A sublime unbeaten knock by Kusal Mendis and his brisk partnership with Kamindu Mendis guided Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win against Afghanistan in their final Asia Cup group-stage clash on Thursday. With this victory, Sri Lanka finished the group stage unbeaten with three wins in as many matches.

Nabi’s blitz lifts Afghanistan to 169/8
Afghanistan, opting to bat first, got off to a shaky start as Nuwan Thushara ripped through the top order, leaving them reeling at 40/3 inside the powerplay. Ibrahim Zadran (24 off 27) and Darwish Rasooli (9 off 16) struggled to stabilise, while Azmatullah Omarzai fell cheaply.

Veteran all-rounder Mohammed Nabi turned the innings around with a sensational 22-ball 60, decorated with three fours and six sixes. He reached his half-century in just 20 balls, equalling the joint-fastest T20I fifty for Afghanistan. Nabi’s assault peaked in the final over when he smashed Dunith Wellalage for five sixes, plundering 32 runs. Afghanistan ended on 169/8.

Thushara was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka with 4/18, while Chameera, Wellalage and Shanaka chipped in with one wicket each.

Mendis anchors Sri Lanka’s chase
Chasing 170, Sri Lanka began aggressively through Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, racing to 22 in just two overs before Nissanka departed for six. Kamil Mishara’s dismissal left them at 47/2, but Mendis, who had struggled in earlier games, looked composed this time.

He forged a crucial partnership with Kusal Perera (28 off 20) to push the score past 80 before Perera fell to Mujeeb ur Rahman. Skipper Charith Asalanka (17 off 16) added momentum but was caught at deep mid-wicket off Noor Ahmed.

At 122/4 in 15 overs, Sri Lanka still needed 48 runs, but Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis swung the momentum decisively. Kamindu struck a fiery 26* off 13 balls with two sixes, while Kusal anchored with boundaries at will. He brought up his 17th T20I fifty and stayed unbeaten on 74 off 52 balls, studded with 10 fours.

The pair added quick runs in the 17th and 18th overs, reducing the equation to 10 runs from 12 balls. Kusal sealed the win with consecutive fours off Mujeeb, guiding Sri Lanka to 171/4 in 18.4 overs.

Super Four line-up confirmed
With the win, Sri Lanka not only topped their group but also underlined their balanced mix of pace and power heading into the Super Four. Afghanistan, despite Nabi’s late fireworks, bowed out of the tournament after back-to-back defeats against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh joined Sri Lanka from Group B in the next round. The Super Four promises high-octane clashes as arch-rivals and regional heavyweights face off for a spot in the final.Afghanistan, despite Nabi’s late fireworks, bowed out of the tournament after back-to-back defeats against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh joined Sri Lanka from Group B in the next round. The Super Four promises high-octane clashes as arch-rivals and regional heavyweights face off for a spot in the final.