Sri Lanka played under pressure against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2025 match. In a do-or-die match, Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan win a match with 6 wickets after chasing the score.The game mattered not only to Bangladesh but also to table rankings of the tournament. sportsgamingdaily heavily witnessed this one since the result decided the group.
Match Setup & Toss
Afghanistan batted first after the toss. They wanted a large score because they needed to win. Sri Lanka used a well-combined attack. The pitch in Abu Dhabi favored batting early on, but the bowlers with spin and slower bowlers had something there towards the end. Afghanistan wanted early wickets; Sri Lanka wanted consolidation in chase.
Afghanistan’s Batting First
Afghanistan accumulated a total of 169/8 in 20 overs. Their batting was almost entirely dependent on Mohammad Nabi. He played a blistering 60 off just 22 balls to boost their score. His late assault, especially toward the death overs, gave Afghanistan momentum. Earlier contributions from Ibrahim Zadran (24) and Rashid Khan (24) helped too. But when wickets fell in clusters, they lost stability. Still, Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan full scorecard shows the effort was strong.
Sri Lanka’s Chase
Sri Lanka began steadily. Patham Niskantha was one of the openers, and anchor Kusal Mendis was leading the chase. They had 170 to score. Mendis was not out with 74 from 53 balls. He determined the pace of the innings. Kamindu Mendis contributed a 23 off 11 off-hand slog. Sri Lanka had wickets at hand. They did not lose heart even after losing a few. Then they pushed through in the late overs, sealing victory in 18.4 overs. The margin: 6 wickets. Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 6 wickets.
Turning Points & Highlights
- Mohammad Nabi’s 60 gave Afghanistan hope. Especially in the last over he smashed five sixes spectacular stuff. But Sri Lanka stayed calm.
- Nuwan Thushara bowled a crucial spell. He took 4 wickets for 18 runs, cutting through Afghanistan’s tail. That spell kept the total under challenging level.
- Kusal Mendis’ innings was composed. He avoided risky shots. He timed his aggression well. That stability mattered.
- Sri Lanka’s middle overs saw tight bowling and good fielding. They didn’t allow Afghanistan to build late momentum beyond Nabi.
These moments are part of the SL vs AFG Asia Cup 2025 match report everyone will study.
Full Match Details & Scorecard
Here are the key numbers from this Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan result 2025:
Team | Innings | Score |
Afghanistan | 1st | 169/8 (20 overs) |
Sri Lanka | 2nd | 171/4 (18.4 overs) |
- Top batters: Mohammad Nabi (60 off 22) for AFG; Kusal Mendis unbeaten 74 for SL.
- Other contributors: Ibrahim Zadran and Rashid both made useful starts. For SL, Kamindu Mendis’ quick runs added boost.
- Key bowlers: Nuwan Thushara led SL’s attack with 4 wickets. Others chipped in. Afghanistan’s bowlers couldn’t keep SL under wraps.
Fans following the Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Asia Cup 2025 highlights would see those turning points clearly. Also, SL vs AFG Asia Cup 2025 result has implications not just for this match, but for the tournament.
suggestion for Asia Cup 2025
This victory made Sri Lanka a place in Super Four Stage. As a result of this victory, Bangladesh also continued in Group B, and Afghanistan was out of the tournament. For Sri Lanka, this boosted confidence heading into tougher matches. For Afghanistan, it ended their campaign despite flashes of strong batting. sportsgamingdaily notes how this match changed the dynamics of Group B. The net run rate, momentum, and morale all shifted.
Moreover, Sri Lanka’s ability to chase under pressure will be watched by rivals. Afghanistan showed grit, especially in Nabi’s innings. But small margins decided. Using the SL vs AFG Asia Cup live score updates, fans saw the pressure mounting whenever wickets fell. Sri Lanka’s win vs Afghanistan Asia Cup 2025 was efficient once settled.
What Went Right & Lessons
What Sri Lanka did well:
- Built partnerships early to absorb spin and pace.
- Kept composure in chase; didn’t let Nabi’s late fireworks unnerve them.
- Bowled well in death overs, especially Thushara’s spell.
What Afghanistan might rethink:
- Losing too many wickets in middle overs.
- Over-relying on one explosive performance.
- Not being able to guard the tail ends when runs needed.
These aspects will appear in any good Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan full scorecard and match report. Also, the fielding and discipline from SL stood out.
In closing, Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan match info from Asia Cup 2025 shows SL winning by 6 wickets. The result sends Sri Lanka forward, knocks Afghanistan out, and gives fans a memorable chase. Kusal Mendis’ 74*, Nabi’s blistering 60, and Thushara’s key wickets make this match talk-worthy. sportsgamingdaily will keep covering more of this quality as Asia Cup goes on.