T20 Asia Cup 2025: Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka

The Great Escape: Sri Lanka's Thrilling Victory Knocks Afghanistan Out of Asia Cup

If you're looking for a match that had everything—high-quality batting, brilliant bowling, and a final act so suspenseful it belonged in a movie—then you've come to the right place. Yesterday’s clash between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi was a nail-biter that had fans of both teams on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.

This wasn't just a group stage game; it was a do-or-die battle for a spot in the Super Four. With a win, Sri Lanka would top Group B and Bangladesh would qualify alongside them, sending Afghanistan packing. The stakes were impossibly high, and both teams delivered a spectacle that lived up to the occasion.

Relive the nail-biting Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka T20 Asia Cup 2025 match. Our report includes the final score, top player stats, and all the drama from the last-over thriller.

A Tale of Two Innings: From Steady Build-up to Unbelievable Carnage

Winning the toss and choosing to bat, Afghanistan's captain, Rashid Khan, had a clear plan. However, the plan didn't quite go as intended. Sri Lanka's bowlers, especially the pace sensation Nuwan Thushara, were on fire. Thushara, with his slingy action and raw pace, tore through the top order, taking three crucial wickets inside the powerplay. Afghanistan found themselves in a deep hole, struggling at 79 for 6 in the 13th over. The game looked all but over.

But in T20 cricket, you can never count a team out. From what seemed like the abyss, a hero emerged. The ever-dependable veteran Mohammad Nabi, often hailed as the "President" by his fans, took matters into his own hands. He unleashed a furious assault in the final overs, turning the impossible into a real possibility. In a moment of pure genius and audacity, Nabi smashed a staggering five sixes in a single over off the bowling of Dunith Wellalage, collecting a jaw-dropping 32 runs. His 22-ball-60 was a masterclass in clean hitting and a display of raw power that catapulted Afghanistan from a dire situation to a competitive total of 169 for 8. It was the kind of innings that lives in cricketing folklore and gave his team a fighting chance.

The Chase: A Mendis Masterclass Anchors the Ship

Chasing 170 to win and book their Super Four ticket, Sri Lanka knew they had a fight on their hands. Their start was wobbly, losing opener Pathum Nissanka early. But then came the man of the hour, Kusal Mendis. Showing a maturity that belied his age, Mendis anchored the entire chase. He navigated the treacherous spells from Afghanistan's spinners, playing a smart, calculated innings that was all about finding gaps and rotating the strike.

While his partners—Kusal Perera and Charith Asalanka—chipped in with quick-fire cameos, it was Mendis who was the glue that held the innings together. He played a patient yet aggressive knock, never letting the required run rate get out of control. His ability to find boundaries at key moments kept the pressure off his partners and slowly but surely brought the target within reach.

The final few overs were a study in composure. With the tension at its peak, Mendis didn't flinch. He and the young Kamindu Mendis sealed the deal with a fantastic 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Kusal Mendis finished with a magnificent, unbeaten 74 off just 52 balls, a knock that was hailed as a tactical masterpiece. It was a perfectly timed innings that saw him hit ten fours and play a huge role in his team's memorable win.

The Verdict and What Comes Next

In the end, Sri Lanka won by six wickets, with eight balls to spare. It was a well-deserved victory that not only secured their top spot in the group but also sent a clear message to the other teams: they are a force to be reckoned with. For Afghanistan, the defeat was heartbreaking. Despite the heroics of Mohammad Nabi and their star spinners, they lacked the disciplined batting to close out the match. The loss means their Asia Cup journey has come to an end, a bitter pill to swallow for a team that has shown so much promise.

For the Sri Lankan team, the win was a massive confidence booster. They now march into the Super Four with an unbeaten record, their eyes firmly set on the title.

Statistical Highlights:

• Toss: Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat.

• Final Score: Sri Lanka 171/4 (18.4 overs) defeated Afghanistan 169/8 (20 overs).

• Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) for his match-winning knock of 74* (52).

Key Performances:

• Mohammad Nabi (AFG): 60 runs off 22 balls, including 3 fours and 6 sixes.

• Nuwan Thushara (SL): 4 wickets for just 18 runs.

• Kusal Mendis (SL): 74* runs off 52 balls, with 10 fours.

• Kamindu Mendis (SL): 26 runs off 13 balls, with 2 sixes.