Kusal Mendis Stars as Sri Lanka’s Victory Knocks Afghanistan Out
ABU DHABI – The Asia Cup 2025 group stage concluded with a thrilling contest in Abu Dhabi, where Sri Lanka secured a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan, thereby ensuring their own progression and that of Bangladesh into the Super Four stage. The result eliminates Afghanistan from the tournament despite a heroic late-order blitz from Mohammad Nabi.
Chasing a target of 170, Sri Lanka’s path to the Super Fours was secured with a perfectly paced chase, anchored by opener Kusal Mendis. He was the star of the show, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs off 52 balls, guiding his team to victory with eight balls to spare. Sri Lanka needed just 101 runs to qualify on a better net run-rate, but they went on to win the match comfortably, securing their third consecutive win in Group B.
Earlier in the match, Afghanistan looked to be in deep trouble after slipping to 79/6. However, a stunning counter-attack by veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi turned the innings on its head. Nabi smashed a blistering 60 off just 22 balls, which included five consecutive sixes off the first five balls of the 20th over bowled by Dunith Wellalage. Despite being run out on the final ball of the innings, his explosive knock lifted Afghanistan to a competitive total of 169-8.
With this result, Sri Lanka finish at the top of Group B with six points, while Bangladesh, with two wins from their three matches, finish second. They will now join Group A qualifiers India and Pakistan in the Super Four round-robin stage.
The Super Four stage is set to begin on Saturday with a clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Dubai. The cricketing world is also eagerly anticipating the high-stakes rematch between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on Sunday, September 21, in Dubai. The top two teams from the Super Four stage will then face off in the final on September 28.
