Kusal Mendis Steals the Show as Sri Lanka Knock Afghanistan Out with Decisive Win

Sept 19 2025: Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in the 11th match of the Asia Cup 2025 on Thursday. This match made the Super Four picture clear. India and Pakistan qualified from Group A, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh moved ahead from Group B.

In the match, Afghanistan struggled against Nuwan Thushara’s fast bowling and scored 169 for eight. Mohammad Nabi hit an unbeaten half-century and helped the team reach a good score. Afghanistan was 79 for six in the 13th over, but Nabi (60) played an attacking innings in the last overs.

He made a 55-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Noor Ahmed (6 not out) in only 18 balls. Nabi scored most of the runs. Captain Rashid Khan (24) and Ibrahim Zadran (24) also added useful runs. Nabi smashed five sixes in one over of Dunith Welalage, scoring 32 runs, before being run out on the last ball of the innings. Thushara took four wickets for 18 runs in four overs.

Afghanistan Innings

Afghanistan added 49 runs in the last two overs. Captain Rashid Khan won the toss and chose to bat. But Nuwan Thushara gave Sri Lanka an early breakthrough, reducing Afghanistan to 40 for three. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (14) hit a four off Thushara, while Sediqullah Atal (18) struck a six and a four against Dushmantha Chameera.

Afghanistan scored 45 for three in the powerplay. Ibrahim Zadran (24) and Darwish Rasooli tried to steady the innings, taking the score past 50 in the eighth over. But Rasooli, under pressure, was caught by Perera off Chameera for 9 runs. Azmatullah Omarzai hit a six off Dasun Shanaka, but Afghanistan slipped to 71 for five in the 12th over. Nabi, dropped on 5 by Welalage, made full use of the chance. He hit a six off Chameera and later smashed three fours in the 19th over. In the 20th over, he hammered five sixes off Welalage and reached his fifty in 20 balls. Afghanistan ended with 169 for eight.

Sri Lanka Chase

Chasing 170, Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka early for 6. Mohammad Nabi dismissed Kamil Mishara for 4. Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis then added 45 runs for the third wicket before Mujeeb removed Perera (28 off 20). Kusal Mendis, who had failed in earlier matches, reached his fifty in 40 balls. Captain Charith Asalanka made 17 off 12.

After that, Sri Lanka did not lose more wickets. Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 74 off 52 balls. Kamindu Mendis scored 26 not out off 13 balls. Sri Lanka won by six wickets. For Afghanistan, Mujeeb, Omarzai, Nabi, and Noor Ahmed took one wicket each.