Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 11th Match, Group B – Asia Cup 2025 (18 September, Abu Dhabi)
Sri Lanka faced Afghanistan in a crucial final group fixture.
Sri Lanka faced Afghanistan in a crucial final group fixture. For Sri Lanka, a win would confirm top spot in Group B and passage to the Super Four; for Afghanistan, it was a must-win to stay in contention. The stage was set at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, and both teams had everything to play for.
Match Summary
This section gives a concise overview of both teams’ innings, standout performances, and the result.
Afghanistan Innings: 169/8 in 20 overs
- Mohammad Nabi played a blazing cameo: 60 off 22 balls, including five sixes in an over.
- Other contributions were limited; the team was precariously placed at several points during the innings.
Sri Lanka Innings: 171/4 in 18.4 overs
- Kusal Mendis anchored the chase with an unbeaten 74 off 53 balls.
Kamindu Mendis played a useful cameo down the order to finish the match. - The bowling attack from Sri Lanka was effective, especially Nuwan Thushara, who picked 4 wickets for 18 runs.
Result: Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets with 8 balls to spare, thus topping Group B.
Key Match Stats
Below are the key stats that shaped the game: team scores, top batting, and best bowling.
|
Team |
Score |
Overs |
Top Batter |
Best Bowler |
|
Afghanistan |
169/8 |
20.0 |
Mohammad Nabi – 60 off 22 |
— |
|
Sri Lanka |
171/4 |
18.4 |
Kusal Mendis – 74* off 53 |
Nuwan Thushara – 4/18 |
Key Highlights
Here are the turning points and defining moments of the match.
- Afghanistan looked to build momentum via Nabi’s destructive power-hitting, particularly in the final over where he smashed five sixes. But earlier loss of wickets kept them under pressure.
- Sri Lanka’s chase was anchored by Mendis, especially after early hiccups, maintaining composure under pressure and pacing the chase well.
- Thushara’s early breakthroughs with the ball gave Sri Lanka control, removing key batsmen at critical junctures.
- Afghanistan’s bowlers had patches of resistance but couldn’t contain the runs in death overs; some loose deliveries proved costly.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka delivered in a pressure match to seal their top spot in Group B. The win was built on a gem of an innings by Kusal Mendis, backed by incisive bowling from Thushara. Afghanistan, despite flashes of brilliance — especially Nabi’s fireworks — fell short. The result sees Sri Lanka move forward confidently, while Afghanistan exit the tournament. Bangladesh, by virtue of this outcome, also progressed to the Super Four.
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