SL skipper Asalanka happy with “almost perfect” game; Afgh skipper Rashid rues missing Super Four spot
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Sri Lanka’s cricket team delivered a thrilling performance in the Asia Cup, crushing Afghanistan by six wickets to storm into the Super Four stage unbeaten. Captain Charith Asalanka couldn’t hide his joy after the win in Abu Dhabi, calling it “almost a perfect game” for his side. He gave special shoutouts to star pacer Nuwan Thushara for his match-winning four-wicket haul and wicketkeeper Kusal Perera for some stunning catches.
The Lankan Lions finished the group stage on a high, winning all three matches without a single loss. This victory knocked out Afghanistan, who managed just one win in their three games. From Group B, Bangladesh also advanced with two wins, while India and Pakistan progressed from Group A. The Super Four now promises some exciting Asia Cup clashes ahead.
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first, but Thushara’s fiery spell in the powerplay turned the game on its head. He ripped through their top order, leaving them wobbling at 40/3. Openers like Ibrahim Zadran (24 off 27 balls, including a six) and skipper Rashid Khan (24 off 23 balls with two fours and a six) tried to steady the ship, but the visitors slumped to 114/7 in 17.1 overs.
Enter veteran all-rounder Mohammed Nabi, who unleashed pure fireworks. The experienced campaigner smashed an unbeaten 60 off just 22 balls, featuring three fours and six massive sixes. His onslaught included five sixes in the final over against Dunith Wellalage, helping Afghanistan post a fighting 169/7 in 20 overs. It was a dramatic turnaround, but would it be enough?
Chasing 170, Sri Lanka hit early trouble, losing in-form opener Pathum Nissanka cheaply. Kusal Perera chipped in with 28 runs, but the team slipped to 119/4 in 14.5 overs, staring at a tricky situation. That’s when Kusal Mendis took charge, playing a masterful knock of 74 not out off 52 balls, laced with 10 boundaries. He found perfect support from Kamindu Mendis, who blazed 26 not out off 13 balls with two sixes. Their explosive 52-run partnership sealed the deal, guiding Sri Lanka home with eight balls to spare.
In the post-match chat, Asalanka praised his team’s all-round effort. “I’m really pleased with the performance. Almost a perfect game for us,” he said. “Pacers did the job—only the last over went wrong. Thushara is a phenomenal guy; he bowls those crucial powerplay overs for the country. Perera was outstanding with the catches. We want to be the best fielding side in T20Is—you need to catch everything in this format. Our supporters back us even more in foreign countries!”
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, meanwhile, reflected on the heartbreak. He marveled at Nabi’s five sixes in the final over, calling it “unbelievable,” but admitted their bowling fell short on a pitch that wasn’t the usual flat Abu Dhabi track. “It was pretty hard out there—it wasn’t the typical wicket. We could’ve chased 170-180, and we had a shot at 150 in the last game. That’s T20 cricket for you,” he said. Rashid highlighted their hard work, noting how they reached the T20 World Cup semis last year and aimed for the Super Four here. “We trained hard and thought we’d make the next round at least.”
With Sri Lanka’s unbeaten run and key players like Thushara and Mendis firing, the Asia Cup Super Four stage is set to heat up. Fans can’t wait for more action from these Asian cricket giants!
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