Fri Sep 19 18:40:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Afghanistan’s Asia Cup 2025 journey ended in the group stage after a six-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. Despite Mohammad Nabi’s explosive late-innings hitting, Sri Lanka chased down the target of 170 with ease, thanks to Kusal Mendis’s unbeaten 74. Sri Lanka secured their spot in the Super 4 stage alongside Bangladesh, while Afghanistan’s hopes were dashed. Sri Lanka’s strong bowling performance early in the game restricted Afghanistan’s batting lineup, and their chase was well-paced and controlled, leading to a comfortable victory.

**News Article:**

**Sri Lanka Knocks Afghanistan Out of Asia Cup with Convincing Win**

Abu Dhabi – Sri Lanka delivered a decisive blow to Afghanistan’s Asia Cup campaign on Thursday, securing a six-wicket victory that eliminated the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinalists from the tournament. The win cemented Sri Lanka’s position at the top of Group B, allowing them to progress to the Super 4 stage alongside Bangladesh.

Afghanistan, after winning the toss and opting to bat, struggled to build momentum, eventually posting 169-8. A late onslaught from Mohammad Nabi, who smashed five sixes in the final over, offered a glimmer of hope, but it proved insufficient against a determined Sri Lankan side. Nuwan Thushara’s early spell of 4-18 stifled Afghanistan’s top order, setting the stage for Sri Lanka’s dominance.

Kusal Mendis anchored Sri Lanka’s chase with an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls, neutralizing Afghanistan’s spin attack with well-executed sweep shots. Despite a solid effort by veteran Mohammad Nabi with ball, taking 1 for 20, the rest of the Afghan bowling attack was ineffective. Kusal Perera contributed a solid 28, while Kamindu Mendis added a quickfire 26 to propel Sri Lanka to victory with more than an over to spare.

“We did not bowl as well as we should have, and that is why we did not win,” lamented Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan after the match. “We had a great chance… we had a semifinal at the last T20 World Cup, and the expectation [here] was to be at least in the next round.”

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance. “I am really pleased with the performance today; it was almost a perfect game for us.”

With this victory, Sri Lanka now looks ahead to the Super 4 stage, while Afghanistan will return home to regroup and strategize for future tournaments.

Read More