Sri Lanka Cruises to Victory Over Afghanistan in Asia Cup Thriller
In a nail-biting clash at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka pulled off a convincing six-wicket win against Afghanistan in their final Group B match of the Asia Cup. Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara starred with a fiery 4-18 spell, while Kusal Mendis anchored the chase with an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls, packed with ten boundaries. This thrilling victory on Thursday sealed Sri Lanka’s spot in the Super Fours, alongside Bangladesh, and knocked out last year’s T20 World Cup semi-finalists Afghanistan.
Afghanistan posted a competitive 169/8 in 20 overs, thanks to Mohammad Nabi’s explosive 60 off just 22 balls and Rashid Khan’s quick 24. But Thushara’s pace turned the game early, dismantling their middle order and keeping Sri Lanka in control. Captain Dasun Shanaka chipped in with 1-29 to add pressure.
Chasing 170 on a pitch with good grip and bounce, Sri Lanka started strong but hit early bumps. Opener Pathum Nissanka fell for just six, pulling Azmatullah Omarzai straight to short fine leg. Kamil Mishara followed quickly, chipping Mohammad Nabi to extra cover, leaving them at 52/2 after the powerplay. The match hung in balance, but Kusal Mendis stepped up big time.
The wicketkeeper-batter brought calm to the innings, reaching his half-century off 40 balls with a clever sweep shot. He matched Nissanka’s record of 17 T20I fifties and kept the scoreboard ticking by rotating the strike and finding gaps. Even as Kusal Perera got caught behind off Mujeeb Ur Rahman for 28, Mendis stayed rock-solid.
Charith Asalanka joined the party, nudging a late boundary to backward point that pushed Sri Lanka past 100 and locked in their Super Fours qualification at 101/3. Asalanka soon departed, and Kamindu Mendis survived a close run-out scare—Rashid Khan’s direct hit attempt backfired, injuring his back and forcing him off the field.
From there, Kusal and Kamindu turned on the aggression. They smashed boundaries off Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi, with Kusal sealing the deal in style—a sharp cut and a powerful pull through mid-wicket off Mujeeb. Afghanistan’s bowlers, despite Omarzai’s tight 1-10, leaked crucial runs and couldn’t stop the momentum.
This win boosts Sri Lanka’s confidence heading into the Super Fours, while Afghanistan’s early exit stings after Nabi’s fireworks. Fans are already buzzing about what’s next in the Asia Cup!
Brief scores: Afghanistan 169/8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Nabi 60, Rashid Khan 24; Nuwan Thushara 4-18, Dasun Shanaka 1-29) lost to Sri Lanka 171/4 in 18.4 overs (Kusal Mendis 74*, Kusal Perera 28; Azmatullah Omarzai 1-10, Noor Ahmad 1-37) by six wickets.
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