Sri Lanka booked their place in the Super Four after beating Afghanistan by six wickets in the Asia Cup 2025. The Group B clash took place in Abu Dhabi and decided the final qualification spot.
Afghanistan batted first after winning the toss and managed 169 for 8 in their 20 overs. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi played a stunning knock of 60 from just 22 balls, lifting the team to a competitive total. Despite his late fireworks, Afghanistan lost regular wickets and could not build big partnerships.
In reply, Sri Lanka’s batting was steady and confident. Kusal Mendis led the chase with a match-winning 74 not out, holding the innings together. His calm approach kept the scoreboard moving even when wickets fell at the other end. Sri Lanka reached the target in 18.4 overs, finishing at 171 for 4.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers also played a key role earlier in the game. Nuwan Thushara was impressive with the ball, keeping Afghanistan’s batsmen under control. While Afghanistan tried to fight back with disciplined bowling, they could not stop the flow of runs once Mendis settled in.
With this victory, Sri Lanka remained unbeaten in Group B and advanced to the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup. Bangladesh also joined them from the same group, while Afghanistan’s campaign ended with this loss.
The Asia Cup 2025 has already delivered exciting matches, and Sri Lanka’s win added another thrilling chapter. Their balanced performance shows they are strong contenders as the tournament moves into the Super Four stage.
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