The game went right down to the wire with Kusal Mendis (74 not out) anchoring Sri lanka's chase. Eventually, Kusal and Kamindu Mendis (26 not out off 13) got the job done in 18.4 overs.
Abu Dhabi: Kusal Mendis’ calm fifty under pressure overshadowed the six-hitting fest from Mohammd Nabi as Sri Lanka knocked Afghanistan out of Asia Cup with a six-wicket win here on Thursday, sending themselves and Bangladesh into the Super 4s.
Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Thushara (4/18) struck thrice in his lethal opening spell before Nabi smashed five sixes in the 20th over to catapult Afghanistan to 169 for eight from a dire 79 for six in the 13th over.
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis bats during the Asia Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. AP/PTI(AP09_18_2025_000417A)Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, left, celebrates his fifty runs during the Asia Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. AP/PTI(AP09_18_2025_000420B)Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan lies on the ground after injuring himself while fielding during the Asia Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. AP/PTI(AP09_18_2025_000418B)Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis reacts after hitting the winning runs during the Asia Cup cricket match against Afghanistan at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. AP/PTI(AP09_18_2025_000424B)Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, left, hugs batting partner Kamindu Mendis after winning the Asia Cup cricket match against Afghanistan at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. AP/PTI(AP09_19_2025_000001A)Afghanistan’s players leave the ground after losing the Asia Cup cricket match against Sri Lanka at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. AP/PTI(AP09_19_2025_000002B)Afghanistan’s players celebrate the wicket of Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka during the Asia Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. AP/PTI(AP09_18_2025_000419B)Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan takes the catch to dismiss Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka during the Asia Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. AP/PTI(AP09_18_2025_000421A)Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, right, asks the umpire if the ball was too high to be a legitimate delivery during the Asia Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. AP/PTI(AP09_18_2025_000416B)
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