Sri Lanka cruised to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their crucial Asia Cup 2025 Group B encounter at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 74 off 52 balls to guide his team home with 8 balls to spare, ensuring the Islanders finished top of Group B with a perfect record.
The Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan result means the defending champions advance to the Super Four stage alongside Bangladesh, while Afghanistan’s Asia Cup campaign comes to an end despite their impressive T20 World Cup semi-final finish earlier this year.
Match Details
Date: September 18, 2025 Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tournament: Asia Cup 2025 – Group B (11th Match) Toss: Afghanistan won and elected to bat first
Key Moments That Defined the Match
Powerplay Struggles and Recovery
Afghanistan got off to a shaky start in their powerplay overs, struggling against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack. The Afghan batsmen found it difficult to score freely in the initial six overs, putting pressure on the middle order to accelerate later in the innings.
Middle Overs Collapse
The Afghan innings was in complete disarray at 114/6 in the 17th over, with Sri Lanka’s bowlers maintaining tight control over the proceedings. Nuwan Thushara was particularly effective with the ball, consistently troubling the Afghan batsmen with his variations and accurate line and length.
Nabi’s Last-Gasp Heroics
Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi produced a stunning counter-attack, smashing an unbeaten 60 off just 22 balls to rescue Afghanistan from certain disaster. Nabi and Afghanistan scored a massive 49 runs off the final two overs, completely changing the complexion of the innings and giving the team a fighting chance.
Scorecard Summary
Afghanistan Innings: 169/8 (20 Overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Nabi | 60* | 22 | 4 | 5 | 272.73 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 28 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 116.67 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 22 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 122.22 |
Sri Lanka Innings: 170/4 (18.4 Overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kusal Mendis | 74* | 52 | 8 | 2 | 142.31 |
| Pathum Nissanka | 35 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Charith Asalanka | 28 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 127.27 |
Last 6 Overs Runboard
| Overs | Runs | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| 15-16 | 18 | Mendis reaches fifty |
| 16-17 | 12 | Steady partnership building |
| 17-18 | 15 | Acceleration begins |
| 18-19 | 22 | Mendis hits crucial boundaries |
| 19-20 | 16 | Victory sealed with ease |
| Total | 83 | Sri Lanka home comfortably |
Top Performers
Sri Lanka:
- Kusal Mendis — 74* (52), 8×4, 2×6
- Pathum Nissanka — 35 (28), 4×4, 1×6
- Nuwan Thushara — 3/28 (4 overs)
- Wanindu Hasaranga — 2/32 (4 overs)
Afghanistan:
- Mohammad Nabi — 60* (22), 4×4, 5×6
- Ibrahim Zadran — 28 (24), 3×4, 1×6
- Azmatullah Omarzai — 1/10 (2 overs)
- Noor Ahmad — 1/35 (4 overs)
Player Reactions
“It was important for us to finish the group stage unbeaten,” said Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka after the victory. “Kusal played a fantastic innings under pressure, and our bowling unit showed great character throughout the tournament. We’re looking forward to the Super Four stage.”
Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan remained philosophical about the defeat: “Credit to Sri Lanka for playing good cricket. Nabi’s innings gave us hope, but we couldn’t maintain the pressure with the ball. We’ll learn from this experience and come back stronger.”
Match Summary
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 169 | 8 | 20.0 | Lost by 6 wickets |
| Sri Lanka | 170 | 4 | 18.4 | Won by 6 wickets |
What’s Next
With this Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan result, the Super Four lineup is now complete. Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh in their opening Super Four match on Saturday, September 20 in Dubai, while the other semi-final spot will be contested between India and Pakistan from Group A.
The Islanders’ comprehensive victory showcases their title credentials as they enter the business end of the tournament. Their balanced team composition and consistent performances make them strong contenders for back-to-back Asia Cup triumphs.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s six-wicket triumph over Afghanistan was a statement victory that highlighted their depth and composure under pressure. Despite Nabi’s late heroics with the bat, the Islanders never looked troubled in their chase, with Mendis anchoring the innings brilliantly to ensure a comfortable passage to the next round.