Sri Lanka sealed their unbeaten run in the group stage with a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan, thanks to Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74 and Nuwan Thushara’s fiery 4 for 18. The result also confirmed Bangladesh’s qualification alongside Sri Lanka from Group B.
Kusal Mendis Leads the Chase
Kusal anchored the innings with smart sweeps and pulls, guiding Sri Lanka to chase down 170 with eight balls to spare. He shared crucial stands throughout, ensuring stability despite early wickets.
“𝑲𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒍’𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝑨𝒇𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏’𝒔 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆,” 𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒅, 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅.
Kamindu Mendis also chipped in with a quickfire 26 off 13, striking two vital sixes that eased the pressure in the final overs.
Nabi’s Blitz in Vain
Earlier, Mohammad Nabi’s explosive 60 off just 22 balls, including five sixes in the last over, gave Afghanistan hope. He lifted their total to 169 for 8 after Thushara had dismantled the top order with pace and swing.
“𝑾𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 49 𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒖𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂’𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒖𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌,” 𝑵𝒂𝒃𝒊 𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕-𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉.
Despite Nabi’s fireworks, Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling – highlighted by Hasaranga’s tight spell of 4-0-18 – kept Afghanistan in check. Wellalage, though hammered in the final over, had bowled economically before.
In the end, Sri Lanka’s composed batting and Thushara’s early breakthroughs ensured Afghanistan’s exit from the tournament.
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