Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Emirates Highlights & Result – Match 11

Sri Lanka walked into the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2025 with a solid six-wicket win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Chasing 170, Kusal Mendis anchored the innings with an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls, helping his team maintain a perfect record in the group stage. Kamindu Mendis' late cameo with 26 off 13 as Sri Lanka sealed the chase in 18.4 overs.

Earlier, Afghanistan were restricted to 169/8 despite Mohammad Nabi’s brilliant 60 off just 22 balls, including five sixes in the final over. Nuwan Thushara starred with the ball for Sri Lanka, returning with figures of 4 for 18, dismantling Afghanistan’s top order. The result not only confirmed Sri Lanka’s top spot in Group B but also guided the way for Bangladesh to qualify in second place, knocking Afghanistan out of the tournament.

Key moments from SL vs AFG, Match 11 of Asia Cup 2025:

1. Afghanistan out of Asia Cup 2025

Afghanistan’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign came to a heartbreaking end as their do-or-die clash against Sri Lanka didn’t go their way. Having already lost to Bangladesh earlier in the group stage, this was their last chance to stay alive. Mohammad Nabi gave Afghanistan hope with his 60 off just 22 balls, guiding them to 169/8. But Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74 off 52 helped Sri Lanka chase the target with six wickets in hand, sealing their place in the Super Fours with a perfect group-stage record. The loss also meant Bangladesh advanced as the second team from Group B. 

2. Mohammad Nabi's last over heroics

Mohammad Nabi displayed his power-hitting abilities, which helped Afghanistan push the total over 160. Nabi took over the death overs and dismantled the Sri Lankan bowlers. He first punished Dushmantha Chameera with three consecutive boundaries in the penultimate over, smashing 17 runs. In the final over, bowled by Dunith Wellalage, he hammered five sixes in six balls, with a no-ball and single, smashing 32 runs. His 60 off just 22 balls guided Afghanistan to 169/8.

3. Nuwan Thushara bags four-wicket haul

Sri Lanka’s seamer Nuwan Thushara produced an impressive spell, bagging a brilliant four-wicket haul. Thushara dismantled Afghanistan’s top order in style. After Dushmantha Chameera’s expensive first over, he responded with a double strike in his second, removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a slower ball and then cleaning up Karim Janat with a peach. His third victim was Sediqullah Atal, ripping through his defense. Just when Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi were stitching a solid stand, Thushara returned with a slower yorker to dismiss Rashid, sealing figures of 4 for 18.