Asia Cup: Kusal Mendis helps SL end group stage unbeaten; Afghanistan out, Bangladesh in Super Four
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Sri Lanka Cruises to Victory Over Afghanistan in Asia Cup Thriller
In a thrilling finale to their Asia Cup group stage, Sri Lanka chased down Afghanistan’s total with ease, winning by six wickets in Abu Dhabi. Kusal Mendis starred with a brilliant unbeaten 74, powering the Lankans to 171/4 in just 18.4 overs. This victory keeps Sri Lanka undefeated with three straight wins, booking their spot in the Super Four alongside Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.
Afghanistan, needing a win to advance, posted 169/8 after choosing to bat first. But their top order crumbled early, and despite a explosive knock from Mohammed Nabi, they couldn’t defend the total. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Nuwan Thushara’s 4/18, kept things tight until the end.
The match started with Afghanistan’s innings in trouble right from the powerplay. They lost three quick wickets for 40 runs in the first six overs, with Thushara dismantling their top order. By the end of the powerplay, Afghanistan sat at 45/3, with Ibrahim Zadran (24 off 27) and Darwish Rasooli (9 off 16) struggling to build momentum.
Things got worse as Omarzai, who had fired in previous games, managed just 6 off 4 balls. Afghanistan slumped to 79/6 in 12.1 overs. Then Nabi walked in and changed the script. Partnered briefly with skipper Rashid Khan (24 off 23, including two fours and a six), Nabi helped them cross 100 in 14.3 overs.
The real fireworks came in the death overs. Nabi unleashed a blistering 60 off 22 balls, smashing three fours and six sixes. In the final over against Dunith Wellalage, he hammered five massive sixes, blasting 32 runs to push Afghanistan to 169/8. That half-century in 20 balls tied the joint-fastest for Afghanistan in T20Is. Dushmantha Chameera, Wellalage, and Dasun Shanaka each picked up a wicket to support Thushara’s haul.
Chasing 170, Sri Lanka’s openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis attacked from the start, racing to 22/0 in two overs with four boundaries. But Azmatullah Omarzai struck early, dismissing Nissanka for 6 off five balls. Kusal Mendis, shaking off a quiet series so far, looked sharp at the other end.
Kamindu Mendis fell next, bowled by Mohammed Nabi for 4 off 10 balls, leaving Sri Lanka at 47/2 in 5.2 overs. Veteran Kusal Perera joined Mendis and steadied the ship. They hit boundaries freely, reaching 50 in 5.4 overs and 82/2 at the halfway mark in 10 overs. Perera added flair with a slog-sweep four.
Perera’s aggressive 28 off 20 (three fours) ended in the 12th over when Mujeeb ur Rahman got him caught behind for 92/3. Skipper Charith Asalanka came in and paired with Mendis for quick runs. Mendis brought up his 17th T20I fifty off 40 balls (six fours), but Asalanka fell for 17 off 16, caught by Rashid Khan off Noor Ahmad, at 119/4 in 14.5 overs.
With 48 needed off five overs, Sri Lanka stayed calm. Rashid Khan bowled a tight over for six runs, but Noor leaked 17 in the 17th, including extras and hits from Mendis and Kamindu Mendis. The brothers then turned on the heat—Kamindu smashing two sixes in his quick 26* off 13 balls.
In the 18th over, 15 runs flowed, leaving just 10 to get. Mendis sealed the chase with two fours off Mujeeb ur Rahman, finishing unbeaten on 74 off 52 (10 fours). Afghanistan’s bowlers—Mujeeb (1/42), Nabi (1), and Noor (1)—fought hard but couldn’t stop the momentum.
This win cements Sri Lanka’s strong Asia Cup campaign, while Afghanistan bows out after a big opening win over Hong Kong but losses to Bangladesh and now Sri Lanka. The Super Four stage promises more excitement with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in Group A.
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan 169/8 in 20 overs (Mohammed Nabi 60, Ibrahim Zadran 24; Nuwan Thushara 4/18)
Sri Lanka 171/4 in 18.4 overs (Kusal Mendis 74, Kamindu Mendis 26; Mujeeb ur Rahman 1/42)
Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets.
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