How Did Mendis and Thushara Propel Sri Lanka to Victory Over Afghanistan?
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Synopsis
In an exhilarating match at the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis and Nuwan Thushara played pivotal roles in defeating Afghanistan by six wickets. This victory not only showcased their cricketing prowess but also led to Afghanistan's exit from the tournament, marking a dramatic end to their campaign.
Key Takeaways
- Nuwan Thushara excelled with 4 wickets, showcasing his bowling prowess.
- Kusal Mendis's unbeaten 74 highlighted his batting skills under pressure.
- Sri Lanka's victory confirmed their advancement to the Super Fours.
- Afghanistan's exit from the tournament was a disappointment after their strong previous performances.
- The match underscored the thrilling unpredictability of the sport.
Abu Dhabi, Sep 18 (NationPress) Nuwan Thushara delivered an outstanding performance with figures of 4-18, while wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis showcased his talent with a composed unbeaten 74 off 52 balls, leading Sri Lanka to a six-wicket triumph over Afghanistan in their concluding Group B match of the Asia Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
This outcome has secured Sri Lanka and Bangladesh's advancement to the Super Fours, while Afghanistan, last year's T20 World Cup semi-finalists, faced elimination from the tournament. Chasing a target of 170 on a pitch providing grip and bounce, Sri Lanka made the challenge appear effortless, primarily due to Kusal's assured innings, which included ten boundaries – his pull shots, cuts, and sweeps were a joy to behold.
Sri Lanka's innings commenced dynamically but soon encountered obstacles. Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for six after pulling Azmatullah Omarzai straight to short fine leg. Kamil Mishara followed soon after, chipping Mohammad Nabi to extra cover. At 52/2 following the power play, the match was delicately poised.
However, Kusal ensured stability. He reached his fifty off 40 balls with a sweep, matching Nissanka's record of 17 T20I half-centuries. His knack for rotating the strike and finding gaps kept Sri Lanka ahead of the required rate, even with wickets falling at the other end.
The dismissal of Kusal Perera, caught behind off Mujeeb Ur Rahman, briefly reignited Afghanistan's hopes, but Charith Asalanka's late dab to backward point took Sri Lanka to 101/3, confirming their spot in the Super Fours. Asalanka fell soon after, and Kamindu Mendis narrowly escaped a run-out as Rashid Khan attempted a direct hit, injuring himself in the process.
Kusal and Kamindu finished the chase with measured aggression, hitting boundaries off Noor and Fazalhaq Farooqi, with Kusal sealing the victory with a powerful cut and pull through mid-wicket off Mujeeb for boundaries. Afghanistan's bowlers also faltered, conceding runs at critical moments, leading to their untimely exit despite Nabi's remarkable innings of 60 off just 22 balls.
Earlier, veteran Nabi showcased a masterclass in the death overs with a blazing knock, hitting six sixes and propelling Afghanistan to 169 in a must-win match. Afghanistan struggled at 120/7 at the end of 18 overs, but Nabi, the longest-serving member of the Afghanistan team, turned the tables with a breathtaking assault in the final two overs, scoring an astonishing 46 runs, with 32 coming off the final over.
His 35-run partnership with Rashid (24) was the highest of the innings, and his final-over fireworks off Dunith Wellalage – five sixes, including one from a no-ball – elevated Afghanistan from a mediocre total to a competitive one. Notably, Nabi was dropped once in the deep by Wellalage, a mistake that Sri Lanka would rue.
Afghanistan began brightly, racking up 26 runs in the first two overs, but lost momentum after Thushara's incisive powerplay spell, which saw him remove Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim Janat, and Sediqullah Atal to reduce Afghanistan to 45/3 by the end of the power-play.
Struggling with strike rotation, Afghanistan failed to hit a boundary after the fourth over. Sri Lanka's fielding was electric, with Kusal Perera's relay catch dismissing Darwish Rasooli and Dushmantha Chameera's spectacular grab sending back Azmatullah Omarzai.
Rashid initiated the counter-attack by dispatching Shanaka for a couple of boundaries, including a delightful no-look six, before being bowled by Thushara. Nabi's resurgence began with a flurry of three consecutive boundaries off Chameera, amassing 17 runs.
In Wellalage's final over, Nabi pounced on the first three balls for sixes, followed by two more maximums before being run out on the last ball. His explosive finish gave Afghanistan a fighting chance to secure a place in the Super Fours, but Sri Lanka's spirited performance ultimately prevailed.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 169/8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Nabi 60, Rashid Khan 24; Nuwan Thushara 4-18, Dasun Shanaka 1-29) lost to Sri Lanka 171/4 in 18.4 overs (Kusal Mendis 74 not out, Kusal Perera 28; Azmatullah Omarzai 1-10, Noor Ahmad 1-37) by six wickets.
Point of View
It's vital to acknowledge the remarkable performance by Sri Lanka, which not only secured their place in the Super Fours but also highlighted the unpredictability of cricket. The match serves as a reminder of the competitive spirit inherent in the sport, and the emotional highs and lows that accompany such tournaments. Our commitment remains to cover these events with the utmost integrity and depth.
NationPress
21/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the key performance in the match?
Nuwan Thushara's bowling performance of 4-18 and Kusal Mendis's unbeaten 74 were pivotal in securing victory for Sri Lanka.
Which teams advanced to the Super Fours?
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh advanced to the Super Fours following this match.
What was Afghanistan's final score?
Afghanistan scored 169 runs in their innings.
What impact did Mohammad Nabi have on the match?
Mohammad Nabi scored a rapid 60 runs, which significantly boosted Afghanistan's total.
How did Sri Lanka manage their chase?
Sri Lanka chased down the target of 170 comfortably, with Kusal Mendis anchoring the innings.
