Afghanistan ended on 169 for 8 in their must-win Asia Cup Group B clash against Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, thanks to Mohammad Nabi’s stunning late assault. The veteran all-rounder smashed 32 runs in the final over, including five consecutive sixes, racing to an unbeaten 60 off just 22 balls and lifting Afghanistan from deep trouble to a fighting total.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s top order had been rattled by Nuwan Thushara’s fiery new-ball burst. The Sri Lankan pacer tore through the batting line-up with three wickets in his first spell, conceding only 12 runs in three overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (14 off 8), Karim Janat (1 off 4) and Sediqullah Atal (18 off 14) all fell cheaply, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 45 for 3 by the end of the powerplay.
The collapse deepened as Ibrahim Zadran struggled to 24 off 27 before departing, while wickets continued to tumble. At 79 for 6, Afghanistan’s hopes looked bleak. Rashid Khan attempted to rebuild with Nabi, adding urgency through boundaries, but Thushara struck again to dismiss him, finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 18.
Afghanistan, however, were revived in the closing stages. Nabi’s calculated aggression shifted momentum in the final overs, especially in the 20th, where he dismantled Sri Lanka’s bowling with his barrage of sixes. That final flourish ensured Afghanistan set a competitive target in a contest watched closely by Bangladeshi fans, who were banking on a Sri Lankan victory to keep their Super Four hopes alive.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, made a single change to their XI, with Dunith Wellalage replacing Maheesh Theekshana, while Afghanistan brought in Darwish Rasooli and Mujeeb Ur Rahman for Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Ghazanfar. Skipper Rashid Khan’s decision to bat first followed Afghanistan’s strategy of setting a total, a plan that faltered until Nabi’s explosive rescue act.
