Afghanistan elected to bat first under floodlights at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi aiming to qualify for the Super-four spot from Group B in Asia Cup 2025. Early momentum swung in favour of the visitors as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal added 26 and 32 runs respectively, but Sri Lanka struck back with Nuwan Thushara’s triple wicket burst. By the 10th over Afghanistan tottered at 63 for 3 with Ibrahim Zadran supplying the only resistance. The stage was set for a middle-order recovery until a breathtaking moment of fielding brilliance turned the tide decisively in Sri Lanka’s favour.

Kusal Perera’s spectacular juggle at the boundary line to dismiss Darwish Rasooli

On the third ball of the 11th over Dushmantha Chameera delivered a short, wide delivery pitched outside off stump inviting a big swing. Darwish Rasooli lunged skyward and unleashed a powerful slash only to thin-edge off his blade.

Kusal Perera stationed at deep third reacted instantly. He sprinted across the outfield, leapt high in full extension and clutched the ball against his chest before stumbling over the boundary rope. Undeterred, he hurled the ball back into play from beyond the rope, stepped inside the ropes and completed a sensational catch that left Rasooli in disbelief. The stadium erupted as Sri Lanka celebrated a textbook example of commitment and athleticism in the field.

Perera’s feat not only removed a set batter but also punctured any hopes of an Afghan revival. The wicket arrived at a critical juncture with Afghanistan 64 for 4 and still trailing the required run rate by a significant margin.

Here’s the video:

A stunner from Kusal Perera to send Darwish Rasooli packing 🚶

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Also WATCH: Kusal Perera grabs a screamer to remove Rahmanullah Gurbaz in SL vs AFG game

Afghanistan fights back with late flourish against Sri Lanka

Afghanistan posted 169/8 in their full quota of 20 overs, powered by a whirlwind 60 off 22 balls from Mohammad Nabi, laced with three fours and six sixes. Nabi’s onslaught rescued his team from a modest 79 for 6 after 12.1 overs, stitching an unbroken 50-run stand for the eighth wicket with Noor Ahmad to push the total past 160. Karim Janat and Ibrahim Zadran had fallen cheaply to Nuwan Thushara and Dunith Wellalage’s early spin, but Nabi’s brute force ensured Afghanistan had a defendable target.

By the 20-over mark, Sri Lanka’s bowlers had conceded 169 runs at 8.45, with their last five overs yielding 68 runs at 13.60. Dasun Shanaka’s medium pace and Wanindu Hasaranga’s leg-spin combined to keep the run rate in check, but Sri Lanka’s batting depth will be tested in the final stretch of the chase.

Also READ: SL vs AFG, Asia Cup 2025: Here’s why Maheesh Theekshana is not playing today’s match