Sri Lanka knock Afghanistan out, Bangladesh qualify for Super 4.
Sri Lanka chased down Afghanistan’s 170-run target with eight balls to spare at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, sealing their Super 4 berth in the Asia Cup and taking Bangladesh through alongside them. Kusal Mendis anchored the chase with an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls, well supported by Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis.
Afghanistan, put in to bat, stumbled after a brisk start. Nuwan Thushara’s early strikes reduced them to 45/3 in the powerplay, and Rashid Khan’s side slipped further to 79/6. Mohammad Nabi, however, launched a late counterattack, smashing 60 off just 22 balls with five sixes in the final over — equalling the fastest fifty in Asia Cup history — to lift Afghanistan to 169/8.
But Sri Lanka’s reply was calm and composed. Despite losing Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara early, Mendis steadied the innings before accelerating, ensuring there was no slip-up. Afghanistan’s bowlers, usually reliable, failed to defend as Sri Lanka completed a six-wicket win.
The result knocked Afghanistan out, a disappointing exit for a side tipped as Asia’s rising force, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh marched into the Super 4s from Group B.
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