Sri Lanka walked into the Tremendous Fours of the Asia Cup 2025 with a strong six-wicket win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Chasing 170, Kusal Mendis anchored the innings with an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls, serving to his staff preserve an ideal report within the group stage. Kamindu Mendis‘ late cameo with 26 off 13 as Sri Lanka sealed the chase in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Afghanistan had been restricted to 169/8 regardless of Mohammad Nabi’s sensible 60 off simply 22 balls, together with 5 sixes within the last over. Nuwan Thushara starred with the ball for Sri Lanka, returning with figures of 4 for 18, dismantling Afghanistan’s prime order. The outcome not solely confirmed Sri Lanka’s prime spot in Group B but additionally guided the way in which for Bangladesh to qualify in second place, knocking Afghanistan out of the event.
Key moments from SL vs AFG, Match 11 of Asia Cup 2025:
1. Afghanistan out of Asia Cup 2025
Afghanistan’s Asia Cup 2025 marketing campaign got here to a heartbreaking finish as their do-or-die conflict towards Sri Lanka didn’t go their means. Having already misplaced to Bangladesh earlier within the group stage, this was their final probability to remain alive. Mohammad Nabi gave Afghanistan hope together with his 60 off simply 22 balls, guiding them to 169/8. However Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74 off 52 helped Sri Lanka chase the goal with six wickets in hand, sealing their place within the Tremendous Fours with an ideal group-stage report. The loss additionally meant Bangladesh superior because the second staff from Group B.
2. Mohammad Nabi’s final over heroics
Mohammad Nabi displayed his power-hitting skills, which helped Afghanistan push the overall over 160. Nabi took over the demise overs and dismantled the Sri Lankan bowlers. He first punished Dushmantha Chameera with three consecutive boundaries within the penultimate over, smashing 17 runs. Within the last over, bowled by Dunith Wellalage, he hammered 5 sixes in six balls, with a no-ball and single, smashing 32 runs. His 60 off simply 22 balls guided Afghanistan to 169/8.
3. Nuwan Thushara baggage four-wicket haul
Sri Lanka’s seamer Nuwan Thushara produced a formidable spell, bagging a superb four-wicket haul. Thushara dismantled Afghanistan’s prime order in fashion. After Dushmantha Chameera’s costly first over, he responded with a double strike in his second, eradicating Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a slower ball after which cleansing up Karim Janat with a peach. His third sufferer was Sediqullah Atal, ripping by means of his protection. Simply when Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi had been stitching a strong stand, Thushara returned with a slower yorker to dismiss Rashid, sealing figures of 4 for 18.
Get each cricket updates! Observe Us:
