Introduction
If you’re a fan who loves nail-biting T20 action, fast chases, and big hits under the lights, then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re diving deep into the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the 11th Match of Group B in the DP World Asia Cup 2025.
This wasn’t just another game—it was a proper thriller at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 18, 2025. Sri Lanka chased down a competitive total with 8 balls to spare and won by 6 wickets. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s relive every fun twist together. I’ll keep it real, simple, and full of the excitement we all felt watching it.
Match Summary
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | 11th Match, Group B — Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 |
| Date | September 18, 2025 (Night Match) |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Toss | Afghanistan won, elected to bat first |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets (8 balls to spare) |
| Player of the Match | Kusal Mendis (SL) — 74* off 52 balls |
| Afghanistan Score | 169/8 (20 overs) |
| Sri Lanka Score | 171/4 (18.4 overs) |
Why This Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Stood Out
Let’s be honest—Afghanistan always brings that fearless energy to the table. They bat with freedom and bowl with mystery spinners that can trouble anyone. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, came into this match with experience and a strong desire to top their group.
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team clash had everything: early wickets, a fighting recovery by Afghanistan, and a classy chase led by Kusal Mendis. Fans were glued to their screens, and for good reason. This match helped Sri Lanka stay unbeaten and march into the Super Fours, while Afghanistan unfortunately bowed out of the tournament.
If you’re wondering Where to Watch Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team, it was broadcast live on major sports channels and streaming apps depending on your region—think Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar, or local broadcasters. Many fans also followed ball-by-ball updates on sites like Cricbuzz.
Afghanistan Sets a Challenging Total
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch that looked good for batting but offered some help to the pacers early on. They posted 169/8 in 20 overs. Not a massive score, but enough to make Sri Lanka work for the win.
Key highlight from Afghanistan’s innings? Mohammad Nabi played a blinder with 60 off just 22 balls, smashing boundaries and sixes in the death overs. The Afghan lower order added quick runs, including five sixes in the final stretch, showing their never-say-die spirit.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept things tight for most of the game. Nuwan Thushara was brilliant in the powerplay, picking up important wickets and restricting the openers. Dasun Shanaka also chipped in with a wicket. The fielding was sharp too—Kusal Perera took some outstanding catches that turned the momentum.
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs (R) | Balls (B) | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate (SR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gurbaz (wk) | c Kusal Perera b Nuwan Thushara | 14 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 175.00 |
| Sediqullah Atal | b Nuwan Thushara | 18 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 128.57 |
| Karim Janat | b Nuwan Thushara | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | c Chameera b Dunith Wellalage | 24 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 88.89 |
| Darwish Rasooli | c Kusal Perera b Chameera | 9 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 56.25 |
| Azmatullah | b Shanaka | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Nabi | run out (Kusal Perera / Kusal Mendis) | 60 | 22 | 3 | 6 | 272.73 |
| Rashid Khan (c) | b Nuwan Thushara | 24 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 104.35 |
| Noor Ahmad | not out | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 150.00 |
Extras: 7 (w-5, lb-2)
Total: 169/8 in 20 overs
Sri Lanka Bowling Scorecard (vs Afghanistan)
| Bowler | Overs (O) | Maidens (M) | Runs (R) | Wickets (W) | No Balls (NB) | Wides (WD) | Economy (ECO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwan Thushara | 4 | 0 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4.50 |
| Chameera | 4 | 0 | 50 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12.50 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 4 | 0 | 49 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12.20 |
| Shanaka | 4 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7.20 |
| W Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.50 |
Sri Lanka’s Chase: Kusal Mendis Steals the Show
Now comes the fun part—the chase! Sri Lanka needed 170 to win. They lost early wickets (Pathum Nissanka and another cheaply), which made things a bit tense. But then Kusal Mendis walked in and took control like a boss.
Mendis scored a magnificent 74 off 52 balls and remained not out. He mixed smart singles with powerful boundaries, especially on the leg side (51 runs there!). His knock is now the highest individual score in a successful T20 Asia Cup chase.
Kamindu Mendis provided explosive support with 26 off just 13 balls, including a cheeky six off Fazalhaq Farooqi. Charith Asalanka anchored the middle phase with handy contributions, and the lower order finished the job calmly.
Sri Lanka reached 171/4 in 18.4 overs, sealing a comfortable yet entertaining 6-wicket victory with 8 balls remaining. In the 18th over, Mendis hit two crucial fours off Mujeeb Ur Rahman to wrap things up in style.
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | c Mujeeb b Azmatullah | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | not out | 74 | 52 | 10 | 0 | 142.31 |
| Kamil Mishara | c Ibrahim Zadran b Nabi | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Kusal Perera | c Gurbaz b Mujeeb | 28 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Charith Asalanka (c) | c Rashid Khan b Noor Ahmad | 17 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 141.67 |
| Kamindu Mendis | not out | 26 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 200.00 |
Extras: 16
Total: 171/4 in 18.4 overs
Afghanistan Bowling Scorecard (vs Sri Lanka)
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12.70 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 3.4 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11.50 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 3 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6.70 |
| Rashid Khan (c) | 4 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.80 |
| Noor Ahmad | 3 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 12.30 |
Expert Insight
“Kusal Mendis’s innings in this Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team contest was a masterclass in situational batting. He didn’t try to overpower the Afghan spinners early. He used the crease, played the sweep, and picked his moments. That’s T20 batting intelligence at its finest. And Thushara’s powerplay bowling? That’s as good as you’ll see from any pacer in Asia Cup history.”
— Cricket Analyst, ESPNcricinfo
Where to Watch Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team
If you missed this one live (shame on you, but we forgive you), here’s where to watch Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team matches going forward:
- Star Sports Network (India Subcontinent) — live and HD coverage
- Hotstar / Disney+ Hotstar — streaming on mobile and web
- Sony LIV — alternate streaming option in select regions
- ESPNcricinfo / CricBuzz — live scores and commentary (free)
- YouTube (official broadcasters) — some matches streamed free
For official broadcast info, always check the Asian Cricket Council’s official website for the most updated schedule and broadcast details.
What This Result Meant
This win was HUGE. Let’s put it in context:
- Sri Lanka qualified for the Super Four with a 100% group stage record. That’s dominance.
- Afghanistan were knocked out, despite being T20 World Cup semi-finalists just prior. Rashid himself admitted he expected more from his boys.
- Bangladesh also qualified as a result — finishing second in Group B.
Rashid Khan, Afghanistan captain, said: “Last three years, we have played a lot of ICC events and Asia Cups. We had great preparation for each, but I was expecting a lot more from the boys. Was not expecting to be eliminated.”
That says it all. This Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team contest had massive implications — and the Lions delivered when it mattered most.
Key Takeaways from the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
- Thushara is Sri Lanka’s new-ball gem. 4 wickets for 18 runs in T20 is elite.
- Kusal Mendis is back. His unbeaten 74 shut every doubter up.
- Nabi’s final over was one for the ages — but it wasn’t enough.
- Afghanistan’s spinners, for once, got played. Kusal read them brilliantly.
- The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard confirms Sri Lanka is a genuine Super Four contender.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team — Head to Head (T20Is)
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team rivalry in T20 Internationals has been fiercely contested over the years. Afghanistan, though a newer Test nation, have punched way above their weight in the shortest format. But Sri Lanka has historically had the edge in high-stakes Asia Cup settings. This Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team encounter only deepened that narrative.
Conclusion
What a game. What a scorecard. The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered for two things: Thushara’s brutal powerplay demolition and Kusal Mendis’s calm, controlled masterclass. And of course, let’s not forget Nabi’s five-six final over — which, let’s be honest, deserves its own Netflix documentary.
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team contest reminded us exactly why cricket at this level is unmissable. Every over mattered. Every wicket shifted momentum. And in the end, the better team on the night won — cleanly, convincingly.
Sri Lanka march into the Super Four. Afghanistan head home with lessons to learn. And we, the fans? We got an absolute banger of a T20 match.
Keep watching, keep cheering, and keep tracking every Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team fixture — because this rivalry ain’t over. Not by a long shot. 🦁
FAQs — Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Q1: Where can I find the complete Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from Asia Cup 2025?
A: You can find the full scorecard with detailed batting, bowling, and fall of wickets on trusted platforms like Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo.
Q2: Who won the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in the Asia Cup 2025?
A: Sri Lanka won the match by 6 wickets after successfully chasing down 170 with 8 balls to spare.
Q3: What was Kusal Mendis’s score in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard?
A: Kusal Mendis played a brilliant match-winning knock of 74 not out and was named Player of the Match.
Q4: How many runs did Afghanistan score in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard?
A: Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 169 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.
Q5. Did Afghanistan qualify for the Super Four after this match?
No. Afghanistan were knocked out of the tournament following this defeat. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh qualified from Group B.
Q6. Where was the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Asia Cup 2025 match played?
The match was played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on the night of September 18, 2025.
Q7. What record did Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad break in this match?
Their 55-run partnership became Afghanistan’s highest-ever 8th-wicket stand in T20 Internationals, breaking the previous record of 44.
Thank you so much for reading this breakdown of the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard! Your love for cricket keeps us going, and we genuinely hope this made the match feel even more alive for you.
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