Abu Dhabi, September 19, (Sports Desk)
In a high-stakes Group B decider at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Sri Lanka secured their Super Four berth with a composed six-wicket win over Afghanistan, chasing down 170 with eight balls to spare. Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74 off 52 balls anchored a clinical chase, overshadowing Mohammad Nabi’s explosive 60 off 22 balls that propelled Afghanistan to 169/8 after a middle-order collapse. Nuwan Thushara’s 4/18 earned him Player of the Match honors, as Sri Lanka topped Group B with three wins from three, while also confirming Bangladesh’s qualification. Afghanistan, despite Nabi’s heroics, were eliminated with two points. Sri Lanka’s NRR now stands at +1.800, setting up intriguing Super Four clashes.
Toss and Pitch Report
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bat first on a batting-friendly Abu Dhabi pitch that offered early bounce but flattened out under lights, favoring aggressive strokeplay in the death overs. Dew was minimal, making 160-170 a par score. Weather was clear and humid, with no interruptions. Afghanistan made two changes, bringing in Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Darwish Rasooli for AM Ghazanfar and Gulbadin Naib; Sri Lanka drafted Dunith Wellalage for Maheesh Theekshana.
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara. Afghanistan Playing XI: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
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Afghanistan Innings: Nabi’s Late Fireworks Rescue 169/8
Afghanistan slumped to 79/6 before Mohammad Nabi’s blistering 60 off 22 balls (6×6, 3×4) engineered a stunning recovery, propelling them to 169/8. Openers Sediqullah Atal (6 off 5) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (12 off 10) added 18 before Nuwan Thushara’s lethal swing dismissed both in his opening over—Atal bowled, Gurbaz caught behind. Ibrahim Zadran (8 off 9) and Gulbadin Naib (2 off 3) fell cheaply to Thushara (4/18), leaving Afghanistan at 28/4 in 4.3 overs.
Darwish Rasooli (24 off 23) and Azmatullah Omarzai (10 off 12) added 34, but Dushmantha Chameera (1/17) and Dunith Wellalage (1/49) struck. Karim Janat (0 off 1) was run out, and Rashid Khan (24 off 23) fell to Wanindu Hasaranga. Nabi then unleashed chaos, smashing five sixes off Wellalage’s final over (including three consecutive) and a fourth off Chameera’s penultimate, adding 90 in the last seven overs. Afghanistan hit 10 boundaries and 10 sixes, but early damage limited their total.
Key Performances (Afghanistan Batting)
- Mohammad Nabi: 60 (22 balls, 3×4, 6×6) – Explosive rescue; near-record over.
- Darwish Rasooli: 24 (23 balls, 2×4) – Stabilized middle order.
- Overall: Collapse to 79/6; late surge boosted score.
Sri Lanka Bowling
- Nuwan Thushara: 4/18 (4 overs) – Lethal swing; powerplay demolition.
- Wanindu Hasaranga: 1/25 (4 overs) – Googly variations; dismissed Rashid.
- Dunith Wellalage: 1/49 (4 overs) – Conceded heavily but took Nabi’s wicket.
Sri Lanka Innings: Mendis Anchors Comfortable Chase
Sri Lanka chased 170 with ease, reaching 171/4 in 18.4 overs. Pathum Nissanka (6 off 5) fell early to Azmatullah Omarzai, caught at mid-on. Kusal Mendis (74* off 52, 6×4, 2×6) and Kamil Mishara (10 off 12) added 22 before Noor Ahmad bowled Mishara. Kusal Perera (15 off 14) and Charith Asalanka (12 off 10) fell to Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi, leaving Sri Lanka at 65/3 in 9 overs.
Dasun Shanaka (20 off 18) and Kusal rebuilt with 45, but Rashid Khan (2/25) dismissed Shanaka. Kamindu Mendis (26* off 13, 1×4, 2×6) then accelerated, smashing sixes off Noor and Farooqi to ease pressure, adding an unbroken 52 with Kusal (sweeps and pulls key). Sri Lanka hit 12 boundaries and 4 sixes.
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Key Performances (Sri Lanka Batting)
- Kusal Mendis: 74* (52 balls, 6×4, 2×6) – Composed anchor; navigated spin.
- Kamindu Mendis: 26* (13 balls, 1×4, 2×6) – Crucial finish.
- Overall: Steady chase; partnerships sealed win.
Afghanistan Bowling
- Rashid Khan: 2/25 (4 overs) – Googlies effective; middle-order strikes.
- Noor Ahmad: 1/35 (4 overs) – Leaked late runs.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman: 1/28 (4 overs) – Early wicket but contained.
Post-Match Comments
- Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka Captain): “Kusal’s maturity was key against our spinners. Nabi’s knock was special, but we executed well.”
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan Captain): “Nabi gave us hope, but we collapsed early. Credit to Thushara—tough exit.”
- Nuwan Thushara (Player of the Match): “Early wickets set the tone. Proud to contribute to the win.”
Impact and Outlook
Sri Lanka (3 wins, +1.800 NRR) and Bangladesh (2 wins) advance to Super Four; Afghanistan (1 win) eliminated. Super Four begins September 20 with India-Pakistan. The match, streamed on SonyLIV, drew 28,000 fans.
Key Stats
- Nabi’s 60 (22 balls): Fastest 50 vs Sri Lanka in T20Is (15 balls).
- Thushara’s 4/18: Best figures in Asia Cup for Sri Lanka.
- Mendis’ 74*: 5th T20I fifty; anchors 3rd chase in row.
Sri Lanka’s composure trumps Afghanistan’s fireworks, keeping Group B’s “group of death” alive till the end.
