Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka was one of the most exciting group-stage matches. At the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, they watched a confident pursuit, powerful hitting, blazing quick bowling, and a last-over six-hitting spree. Sri Lanka advanced to the Super Four with a six-wicket victory, while Afghanistan’s campaign ended in tragedy.
Kusal Mendis’ elegant 74 off 52 balls* and Mohammad Nabi’s scorching 60 off 22 balls, which included five sixes in the penultimate over, were the highlights of the match. View the complete scorecard, highlights, and standout performances from this titanic duel here.
Toss & First Innings:
After winning the toss, Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan decided to bat in an attempt to score a large total in this crucial match. However, the scheme fell apart in a flash. With the new ball in hand, Nuwan Thushara came out swinging and tore through the top order. By the thirteenth over, Afghanistan was reeling at 79/6, facing collapse after his devastating run of 4 for 18.
Afterward, Mohammad Nabi changed the course of events with a daring counterattack that revived the match.
Nabi’s Fireworks:
The seasoned all-rounder Mohammad Nabi reminded everyone of his reputation as one of cricket’s most lethal finishers. He launched a surprise counterattack, putting Afghanistan in serious peril.
The highlight of the match was when Nabi destroyed teenage spinner Dunith Wellalage with five straight sixes in the last over. It was a power-hitting display that enthralled Abu Dhabi. With his explosive 60 off 22 balls and soaring blows, he gave Afghanistan a fighting chance and helped them to a respectable 169/8 in 20 overs.
Rashid Khan also made a significant contribution, securing the middle order with 24 runs off 23 balls before Nabi’s spectacular display.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Performance:
The majority of the innings was dominated by Sri Lanka’s bowlers. The most impressive player was Nuwan Thushara, who tore through Afghanistan’s top order with a scorching 4 for 18 spell that left Sri Lanka well in control of the match.
Dunith Wellalage had good control over the middle overs, but his stats were ruined by Nabi’s late attack. Afghanistan only managed to surpass 160 thanks to Nabi’s genius, even though the rest of the attack applied constant pressure.
Sri Lanka’s Chase:
In the Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan chase, Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara fell cheaply as Sri Lanka faltered early in their chase for 170 on a batting-friendly wicket, offering Afghanistan a ray of optimism. At that point, Kusal Mendis assumed leadership.
The veteran wicketkeeper used a sophisticated combination of crisp striking and care to steady the batting. He found the ideal finisher in *Kamindu Mendis (26 off 13)** after first rebuilding with Kusal Perera (28 off 20). They kept the chase on course together.
The bowlers from Afghanistan attempted to score, but Mendis’s poise calmed them down. With an easy victory of six wickets, Sri Lanka finished on 171/4 after cruising home in 18.4 overs.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Efforts:
Afghanistan launched an early attack to defend 170, but it was unable to remove Kusal Mendis, and it proved to be the deciding factor. With 1/23 in 4 overs,. Rashid Khan was outstanding once again, but there wasn’t enough assistance for him. The game slipped away as Sri Lanka’s batsmen were too strong for the rest of the assault to contain, particularly in the closing moments.
Player of the Match:
As the knock that anchored Sri Lanka’s chase, Kusal Mendis’ unbroken 74 earned him the Player of the Match title. He took the strain, paced the innings well, and ensured that there were no surprises in the end. Mendis’s skill made sure Sri Lanka easily passed the line. But Mohammad Nabi’s explosive 60 had given Afghanistan a fighting chance.
Key Turning Points of Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
- Afghanistan was lowered to 79/6 by Nuwan Thushara’s early strikes.
- The game was changed by Mohammad Nabi’s attack. Which included five sixes and gave Afghanistan a respectable total.
- Kusal Mendis’s composed innings served as the ideal foundation for Sri Lanka’s pursuit.
- There was no last-minute drama in the run pursuit because of Kamindu Mendis’s final appearance.
What This Result Means
- Sri Lanka: They joined Bangladesh from Group B in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage.
- Afghanistan: Despite Nabi’s valiant efforts, the team’s campaign ended in the group stage as they were eliminated from the tournament.
Final Thoughts
Everything that makes T20 cricket so thrilling was there in the Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan Asia Cup 2025 match: early collapses, amazing power hitting, and a calm chase. Afghanistan rallied from the edge to reach a respectable total after being saved by Mohammad Nabi’s incredible 60 off 22 balls. However, Kusal Mendis’s game-winning 74 off 52* and Nuwan Thushara’s scorching 4/18 demonstrated Sri Lanka’s depth and experience, which ultimately proved to be too formidable.
Afghanistan bowed out with pride but also remorse at not completing as a team, while Sri Lanka’s victory strengthened their momentum going into the Super Four stage. However, supporters will recall this matchup between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi as one of the most memorable encounters of the Asia Cup 2025 group stage.