Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten half-century guided Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in the final group match of the Asia Cup on 18 September at Zayed Cricket Stadium, a result that sealed Bangladesh’s passage into the Super Four.
On the field, it was Sri Lanka versus Afghanistan, with the stands filled with supporters from both countries. Yet, a number of Bangladesh fans were also present, and in Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium press box, Bangladeshi journalists even outnumbered their Sri Lankan counterparts. Quite unusual, isn’t it?
On Thursday evening, though the Group B Asia Cup clash featured two foreign teams, all eyes from Bangladesh were on Abu Dhabi. The reason was simple: Bangladesh’s Super Four hopes depended on this match. The equation was clear – Sri Lanka had to beat Afghanistan. For the past two days, Bangladesh’s team and fans had been waiting anxiously for this outcome. Finally, the victory came. Chasing Afghanistan’s target of 170, Sri Lanka reached the total with six wickets in hand and eight balls remaining, ensuring Bangladesh progressed to the Super Four.
Sri Lanka, however, had already secured their own Super Four spot. Having won their previous two matches, they knew that reaching 101 runs in the chase would guarantee qualification, even if they lost the game. But Bangladesh wanted Sri Lanka to win outright – a wish influenced by a seven-year rivalry between the teams. Since 2018, whenever Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have faced each other, the encounters have been dubbed the ‘Nagin Derby’. This time, their ‘rivals’ did Bangladesh a favour.
Chasing 170, Sri Lanka batted with clear intent from the start. Though opener Pathum Nissanka and number three Kamindu Mendis fell cheaply, Kusal Mendis remained at the crease until the end. He steadied the innings in the middle overs, negotiating Afghanistan’s spin attack, and shared a crucial 45-run partnership with Kusal Perera for the third wicket. That stand helped Sri Lanka regain control. Kusal guided the team to victory with his 17th T20I half-century, sealing the win with a boundary off the final ball. He remained unbeaten on 74 from 52 balls, striking ten fours, while Kamindu Mendis added 26 runs from 13 balls, including two sixes.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s top order was decimated by Nuwan Thushara’s fiery spell. Chasing the target, Afghanistan lost six wickets for 79 runs. Thushara, with the new ball, dismantled their top order, taking three wickets for just 12 runs in his opening three overs. His victims included openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal, along with Karim Janat. Three of his four wickets came via clean bowled dismissals, with Rashid Khan being his final scalp.
Despite the early collapse, Mohammad Nabi’s explosive batting allowed Afghanistan to post a competitive total. How destructive was he? In the last four overs, Afghanistan scored 64 runs, 32 of which came in the final over bowled by Dunith Wellalage. In that over, Nabi completed his fifty with five consecutive sixes, remaining unbeaten on 60 from just 22 balls, including three fours and six sixes.
Remarkably, Nabi had been given a life on one run. Attempting a pull shot off Dushmantha Chameera, he offered a chance at square leg, where Wellalage leapt and got a hand to the ball but failed to hold it. That reprieve proved decisive.
Sri Lanka’s fielding was otherwise sharp. On the boundary, Chameera and Kusal Perera had taken excellent catches earlier. But after Nabi’s reprieve, he capitalised brilliantly, taking his side close to 170. While Chameera and Wellalage picked up one wicket each, they were otherwise expensive, allowing Afghanistan to reach a respectable total.
