Sri Lanka Joins Bangladesh in Super Four with Win Over Afghanistan

At the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka faced off against Afghanistan, with all eyes from Dubai on the match. Bangladesh’s Super Four hopes were dependent on the outcome of this game. A victory for Sri Lanka against Afghanistan would secure Bangladesh’s spot in the Super Four, while an Afghan win would complicate the scenario. Putting past setbacks aside, cricket fans in Bangladesh eagerly awaited a Sri Lankan win.

Afghanistan captain chose to bat first after winning the toss on Thursday. Despite a shaky start, Mohammad Nabi’s resilient innings of 60 runs off 22 balls, including six sixes and three fours, helped Afghanistan post a challenging total of 169 runs.

Chasing the target, Sri Lanka struggled initially, but Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten fifty guided them to victory. Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by six wickets, topping the group and ensuring their Super Four spot while also taking Bangladesh along with them.

Sri Lanka lost opener Nissanka for just 22 runs in form. At number three, Kamil Mishara also fell quickly. Azmatullah and Mohammad Nabi tried to apply pressure on the Lankans with crucial wickets.

However, Kusal Mendis held one end firm, scoring an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls and leading his team to a six-wicket victory. Sri Lanka lost two more wickets in the process: captain Charith Asalanka fell for 17 off Nur Ahmed’s delivery, and Kusal Perera departed for 20 off Mujibur Rahman.

Despite these setbacks, Afghanistan could not halt the Sri Lankan charge. Mendis partnered with Kamindu, forging an unbroken 52-run partnership to see Sri Lanka home with eight balls to spare.

Kusal Mendis was the standout performer with 74 runs from 52 balls, including 10 boundaries, while Kamindu contributed an unbeaten 26 from 13 balls with two sixes.

No Afghan bowler could make a significant impact. Those who tried were expensive, conceding plenty of runs. Mujib, Azmatullah, Nabi, and Nur Ahmed took one wicket each, while Rashid bowled four overs for just 23 runs without picking a wicket.

Batting first, Afghanistan lost early wickets and fell into trouble at 40/3, thanks to Nuwan Thushara’s pace bowling. Thushara removed Rahmatullah Gurbaz (14), Karim Janat (1), and Sadequllah Atal (18). Gurbaz was caught by Perera, while Janat and Atal were bowled.

Darwish Rasooli was dismissed by Chamira, and Azmatullah was bowled for six by Dasun Shanaka. Dunith Wellalage removed Ibrahim Zadran for 24, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 71/5.

Mohammad Nabi emerged as the savior, scoring 60 off 22 balls. Alongside Rashid (24) for a 35-run partnership and Nur Ahmed (6*) for 55 runs with Nabi for the seventh and eighth wickets, Afghanistan managed to reach 169 before being run out on the final ball.

For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Thushara took 4/18 in 4 overs, while Chamira, Dunith, and Shanaka claimed one wicket each.

Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74-run innings from 52 balls earned him the Player of the Match award, leading Sri Lanka to a memorable Super Four qualification.