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Nuwan Thushara took 4 wickets for just 18 runs and wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis scored a calm unbeaten 74 from 52 balls to lead Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in their final Group B match of the Asia Cup 2025 held at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday. What was the conclusion of this win? This win meant that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh moved on to the Super Four stage while Afghanistan who reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals last year were eliminated. Chasing 170 on a pitch that had some grip and bounce Sri Lanka made the tough target look easy mainly because of Kusal Mendis’ solid innings which included 10 boundaries. His pulls sweeps and cuts were a treat to watch. How did Sri Lanka bat? Sri Lanka started strong but lost quick wickets. Pathum Nissanka was out for 6 after hitting Azmatullah Omarzai to short fine leg. Kamil Mishara got out soon after giving a catch to extra cover off Mohammad Nabi. At 52/2 after six overs the match was evenly poised. Kusal Mendis then steadied the innings. He reached his half-century in 40 balls with a sweep shot matching Nissanka’s record of 17 T20I fifties. He kept the scoreboard ticking by rotating strike and finding gaps even though wickets kept falling at the other end. When Kusal Perera was caught behind off Mujeeb Ur Rahman Afghanistan had a brief chance. But Charith Asalanka’s late shot to backward point pushed Sri Lanka to 101/3 securing their place in the next round. Asalanka got out soon after and Kamindu Mendis narrowly avoided a run-out when Rashid Khan trying for a direct hit hurt his back and left the field. In the end Kusal and Kamindu finished the chase with smart attacking shots hitting boundaries off Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Kamindu sealed the win with back-to-back boundaries off Mujeeb – a cut and a pull. Afghanistans bowlers also gave away runs at key moments which cost them despite Nabis brilliant batting performance earlier. How did Afghanistan bat? Earlier in the match Mohammad Nabi played an explosive knock scoring 60 off just 22 balls including six sixes to take Afghanistan to a strong total of 169/8. At the end of the 18th over Afghanistan were struggling at 120/7 but Nabi turned things around in the final two overs smashing 46 runs with 32 of them coming in the last over. His 35-run partnership with Rashid Khan (24) was the highest in the innings. The last over by Dunith Wellalage saw Nabi hit five sixes one of them from a no-ball. Ironically Wellalage had dropped Nabi earlier in the deep a mistake that proved costly. Afghanistan began well scoring 26 runs in the first two overs. But Thushara’s excellent bowling in the powerplay saw him dismiss Gurbaz Karim Janat and Sediqullah Atal leaving Afghanistan at 45/3 after six overs. Afghanistan struggled to keep the scoreboard moving with no boundaries after the fourth over. Sri Lanka’s fielding was sharp Kusal Perera’s relay catch removed Darwish Rasooli and Chameera took a stunning catch to get rid of Omarzai. Rashid Khan tried to fight back by hitting two boundaries off Shanaka including a stylish no-look six but he was bowled by Thushara. Nabi began his counter-attack by hitting Chameera for three quick boundaries past point through square and via an edge to fine leg. In the final over by Wellalage Nabi smashed the first three balls for sixes added two more big hits and was finally run out on the last ball. His explosive finish gave Afghanistan hope of making it to the Super Fours but Sri Lanka’s strong chase ended their journey. Story Highlights: Sri Lanka got a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in their final Group B match of the Asia Cup 2025. This win meant that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh moved on to the Super Four stage. Kusal Mendis reached his half-century in 40 balls with a sweep shot matching Nissanka’s record of 17 T20I fifties.