Sri Lanka crushed Afghanistan’s Asia Cup 2025 dreams with a clinical chase and a fiery bowling display. Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74 and Nuwan Thushara’s four wickets powered Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win, sending Bangladesh into the Super Four alongside them.
Mendis anchors the chase
Kusal Mendis was flawless. His 74 off 52 balls guided Sri Lanka through a tricky chase. He swept, pulled, and rotated strike against Afghanistan’s spinners, holding the innings together.
Sri Lanka lost early wickets — Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara both gone in the powerplay — but Mendis stayed calm. Partnerships of 22, 25, 45, 27 and 52* saw the team home with eight balls to spare.
Kamindu Mendis finishes strong
With 48 needed off the last five overs, Kamindu Mendis stepped up. He smashed two clutch sixes, one off Noor Ahmad, another off Fazalhaq Farooqi, to ease pressure. His 26 off 13 balls allowed Kusal to anchor the innings until the end.
Nuwan Thushara lights up the powerplay
Before the chase, Sri Lanka’s bowlers dominated. Nuwan Thushara produced a sensational spell of 4 for 18. He swung the ball both ways, tearing through Afghanistan’s top order with three powerplay wickets and one at the death.
Dushmantha Chameera went for 50 in his four overs but bowled with intent, while Wanindu Hasaranga delivered four tight overs for just 18 runs.
Mohammad Nabi’s explosive cameo
Just as Afghanistan looked buried, Mohammad Nabi changed the script. He launched five sixes in one over off Dunith Wellalage, scoring 60 off 22 balls. Along with 49 runs in the last two overs, Afghanistan clawed to a fighting total.
But the damage had been done early. With Sri Lanka’s bowlers controlling the first 18 overs, Nabi’s late surge was not enough to stop elimination.
Sri Lanka’s bowling strategy pays off
Captain Charith Asalanka used his bowlers smartly. He bowled Thushara’s third over in the powerplay, chasing early wickets, and let Dasun Shanaka absorb middle-over pressure. It worked. Afghanistan’s top order cracked, leaving Nabi too much to do at the end.
Even though Wellalage’s last over went for 32, Sri Lanka’s disciplined attack ensured the match stayed in their control.
Key takeaways
- Kusal Mendis was player of the match with 74 off 52 balls*.
- Nuwan Thushara broke the back of Afghanistan’s innings with 4 for 18.
- Mohammad Nabi’s 60 off 22 balls was Afghanistan’s only major highlight.
- Sri Lanka and Bangladesh qualify for the Super Four from Group B.
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