Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in a do-or-die match to qualify for the next round in Asia Cup 2025. Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis was the hero, scoring an unbeaten 74 to guide his team to victory. With this loss, Afghanistan are out of the tournament.
Chasing a target of 170, Sri Lanka had a shaky start, as they lost their best performer from the previous match, Pathum Nissanka, early. Kamil Mishara, who played an important knock against Bangladesh, also fell cheaply.
After that, Kusal Perera joined Kusal Mendis and they stitched a partnership of 45 runs which brought some stability in the innings. Captain Charith Asalanka could not do much and was dismissed for 17. Kamindu Mendis played a useful hand alongside Kusal Mendis to ensure Sri Lanka chased down the target with eight balls to spare.
Kusal Mendis was brilliant throughout the innings. He used the gaps on the leg side and most of his boundaries came in that direction. His innings came in 52 balls, featuring 10 fours at a strike rate of 142.31.
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat. Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara was brilliant as he removed the top three batters within the power play. Until the 18th over, it looked like Afghanistan would reach a total of around 140, but Mohammad Nabi had other plans. He hit three fours in the penultimate over, and in the last over he smashed five sixes in a row off Dunith Wellalage. He scored 60 off 22 balls.
Kusal Mendis was adjudged the Player of the Match.
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