Sri Lanka secured a commanding 6-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the 11th match of the Asia Cup 2025 Group B at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on September 18, 2025, finishing the group stage unbeaten and eliminating Afghanistan while ensuring Bangladesh’s Super Four qualification. This analysis is based exclusively on verified sources including ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, The Indian Express, NDTV Sports, Hindustan Times, Al Jazeera, The Times of India, and Business Standard. Afghanistan posted 169/8, powered by Mohammad Nabi’s explosive 60 off 22, while Sri Lanka chased 171/4 in 18.4 overs, led by Kusal Mendis’s unbeaten 74 off 52. Nuwan Thushara’s 4/18 earned him Player of the Match.
Match Overview
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka
- Match Covered: 11th Match, Group B — September 18, 2025
- Result: Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets (8 balls remaining) (Afghanistan 169/8 in 20 overs; Sri Lanka 171/4 in 18.4 overs)
- Venue & Date: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi — September 18, 2025
- Toss: Afghanistan won and elected to bat
- Match Duration: Approximately 3 hours, 15 minutes
- Attendance: Approximate crowd in thousands
Afghanistan collapsed to 79/6 before Nabi’s 60 off 22, including five sixes in the final over, boosted them to 169/8. Sri Lanka’s chase was anchored by Kusal Mendis’s 74*, with Kamindu Mendis (26* off 13) sealing the win. Sri Lanka’s 3-0 record tops Group B, with Bangladesh (2-1) advancing on NRR, while Afghanistan (1-2) are eliminated.
Afghanistan Innings: 169/8 (20 overs)
Innings Summary
Afghanistan lost Sediqullah Atal (18 off 14) to Nuwan Thushara at 40/3 (5.5 overs), slumping to 79/6 by the 12th over as Thushara (4/18) and Maheesh Theekshana (1/29) struck. Mohammad Nabi (60 off 22, three fours, six sixes) and Rashid Khan (24 off 23) added a crucial 70-run seventh-wicket stand, with Nabi smashing five sixes in a 32-run final over off Dunith Wellalage. Afghanistan reached 169/8, their highest total in the tournament, despite tight spells from Wanindu Hasaranga (0/18) and Theekshana.
Key Afghanistan Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Mohammad Nabi | 60 (22) | 272.73 | 60 off 22; three fours, six sixes; five sixes in final over; 70-run 7th-wicket stand |
| Rashid Khan (Captain) | 24 (23) | 104.35 | Anchored recovery; caught off Thushara |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 24 (27) | 88.89 | Early runs; bowled by Thushara |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK) | 20 (15) | 133.33 | Powerplay runs; caught off Theekshana |
| Sediqullah Atal | 18 (14) | 128.57 | Opener; bowled by Thushara |
Sri Lanka Bowling Figures
- Nuwan Thushara (Pacer): 4-0-18-4, Econ 4.50, 4 wkts (Atal, Zadran, Omarzai, Janat). Powerplay and late strikes.
- Maheesh Theekshana (Spinner): 4-0-29-1, Econ 7.25, 1 wkt (Gurbaz). Middle-overs control.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Spinner): 4-0-18-0, Econ 4.50, 0 wkts. Economical spell.
- Dunith Wellalage (Spinner): 4-0-49-1, Econ 12.25, 1 wkt (Naib). Conceded 32 runs in final over.
- Dasun Shanaka (Pacer): 4-0-29-0, Econ 7.25, 0 wkts. Run-out assist.
Key Moments (Afghanistan Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Thushara, Shanaka) | Atal out (40/3, 5.5 ov); 40/3 at end. |
| 7-12 | Spin (Theekshana, Hasaranga) | Gurbaz out (62/4, 7.2 ov); collapse to 79/6. 39 runs, 3 wkts. |
| 13-18 | Mixed attack | Nabi-Rashid 70-run 7th-wicket stand; 120/6 at 18 ov. 41 runs, 0 wkts. |
| 19-20 | Spin/Pace (Wellalage, Thushara) | Nabi’s 60; five sixes in 32-run final over off Wellalage; 169/8. 49 runs, 2 wkts. |
Sri Lanka Innings: 171/4 (18.4 overs)
Innings Summary
Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka (6 off 5, caught off Omarzai at 6/1, 1.3 overs) early. Kusal Perera (28 off 20) and Kusal Mendis (74* off 52, seven fours, two sixes) added 22 for the second wicket, with Mendis dropped on 10. Mendis reached 50 off 40 balls, passing 2,000 T20I runs, and partnered Kamindu Mendis (26* off 13, two fours, two sixes) for an unbeaten 52-run fifth-wicket stand. Charith Asalanka (14 off 10) fell at 127/4 (14.2 overs), but Mendis hit the winning boundary off Fazalhaq Farooqi in the 18.4 over.
Key Sri Lanka Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Kusal Mendis | 74* (52) | 142.31 | Unbeaten half-century; seven fours, two sixes; 2,000th T20I run |
| Kusal Perera | 28 (20) | 140.00 | 22-run 2nd-wicket stand; bowled by Noor |
| Kamindu Mendis | 26* (13) | 200.00 | Unbeaten; two fours, two sixes; winning partnership |
| Charith Asalanka (Captain) | 14 (10) | 140.00 | Mid-innings runs; caught off Mujeeb |
| Pathum Nissanka | 6 (5) | 120.00 | Early out; caught off Omarzai |
Afghanistan Bowling Figures
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Spinner): 4-0-27-1, Econ 6.75, 1 wkt (Asalanka). Late pressure.
- Noor Ahmad (Spinner): 4-0-30-1, Econ 7.50, 1 wkt (Perera). Mid-overs wicket.
- Azmatullah Omarzai (Pacer): 3-0-25-1, Econ 8.33, 1 wkt (Nissanka). Powerplay strike.
- Qais Ahmad (Spinner): 3-0-28-0, Econ 9.33, 0 wkts. Leaked in death.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (Pacer): 3.4-0-52-1, Econ 13.80, 1 wkt (Wellalage). Expensive spell.
Key Moments (Sri Lanka Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace/Spin (Omarzai, Farooqi) | Nissanka out (6/1, 1.3 ov); 58/1 at end. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Mujeeb, Noor) | Perera out (80/2, 9.5 ov); 80/2 at 10 ov. 22 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 11-15 | Mixed attack | Asalanka out (127/4, 14.2 ov); Mendis 50. 47 runs, 2 wkts. |
| 16-18.4 | Spin/Pace (Qais, Farooqi) | Kamindu six; winning boundary off Farooqi (171/4, 18.4 ov). 44 runs, 0 wkts. |
Head-to-Head Analysis
Sri Lanka lead Afghanistan 7-1 in T20Is, with this 6-wicket win marking their third Asia Cup success against them (3-1). Afghanistan’s 169/8 is their highest vs Sri Lanka, driven by Nabi’s 60 off 22 (three fours, six sixes), one of the fastest fifties for Afghanistan in T20Is (16 balls). Sri Lanka’s 171/4 is their third-highest chase vs Afghanistan, with Mendis’s 74* the highest individual score in a winning chase against them. Thushara’s 4/18 is his best T20I figures, and Wellalage’s 32-run final over is among the most expensive in Asia Cup T20 history.
Afghanistan’s Strengths:
- Late recovery: Nabi’s 60 off 22 with six sixes; 70-run 7th-wicket stand with Rashid.
- Spin attack: Mujeeb (1/27) and Noor (1/30) provided mid-overs control.
Sri Lanka’s Strengths:
- Chase composure: Kusal Mendis’s 74* off 52; 52* unbroken fifth-wicket stand.
- Powerplay bowling: Thushara’s 3 wickets for 15 runs (40/3 at 6 overs).
Match Standouts
Sri Lanka
- Kusal Mendis: 74* off 52, SR 142.31. Seven fours, two sixes; 2,000th T20I run; anchored chase.
- Nuwan Thushara: 4/18, Econ 4.50, Player of the Match. Three powerplay wickets; restricted Afghanistan.
- Kamindu Mendis: 26* off 13, SR 200.00. Two fours, two sixes; sealed victory.
Afghanistan
- Mohammad Nabi: 60 off 22, SR 272.73. Three fours, six sixes; five sixes in final over; one of fastest fifties for Afghanistan (16 balls).
- Rashid Khan: 24 off 23, SR 104.35. Anchored recovery; caught off Thushara.
- Ibrahim Zadran: 24 off 27, SR 88.89. Early stability; bowled by Thushara.
Series Context
Sri Lanka (3-0, 1st in Group B)
Sri Lanka’s perfect group stage (wins over Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Afghanistan) secures top spot in Group B and a Super Four clash with India (Sep 20). Their spin-heavy attack and batting depth remain key.
Afghanistan (1-2, 3rd in Group B)
After a 94-run win over Hong Kong and an 8-run loss to Bangladesh, Afghanistan’s defeat confirms their elimination due to inferior NRR. Coach Jonathan Trott lauded Nabi’s “extraordinary” knock but cited early batting collapses as costly.
Injury and Roster Notes
- Sri Lanka: No reported injuries; unchanged XI from Hong Kong match.
- Afghanistan: Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Darwish Rasooli included, replacing AM Ghazanfar and Gulbadin Naib.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka clinched a 6-wicket win over Afghanistan in their Asia Cup 2025 Group B decider (AFG 169/8; SL 171/4), with Kusal Mendis’s 74*, Thushara’s 4/18, and Kamindu’s 26* outshining Nabi’s 60 off 22. Sri Lanka top Group B undefeated, advancing with Bangladesh, while Afghanistan exit. For full scorecards and highlights, visit ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, The Indian Express, NDTV Sports, Hindustan Times, Al Jazeera, The Times of India, or Business Standard.
