Sri Lanka didn’t just beat Afghanistan, they dragged them to the brink of hope and then shut the door, leaving Bangladesh smiling all the way into the Super Four.
Sri Lanka’s march through Group B of the Asia Cup 2025 remained flawless as Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74 off 52 balls and Nuwan Thushara’s brilliant 4 for 18 scripted a six-wicket win against Afghanistan. The result, beyond keeping Sri Lanka’s 100% record intact, also meant that Bangladesh qualified in second place.
Kusal Mendis: The Calm in the Chase
Afghanistan threw everything into the fight, but Kusal stood tall. His batting was the antidote to their spin puzzle, as he swept and pulled with control to keep Sri Lanka moving toward the tricky target of 170. He was the glue in partnerships that strung together scores of 22, 25, 45, 27, and finally the unbeaten 52-run stand that sealed the chase.
Even when Mohammad Nabi tried to tilt the script with one of the wildest cameos ever seen, Kusal ensured the nerves never spread. With Sri Lanka needing 48 from the last five overs, he found the perfect ally in Kamindu Mendis, whose 26 off 13 balls featured two thunderous sixes. Together, they ended Afghanistan’s dreams with eight balls to spare.
Nabi’s Fireworks – A Glorious but Futile Show
Before Sri Lanka’s batsmen stole the spotlight, Nabi had ignited the contest. Coming in with Afghanistan in deep trouble, he exploded with 60 off just 22 deliveries, including a demolition of Dunith Wellalage in the final over of the innings. That single over went for 32 runs, following Dushmantha Chameera’s 17 in the penultimate over. Afghanistan ransacked 49 runs in the last two overs, suddenly turning 120 into 169 and handing their bowlers a fighting chance.
But while Nabi’s blitz will live on as one of the wildest cameos in Asia Cup history, it ended up being just fireworks without firepower.
Thushara’s Magic with the Ball
If Nabi gave Afghanistan hope, it was Thushara who ensured they had to chase it in the first place. His opening spell was devastating: three wickets in the powerplay with trademark outswingers, followed by a deadly in-swinger to left-hander Sediqullah Atal. He returned at the death to claim his fourth, finishing with 4 for 18.
Chameera was unlucky to go for 50 in his four overs, the most expensive spell of his career, while Wanindu Hasaranga was miserly with 18 from four overs. Captain Charith Asalanka’s bold decision to burn through the main bowlers early nearly backfired, but it was the cushion built by Thushara’s strikes that saved the day.
Afghanistan’s Missed Chance
The gamble of handing Wellalage the final over to Nabi will be remembered as a tactical misstep, though until that moment Wellalage had conceded just 17 runs in his spell. Yet, Afghanistan’s over-reliance on Nabi and their failure to support him elsewhere left them short.
Their qualification hopes were brutally simple: win, and they were through. But they stumbled into elimination, left watching Bangladesh advance instead.
Bangladesh, the Silent Beneficiaries
Bangladesh, who had already done their part by beating Afghanistan earlier, emerged as the unlikely victors of the night. Sri Lanka’s win meant they slipped into the Super Four without lifting a bat or ball. Their net run rate had been precarious, but Sri Lanka’s controlled chase left them safe and smiling.
Sri Lanka’s Super Four Ticket Secured
For Sri Lanka, this was more than just a group stage victory. It underlined their growing confidence, highlighted their bowling firepower in Thushara, and proved their batting stability under Kusal Mendis. With a perfect record, they move into the Super Four carrying momentum and the look of a team capable of troubling anyone.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look back at Nabi’s masterclass with pride but also regret. They had one foot in the door, but Sri Lanka and Bangladesh slammed it shut.
In the end, Group B gave cricket fans exactly what was promised: drama, tension, last-minute swings, and calculators humming for net run rate scenarios. But when the dust settled, it was Sri Lanka and Bangladesh who walked forward, leaving Afghanistan stranded with only memories of what could have been.
