AFG vs SL Highlights: Sri Lanka Storm Into Super 4s, Afghanistan Crash Out Despite Nabi’s Fireworks

Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan in the last Group B match and booked their place in the Super 4s. The win also helped Bangladesh go through, which surely made the Tigers happy as they watched from their hotel. For Afghanistan, it was heartbreak as their tournament ended here, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh moved forward from Group B.

Afghanistan opted to bat first and came out blazing, racing to 26 in just two overs with some fearless hitting. However, Sri Lanka hit back hard through Nuwan Thushara, who struck twice in the third over to remove Gurbaz and Karim Janat, before returning to clean up Sediqullah Atal. From a flying start, Afghanistan slipped into trouble, losing three quick wickets to be 45/3 at the end of the powerplay, with Thushara dismantling the top order almost single-handedly.

The slide continued as the middle order failed to find any momentum, leaving Afghanistan stranded at 79/6. Skipper Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi then tried to revive the innings with a fighting 35-run stand, but just as it began to settle, Thushara struck again to send Rashid back for 24. At 120/7 by the 18th over, the innings looked destined for a below-par finish.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh reach Super 4s, Afghanistan exit

But Mohammad Nabi had other plans. Dropped on 5 by Wellalage, the veteran seized the lifeline and launched a breathtaking counterattack. He exploded in the final overs, smashing 19 runs in the 19th and then tearing apart the 20th over for 32 runs. Nabi roared to the joint-fastest fifty in Asia Cup history, transforming Afghanistan’s innings from a position of despair to a fighting total of 169/8, a score that suddenly gave them real hope.

Afghanistan made an early dent when Azmatullah Omarzai removed the in-form Pathum Nissanka for just 5, but they couldn’t capitalize on that opening. Loose bowling in the powerplay allowed Sri Lanka to gain momentum, with Kusal Mendis taking control and anchoring the innings while Kamil Mishara struggled at the other end before falling cheaply. By the end of the powerplay, Sri Lanka were cruising at 53/2, with the required rate well under control and despite a couple of breakthroughs in the middle overs, Afghanistan couldn’t keep the pressure on.

The lack of discipline showed as the innings progressed, with Sri Lanka’s senior men ensuring there were no late hiccups. Kusal Perera and Charith Asalanka chipped in with handy contributions before Kusal Mendis took charge to finish things off. He remained unbeaten on a classy 74 off 52 balls, supported by Kamindu Mendis’ brisk 26 off 13, as Sri Lanka sealed the chase with 6 wickets in hand and 8 balls to spare. 

It’s celebration time for the Lankans, and the cheer will be just as loud in the Bangladesh camp, as both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh march into the Super 4s from Group B.

Asia Cup 2025: Group A Points Table

Asia Cup 2025: Group B Points Table

Asia Cup 2025: Super Four

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