Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Asia Cup Match Highlights: Skipper, Kusal Mendis, smacked Mujeeb for two back-to-back fours in the 18th over to help Sri Lanka secure a comfortable victory over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Mendis led his squad by example as the captain scored his 17th T20I half-century to book the squad’s place in the super fours.
Afghanistan fought hard to keep Sri Lanka away from victory; however, their efforts bore limited results. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi played some amazing cricket on Thursday as both these players made important contributions with both the bat and the ball for Afghanistan towards the end of the game. Kusal Mendis was named the player of the match for his amazing 72* off 52 balls.
Key Performers
Mohammad Nabi smashed 5 sixes in the last over of the game to help Afghanistan reach a respectable score of 169 towards the end of their inning. Nabi’s fearless batting towards the death overs was nothing short of a blessing for the Afghanistan side, as the batter helped the team go from 114/7 at the end of 17 overs to 169 at 20.
From Sri Lanka’s end, Thushara dealt most of the damage to Afghanistan’s batting line-up with the ball. Thushara was able to control the new ball with much ease as he stirred troubled the Afghanistan batters and picked up 3 important wickets by the end of the power play.
In the Asia Cup’s most tantalizing group-stage twist, Sri Lanka secured a comfortable victory over Afghanistan to book it’s spot in the Super4s. Despite their somewhat poor performances in the T20I matches leading up to the Asia Cup 2025, Sri Lanka has defied all expectations by making an unbeaten run to the Super4s. Many cricketing analysts predict that the players from the south of the Indian Ocean might just be set to face off against team India in an exciting final on September 28.
Teams
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: Big over for AFG
Chameera starts with a dot, but Sediq launches him for a six over square leg next ball and follows up with a crisp cut for four. A quick single keeps the strike rotating. Gurbaz then walks across and flicks fine for another boundary. Big over for Afghanistan. AFG 18/0 (2)
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: Sri Lanka’s Thushara set tone early
Thushara set the tone early with a probing first over that kept Afghanistan’s openers on edge. Gurbaz struggled initially against the slingy action, fending out a full delivery that shaped away and then jamming down on a low full toss. A mistimed slice over mid-off offered the first real chance, but it fell safely, bringing him a couple of runs.
Gurbaz has found his rhythm, though, stepping out to a fuller ball outside off and driving handsomely over extra cover for the innings’ first boundary. He rotated strike soon after with a push straight back past the bowler. Thushara nearly had a breakthrough with his final delivery, a devilish in-swinging yorker that caught Sediqullah Atal late, but the left-hander just about managed to squeeze it behind square for a single. AFG 8/0 (1)
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: It’s game time in Abu Dhabi
Sediq and Gurbaz are on the crease opening for Afghanistan. Thushara on the the bowling end for Sri Lanka’s first spell. The game begins in Abu Dhabi.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: Check Playing XIs
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (capt), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
Afghanistan Playing XI: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: Toss alert
Both the skippers are on the field and it is toss time. Tails is the call. AFG win toss and Rashid Khan opts to bat first.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: Head-to-head stats
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka has faced each other eight times in T20Is. Sri Lanka holds the edge with five wins, while Afghanistan have been victorious three times.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: When will the match start?
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Asia Cup match will start at 8 pm IST. The toss will take place at 7.30 pm.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG Predicted XI
Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: Sri Lanka Predicted XI
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: Weather in Abu Dhabi
Expect a sweltering evening in Abu Dhabi, with temperatures hovering between 38-40°C. Clear skies mean rain won’t be an issue, but the dry heat will test players’ endurance as much as their skills.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch report
The Sheikh Zayed surface in Abu Dhabi is rarely a batter’s paradise. Traditionally slow and low, it tends to favour spinners as the ball grips and turns more with every passing over. Timing big shots becomes increasingly difficult, leaving batters to grind out runs with strike rotation rather than flourish with free-flowing strokes.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Live Score: Welcome to the live coverage
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of yet another do-or-die game. Let’s get into the maths of the upcoming game – Should Sri Lanka bat first and post 150, Afghanistan must chase it down in just 11.4 overs to deny them and send Bangladesh through. If Afghanistan bat first and set 150, Sri Lanka would need to collapse for 84 or fewer to crash out. In short, Afghanistan’s path is narrow and steep, while Sri Lanka merely have to muddle through.
Stay tuned with us as we get you the latest from Abu Dhabi.