In a thrilling match of the Asia Cup 2025, Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74 off 52 balls helped Sri Lanka defeat Afghanistan by six wickets. Chasing a target of 170, Kusal’s crucial partnership helped Sri Lanka recover from early setbacks and secure victory. Kamindu Mendis scored 26* off 13 balls in the final overs to ensure victory with eight balls to spare. Earlier, in this Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka: Asia Cup 2025 match, Afghanistan scored 169/8 thanks to Mohammad Nabi’s 60 off 22 balls (including five sixes in the last over). Despite Nabi’s brilliant performance, Nuwan Thushara’s 4 for 18 and Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling laid the foundation for victory. This result ensured qualification from Group B for Bangladesh along with Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka
Afghanistan lost by six wickets from 169/8 (Nabi 60, Rashid 24, Ibrahim 24, Thushara 4-18) to 171/4 (Kusal 74*, Perera 28, Umarzai 1-10).
In the six-wicket win over Afghanistan, Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74 off 52 balls outshone Mohammad Nabi’s brilliant 60 off 22 balls. However, Sri Lanka secured the best record in the group stage. Bangladesh also qualified by finishing second in Group B.
With eight balls remaining, Kusal skillfully executed sweeps and pulls against the Afghan spinners. These sweeps and pulls helped Sri Lanka easily achieve a challenging target.
Kusal, therefore, served as a unifier in several partnerships (22, 25, 45, 27, and 52*). Sri Lanka sidelined Nabi’s potentially game-changing innings.
Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who was included in the match before Maheesh Theekshana, bowled the final over. Nabi hit five sixes in the final over to put Afghanistan’s innings back on track. After Dushmantha Chameera was dismissed for 17 in the final over, Afghanistan added 49 runs in the final two overs to strengthen their total.
However, Sri Lanka had dominated the match until then, with Nuwan Thushara taking 4 for 18. In the end, it was a performance that deserved victory.
afghanistan vs sri lanka : Kusal special takes Sri Lanka home
Pathum’s defeat: Neither Kamil Mishara’s dismissal in the powerplay nor Nissanka’s early scores were ideal. However, Kusal shouldered the burden of scoring runs. Kusal’s timely boundaries in the middle overs put Sri Lanka on the path to victory.
But with Sri Lanka needing just 48 runs from the final five overs, the team’s nerves remained. Kamindu, the team’s second Mendis, supported Kusal at this stage, once again demonstrating his finishing ability.
Kamindu smashed two crucial sixes, one off Noor Ahmed and one off Fazalhaq Farooqui, in his 26-run knock off 13 balls. Kamindu’s exploits eased the pressure on his senior compatriot. Since Sri Lanka easily achieved the target, Kusal didn’t need to shift gears, even in the final moments.
Stars align for Nabi
In addition to lengthening the batting order, the decision was made to start left-arm spinner Velalage in place of Theekshana. This decision was based on the assumption that Afghanistan’s batting lineup contained ten right-handed batsmen.
However, as events unfolded, Velalage dismissed Nabi for five runs and he was not required to bat. More importantly, Sri Lanka’s strike bowlers, especially Thushara, were so good that Charith Asalanka felt it was worth the risk of dismissing his key bowlers early in the hope of taking quick wickets.
And the plan was partially successful. Before the fourth bowler finally came on, Thushara took three wickets in three overs in the powerplay. Despite bowling well, Chameera’s spell was the most expensive of his career, conceding 50 runs in his four overs. Hasaranga conceded just 18 runs in four overs without taking a wicket. He somehow managed to escape with 29 runs in his four overs.
Wellalage had also conceded just 17 runs before his last over. This match was perfect for the excellent spin bowler Nabi, who dismissed Wellalage brilliantly. Afghanistan got a 32-run chance thanks to five sixes in that last over.
Sri Lanka’s solid plans with the ball
Wellalage and the other Sri Lankan bowlers kept Afghanistan quiet throughout the innings until the last over, which is why so many will remember them.
With three powerplay outswingers to right-handers and a powerful in-swinger to left-hander Sediqullah Atal, Thushara was the star.
Afghanistan tried to consolidate their position, but Asalanka cleverly used Shanaka in the middle overs to complete his fifth bowling quota. However, the last over was Thushara’s extra powerplay over, forcing Wellalage to bowl Nabi. A strategy that Sri Lankan teams have rarely used in recent years.
As Afghanistan attempted to consolidate, Asalanka cleverly used Shanaka in the middle overs to reach his fifth bowler quota. However, the final over was a powerplay extra over from Thushara that forced Wellalage to bowl to Nabi, a tactic that Sri Lankan teams have rarely, if ever, used in recent years.
An authentic captain’s knock was played by Kusal Mendis! Under pressure, that undefeated 74 was the epitome of class.
You did a great job capturing the excitement of this game in your article! The chase was expertly anchored by Kusal Mendis, and Kamindu added the final flourish.
I really liked how you pointed to Thushara’s 4/18 as the pivotal moment, as that bowling display helped Sri Lanka win.
Outstanding coverage! I appreciate how you concentrated on bowling tactics in addition to the main batting highlights. This match will never be forgotten because of Thushara’s early strikes, Wellalage’s economical spell, and Nabi’s incredible last-over hitting.
Brilliantly written! I really appreciate how you captured both Kusal Mendis’ calmness under pressure and Nabi’s explosive innings. The balance of detail and storytelling makes the match come alive for the reader.
Kusal Mendis’ innings was truly special. The way he handled the spinners with sweeps and pulls showed his class. That partnership with Kamindu was the real turning point for Sri Lanka.
Five sixes in a single over is insane! Nabi’s cameo was incredible! His knock will undoubtedly be remembered for a very long time, despite Afghanistan’s defeat.
Sri Lanka’s victory was built on Thushara’s 4 for 18. These days, it’s uncommon to see such focused bowling in the powerplay. A victory Sri Lanka deserved.