Sri Lanka sealed a vital six-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the 11th match of Asia Cup 2025 Group B at Abu Dhabi on September 18, ending Afghanistan’s campaign and booking their Super Four spot. Afghanistan managed 169 for eight after being 79 for six but Mohammad Nabi’s blistering 60 off 22 balls revived their innings. In reply Sri Lanka chased down 170 with eight balls to spare as Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 74 off 52 balls to steer his side home.

Nuwan Thushara’s brilliance with the ball and Mohammad Nabi’s explosive rescue act in first innings

Afghanistan’s top order collapsed against Sri Lanka’s swing and spin attack, tumbling to 79 for six in 12.1 overs. Nuwan Thushara led the charge with four wickets for 18 runs. Then veteran all-rounder Nabi launched one of the tournament’s most dramatic knocks. His 60 came off 22 deliveries at a strike rate of 272.72 featuring three fours and six sixes.

Five consecutive maximums off Dunith Wellalage in the 20th over produced 32 runs, the most expensive over in Sri Lankan T20I history. Nabi became the third-oldest player to score a T20I fifty after turning 40 and equalled Afghanistan’s fastest fifty record in T20Is. His late-order partnership with Noor Ahmad helped Afghanistan post a competitive 169 for eight.

Kusal Mendis’s clinical chase takes Sri Lanka over the line against Afghanistan

Chasing 170, Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka early but settled as Kusal anchored the innings. He struck 10 fours in an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls. After bringing up his fifty off 40 balls Kusal rotated strike cleverly and punished loose deliveries. Kusal Perera chipped in with 28 off 20 before falling in the 12th over while captain Charith Asalanka added 17 off 12. Kamindu Mendis finished with an unbeaten 26 off 13 to complete the chase in 18.4 overs. Afghanistan bowlers Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad troubled the batters but could not halt Sri Lanka’s momentum.

The win confirmed Sri Lanka’s place in the Super Four as Group B winners with six points. Afghanistan’s hopes ended with just two points from three games despite opening with a dominant win over Hong Kong. The result sets up Sri Lanka for a crucial Super Four campaign while Afghanistan exit a tournament that promised much but ended in heartbreak.

Also WATCH: Nuwan Thushara cleans up Karim Janat with an absolute jaffa in SL vs AFG Asia Cup 2025 clash

Here’s how fans reacted:

Mendis Special.. Kusal+Kamindu Mendis Supported.. Slinga Malinga Vibes from Nuwan Thushara.. 🔥Epic Sri Lanka Win despite Nabi Show..
Well Done Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
Simply Outstanding 🫶🙏🫡🔥#AsiaCup2025 #SLvAFG

— Varuna Gunawardena (@VarunaGune) September 18, 2025

📢📢:MILESTONE UNLOCKED
Nuwan Thushara breaked the record of best bowling figures for SriLanka in AsiaCup T20Is
by picking up 4 wickets for 18 runs in four overs. #AsiaCup2025 #MohammadNabi #NuwanThushara pic.twitter.com/dvsZBu19JA

— WORLD CRICKET UPDATES (@CricketUpdater9) September 18, 2025

4-0-18-4 🔥

What a spell for RCB blood Nuwan Thushara against Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/9XSGF7IhU1

— Lokesh Saini (@LokeshVirat18K) September 18, 2025

NUWAN THUSHARA TAKES FOUR WICKETS AGAINST AFGANISTAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OUTSTANDING BOWLING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/zgEJItrywP

— The Cricline | 𝐓𝐂 (@TheCriclineX) September 18, 2025

Kusal Mendis shines with a stellar performance and bags the Player of the Match award! 🌟🏏🏆#KusalMendis #SLvsAFG #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/J1HklB4HJi

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 18, 2025

🇱🇰 SRI LANKA EDGE OUT AFGHANISTAN BY 6 WICKETS!
Kusal Mendis 🔥 74 (52) anchors the chase as SL hunts down 170 in 18.4 overs
Nabi’s late fireworks (60 off 22) weren’t enough to save AFG 💥
Sri Lanka seals Super Four spot alongside Bangladesh#SLvsAFG #AsiaCup2025 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/UZaaSpdg50

— Uttam kumar sah (@uttam_kr_sah) September 18, 2025

Fine knock from Kusal Mendis to hold Sri Lanka’s chase together and take them home – 74* (52) !! #SLvsAFG #SLvAFG #AFGvSL #AFGvsSL

pic.twitter.com/YdnOtmuUMd

— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng) September 18, 2025

Highest Scores in Successful run chases in T20 Asia Cup:

74* – Kusal Mendis vs AFG (Today)
71 – Mohammad Rizwan vs IND (2022)
68 – Pathum Nissanka vs HK (2025)
63 – Shoaib malik vs U.A.E (2016)
63 – Noor Ali Zadran vs Oman (2016) pic.twitter.com/UJuJLLPf63

— Abdul Rehman Yaseen (@Aryaseen5911) September 18, 2025

Clutch by Kusal Mendis..
What a player! #AFGvSL pic.twitter.com/sdTqalLU4c

— 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒑𝒊𝒐 (@onlysohail_) September 18, 2025

Kusal Mendis is pumped up after that win. 🥶

What a knock from him. 74*(52)🔥#SLvAFG #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #AsiaCup2025 #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/3pTYYqLHGN

— Cricholic Mrigankaaaa🇮🇳❤️ (@MSDianMrigu) September 18, 2025

Also WATCH: Kusal Perera’s stunning grab sends Darwish Rasooli packing in SL vs AFG clash