Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan HIGHLIGHTS Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka knock Afghanistan out with 6-wicket win
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh take the Super 4 spots from Group B to join India and Pakistan.
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Sri Lanka
In a tense and high-stakes Asia Cup 2025 clash, Sri Lanka outclassed Afghanistan by 6 wickets in a smartly executed chase to secure their spot in the Super Fours — a result that also saw Bangladesh qualifying and Afghanistan crashing out of the tournament.
Needing 101 to qualify based on NRR requirements, Sri Lanka needed to not just win but do so within 37.1 overs to ensure Afghanistan's elimination. After a steady start, the experienced Kusal Mendis anchored the chase with a match-winning 66* off 50 balls, showcasing composure and clarity under pressure. His calm partnerships with Kusal Perera (28 off 20) and Kamindu Mendis (23* off 11) kept the scoreboard ticking and the pressure firmly on Afghanistan.
The decisive moment came in the 19th over when Mujeeb Ur Rahman was brought back into the attack. Kusal Mendis smashed back-to-back boundaries to seal the game in just 18.4 overs, a clinical finish that will be remembered for its precision and calculation.
Earlier, Afghanistan had posted a competitive total, bolstered by veteran Mohammad Nabi’s gutsy 60, but their bowling and over-rate discipline let them down. They were twice warned for slow over rates, with a five-run penalty looming, and their spinners failed to control the game during the middle overs. Noor Ahmad, in particular, was expensive, conceding 37 in 3 overs, and Rashid Khan went wicketless while visibly struggling with a back niggle.
Sri Lanka's calculated aggression, superior game awareness, and better use of conditions outsmarted a spirited Afghan unit. For Afghanistan, the loss was a heartbreaking exit from the tournament, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh move forward with momentum into the Super Fours.
AFG 1st innings scorecard:
| Afghanistan Inning | ||||||||||||||||
| 169-8 (20 ov) CRR:8.45 | ||||||||||||||||
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |||||||||||
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK) | c K Perera b N Thushara | 14 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 175 | ||||||||||
| Sediqullah Atal | b N Thushara | 18 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 128.57 | ||||||||||
| Karim Janat | b N Thushara | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 | ||||||||||
| Ibrahim Zadran | c D Chameera b D Wellalage | 24 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 88.89 | ||||||||||
| Darwish Rasooli | c K Perera b D Chameera | 9 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 56.25 | ||||||||||
| Azmatullah Omarzai | b D Shanaka | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 150 | ||||||||||
| Mohammad Nabi | runout (K Mendis / KMishara) | 60 | 22 | 3 | 6 | 272.73 | ||||||||||
| Rashid Khan (C) | b N Thushara | 24 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 104.35 | ||||||||||
| Noor Ahmad | Not out | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 150 | ||||||||||
| Extras | 7 (b 0, Ib 5, w 1, nb 1, p 0) | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 169 (8 wkts, 20 Ov) | |||||||||||||||
| Yet to Bat | Fazalhaq Farooqi,Mujeeb-ur-Rahman | |||||||||||||||
| Fall of Wickets | ||||||||||||||||
| 26-1(Rahmanullah Gurbaz 2.1),32-2(Karim Janat 2.6),40-3(Sediqullah Atal 4.5),64-4(Darwish Rasooli 10.3),71-5(Azmatullah Omarzai 11.3),79-6(Ibrahim Zadran 12.1),114-7(Rashid Khan 17.1),169-8(Mohammad Nabi 19.6) | ||||||||||||||||
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | ECO | |||||||||
| Nuwan Thushara | 4 | 0 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4.5 | |||||||||
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 0 | 50 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12.5 | |||||||||
| Dunith Wellalage | 4 | 0 | 49 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12.25 | |||||||||
| Dasun Shanaka | 4 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7.25 | |||||||||
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.5 | |||||||||
SL 2nd innings scorecard:
| Sri Lanka Inning | ||||||||||||||||
| 171-4 (18.4 ov) CRR:9.16 | ||||||||||||||||
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |||||||||||
| Pathum Nissanka | c MU Rahman b A Omarzai | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 120 | ||||||||||
| Kusal Mendis (WK) | Not out | 74 | 52 | 10 | 0 | 142.31 | ||||||||||
| Kamil Mishara | c I Zadran b M Nabi | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40 | ||||||||||
| Kusal Perera | c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b MU Rahman | 28 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 140 | ||||||||||
| Charith Asalanka (C) | c R Khan b N Ahmad | 17 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 141.67 | ||||||||||
| Kamindu Mendis | Not out | 26 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 200 | ||||||||||
| Extras | 16 (b 0, Ib 1, w 15, nb 0, p 0) | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 171 (4 wkts, 18.4 Ov) | |||||||||||||||
| Yet to Bat | Dasun Shanaka,Wanindu Hasaranga,Dushmantha Chameera,Nuwan Thushara,Dunith Wellalage | |||||||||||||||
| Fall of Wickets | ||||||||||||||||
| 22-1(Pathum Nissanka 2.2),47-2(Kamil Mishara 5.2),92-3(Kusal Perera 11.2),119-4(Charith Asalanka 14.5) | ||||||||||||||||
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | ECO | |||||||||
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12.67 | |||||||||
| Mujeeb-ur-Rahman | 3.4 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11.45 | |||||||||
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |||||||||
| Mohammad Nabi | 3 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6.67 | |||||||||
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.75 | |||||||||
| Noor Ahmad | 3 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 12.33 | |||||||||
11:44 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka knock Afghanistan out!
Afghanistan have been knocked out fo the Asia Cup 2025 with a 6-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka who end their group stage undefeated. It's Sri Lanka and Bangladesh who make it to the Super 4s from Group B.
11:42 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: SL need 10 off 12 now!
The Sri Lanka duo of Kamindu Mendis (66*)and Kusal Mendis paving the way as they now need 10 runs off the last 2 overs to win the tie. AFG all but eliminated now.
11:35 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: SL nearing win!
Over Summary wd 6 2 wd2 0 4 1 1; SL 145/4 after 17 overs; Kamindu 13 (9) Mendis 59 (47)
SL need 25 off 18 balls
Noor continues the attack for Afghanistan and concedes 17 runs from the over
11:29 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: SL need 42 off 24 balls!
Still some work to do for the Lankans as the Afghans are trying to limit the side on the night. SL need 42 to win in the last 4 overs
11:24 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: Rashid in discomfort!
Rashid Khan is in pain as his attempt to throw the ball onto the stumps has done something to his back. Treatment ongoing. The skipper was back bowling his final over though.
11:19 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: Rashid with a brilliant catch!
Noor ahmed gets the wicket of skipper Asalanka as Rashid Khan takes a brilliant catch at mid-wicket. SL lose their 4th wicket now.
11:18 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: 50 for Mendis!
Kusal Mendis coming up with a fifty when his team needs him. With the qualification earned, he will be looking to take SL to the win now as well.
11:15 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: 10 runs from the over!
Over Summary 1 1 1 4 2 1; SL 113/3 after 14 overs; Asalanka 13 (9) Mendis 47 (39)
Nabi continues the attack for Afghanistan and concedes 10 runs from the over
11:10 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: SL qualify for Super 4s!
Over Summary 0 1 0 4 1 1; SL 103/3 after 13 overs; Asalanka 8 (6) Mendis 45 (37)
Rashid continues the attack for Afghanistan and concedes 7 runs from the over
11:04 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: Mujeeb strikes!
Mujeeb gets his first wicket as Kusal perera walks back on 28 runs in the 12th over. SL need 78 runs in 52 balls now.
11:03 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: 6 runs off the over!
Over Summary 1 1 1 2 1 0; SL 88/2 after 11 overs; Perera 21 (18) Mendis 42 (33)
Rashid continues the attack for Afghanistan and concedes 6 runs from the over
10:55 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: SL going good!
Over Summary 1 1 1 2 1 4; SL 82/2 after 10 overs; Perera 20 (15) Mendis 40 (30)
Mujeeb continues the attack for Afghanistan and concedes 10 runs from the over
10:52 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: 3 runs from the over!
Over Summary 0 2 0 0 1 0; SL 66/2 after 9 overs; Perera 14 (12) Mendis 36 (27)
Noor into the attack for Afghanistan and concedes 3 runs from the over
10:47 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: 3 runs from the over!
Over Summary 1 0 0 1 0 1; SL 60/2 after 8 overs; Perera 9 (8) Mendis 35 (25)
Nabi continues the attack for Afghanistan and concedes 3 runs from the over
10:36 PM
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES Asia Cup 2025: Mishara departs!
Mohd Nabi now striking with the ball as he takes out Mishara from the equation within the powerplay
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First Published: Sep 18 2025 | 6:46 PM IST