUSHARA TAKES FOUR WICKETS AGAINST AFGANISTAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OUTSTANDING BOWLING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/zgEJItrywP
— The Cricline | 𝐓𝐂 (@TheCriclineX) September 18, 2025
Kusal Mendis shines with a stellar efficiency and baggage the Participant of the Match award! 🌟🏏🏆#KusalMendis #SLvsAFG #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/J1HklB4HJi
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 18, 2025
🇱🇰 SRI LANKA EDGE OUT AFGHANISTAN BY 6 WICKETS!
Kusal Mendis 🔥 74 (52) anchors the chase as SL hunts down 170 in 18.4 overs
Nabi’s late fireworks (60 off 22) weren’t sufficient to avoid wasting AFG 💥
Sri Lanka seals Tremendous 4 spot alongside Bangladesh#SLvsAFG #AsiaCup2025 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/UZaaSpdg50— Uttam kumar sah (@uttam_kr_sah) September 18, 2025
Wonderful knock from Kusal Mendis to carry Sri Lanka’s chase collectively and take them dwelling – 74* (52) !! #SLvsAFG #SLvAFG #AFGvSL #AFGvsSL
— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng) September 18, 2025
Highest Scores in Profitable run chases in T20 Asia Cup:
74* – Kusal Mendis vs AFG (Immediately)
71 – Mohammad Rizwan vs IND (2022)
68 – Pathum Nissanka vs HK (2025)
63 – Shoaib malik vs U.A.E (2016)
63 – Noor Ali Zadran vs Oman (2016) pic.twitter.com/UJuJLLPf63— Abdul Rehman Yaseen (@Aryaseen5911) September 18, 2025
Clutch by Kusal Mendis..
What a participant! #AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/sdTqalLU4c— 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒑𝒊𝒐 (@onlysohail_) September 18, 2025
Kusal Mendis is pumped up after that win. 🥶
What a knock from him. 74*(52)🔥#SLvAFG #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #AsiaCup2025 #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/3pTYYqLHGN
— Cricholic Mrigankaaaa🇮🇳❤️ (@MSDianMrigu) September 18, 2025
Additionally WATCH: Kusal Perera’s gorgeous seize sends Darwish Rasooli packing in SL vs AFG conflict
