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Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis celebrates his team's win in the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 international cricket match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 18, 2025.
AFP
Kusal Mendis powered Sri Lanka into the Asia Cup Super Four on Thursday with an unbeaten 74 that carried his team to a six-wicket win over Afghanistan.
The result also sent Bangladesh through from Group B, ending Afghanistan’s campaign.
Chasing 170, Sri Lanka reached 171-4 with eight balls to spare. Mendis anchored the innings with a 52-ball knock that featured sharp sweeps and pulls against Afghanistan’s spinners.
He shared steady partnerships of 22, 25, 45, 27 and an unbroken 52 that ensured Sri Lanka kept their perfect group-stage record intact.
Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi had earlier given his side hope with a stunning counterattack. He hammered 60 from just 22 balls, including five sixes in the final over bowled by Dunith Wellalage.
That late burst, combined with 17 runs off the penultimate over, helped Afghanistan add 49 runs in the last two overs to reach 169-8.
Before Nabi’s blitz, Sri Lanka had kept firm control. Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara was the standout, taking 4-18 to put Afghanistan on the back foot.
Nabi’s fireworks briefly shifted momentum, but Mendis’ calm chase ensured Sri Lanka crossed the line.
Sri Lanka will now join Bangladesh in the Super Four, with Afghanistan eliminated despite Nabi’s late heroics.
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