ASIA Cup 2025: Afghanistan choose to bat first against Sri Lanka
DUBAI: Afghanistan XI elected to bat first after winning toss for the 11th clash of the Asia Cup 2025, taking place here tonight against Sri Lanka.
AFG XI: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zardran, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi
SL XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (C), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara
The Lions victory over Afghanistan
Sri Lanka chased downed a difficult 171-run target that the Afghanistan XI posted in their earlier innings they chose to play in their decider.
Afghanistan XI posted a big target, led by an all-time batting performance from Mohammad Nabi. His explosive 60 off just 22 balls that included a stunning 32 runs off 6 balls, earned him the title of Most Valuable Player of the match. But Openers Gurbaz (14), Sediqullah Atal (18), Janat (1), and skipper Rashid Khan (24) were all dismissed by rival bowler Thushara, who delivered a match-defining spell.
Sri Lanka responded confidently against their rivals’ bowling attack, which had set out to dismantle the Lions’ batting lineup. However, no pacer or spinner managed to take more than one wicket each, with the bowlers collectively claiming just four wickets in total. Top batter Kusal Mendis played a resilient unbeaten knock for his team, staying at the crease until the final run, which earned him the Player of the Match award.
Kusal Perera’s 28 off 20, skipper Asalanka’s 17, and Kamindu Mendis’ unbeaten 26 collectively added 71 valuable runs to Sri Lanka’s chase. Nissanka and Kamil also chipped in with 6 and 4 runs, helping set the stage for the final push. The chase was ultimately sealed–thanks in part to 16 extras conceded by the Afghan bowlers which brought the game to a close.
169-run target
Afghanistan posted an eight-wicket 169-run target in their decider against Sri Lanka tonight.
Mohammad Nabi played havoc with his bat, hitting 5 big sixes alone in the last over of the innings, adding 60 to his team’s total.
Other players also contributed well. Skipper Rashid Khan added a valuable 24 runs to the total, while top-order batter Sediqullah Atal scored 18 off 14 balls.
Posted on: September 18, 2025First wicket at 26
Afghanistan began their innings by sending top batters Sediqullah Atal and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the opening. But Gubaz couldnt make it today as well, scoring only 14 off 8 before being lost to star pacer Thushara in the very second over.
Posted on: September 18, 2025