Sri Lanka booked their place in the Asia Cup Super Four with a clinical six-wicket win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, a result that ended Afghanistan’s campaign. The match was a high-pressure clash with a knockout feel, and Sri Lanka handled the occasion far better, chasing down 170 with seven balls to spare.
Afghanistan, batting first, were rocked early by Nuwan Thushara’s fiery spell that reduced them to 114-7 in the 17th over. However, veteran Mohammad Nabi gave them late hope by smashing five sixes in the final over, lifting the total to 169/8 — a competitive score on a good batting track. Nabi’s onslaught added urgency to the game and briefly swung momentum back towards Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka’s chase started steadily, with openers laying a decent platform despite Afghanistan’s spinners keeping things tight. The star of the evening was Kusal Mendis, who played a composed yet authoritative innings, finishing unbeaten on 74 from 52 balls. Mendis rotated strike cleverly and chose his moments to attack, particularly neutralizing the threat of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad. His calmness under pressure ensured Sri Lanka never lost control of the chase.
Supporting cameos from Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama kept the required rate within reach, and Sri Lanka’s batting depth meant they didn’t panic even when Afghanistan briefly struck with quick wickets. In the end, Mendis finished the job with a flurry of boundaries, sealing the win comfortably.
The victory underlined Sri Lanka’s ability to chase under pressure, a crucial quality heading into the tougher Super Four stage. Their bowlers, led by Thushara, set the tone early, and their fielding was sharp — holding key catches to deny Afghanistan any momentum in the middle overs.
For Afghanistan, this was a bitter defeat. Nabi’s late heroics provided a glimmer of hope, but the collapse in the top and middle order was costly. The lack of partnerships meant Afghanistan were always playing catch-up, and their bowling lacked the bite needed to defend the target. Rashid Khan was economical but went wicketless, which dented their chances further.
With this result, Sri Lanka progress alongside Bangladesh from Group B, carrying momentum and confidence into the next stage. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will head home knowing they had the talent to go further but failed to string together consistent performances when it mattered.
Sri Lanka’s focus now shifts to their opening Super Four clash, where they will look to maintain their composure and continue their winning streak. If Kusal Mendis and the bowling unit keep performing at this level, Sri Lanka will be a serious threat to any team in the tournament.
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