Looking for the complete Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard? This detailed breakdown covers the 11th Match of Group B in the Asia Cup 2025, played between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan on 18 September 2025 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Sri Lanka chased down 170 with six wickets and eight balls to spare in a high-stakes SL vs AFG contest that decided Super Four qualification.
Fans searching for Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team updates, live scores, or full batting and bowling details will find verified figures, analysis, and tournament context here. The SL vs AFGMatches history added extra intensity to this fixture, as both sides have produced competitive T20 contests in recent years.
This article presents the full Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, key player performances, turning points, and what the result meant for both teams in the Asia Cup 2025.
Match Context and Previous Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Meetings
Afghanistan entered the game needing a win to stay alive in Group B after earlier results. Sri Lanka sat atop the group with an unbeaten record. Bangladesh had already finished their matches and waited on the outcome. A Sri Lanka victory would confirm both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for the Super Four; an Afghanistan win would create a three-way points scenario decided by net run rate.
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team rivalry has delivered several memorable T20Is, including a three-match series in Sri Lanka in early 2024 and previous Asia Cup and World Cup meetings. Sri Lanka held the overall T20I edge heading into this SL vs AFG clash in Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat, setting up a must-win chase for the Lankans under lights.
Match Summary – Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 11th Match, Group B |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Date | 18 September 2025 |
| Tournament | Asia Cup 2025 |
| Toss | Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat |
| Afghanistan Score | 169/8 (20 overs) |
| Sri Lanka Score | 171/4 (18.4 overs) |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets (with 8 balls remaining) |
| Player of the Match | Kusal Mendis (74* off 52) |
Afghanistan Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | 14 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 175.00 |
| Sediqullah Atal | 18 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 128.57 |
| Karim Janat | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 24 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 88.89 |
| Darwish Rasooli | 9 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 56.25 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 60 | 22 | 3 | 6 | 272.73 |
| Rashid Khan (c) | 24 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 104.35 |
| Noor Ahmad | 6* | 4 | 0 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Extras | 7 (lb 5, w 1, nb 1) | ||||
| Total | 169/8 (20 overs) | RR: 8.45 |
Afghanistan’s innings in this Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team encounter followed a clear pattern. Early wickets left them struggling at 40/3 inside the powerplay. The middle order could not accelerate significantly until Mohammad Nabi produced a late explosion. His 60 off 22, including six sixes, and a rapid stand with Noor Ahmad in the final overs lifted the total from a precarious position to a competitive 169.
Sri Lanka Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwan Thushara | 4 | 0 | 18 | 4 | 4.50 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 0 | 50 | 1 | 12.50 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 4 | 0 | 49 | 1 | 12.25 |
| Dasun Shanaka | 4 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 7.25 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 4.50 |
Nuwan Thushara delivered the decisive spell in the SL vs AFG clash, taking 4/18 and removing key early wickets plus Rashid Khan later. His accuracy in the powerplay and death overs restricted Afghanistan’s scoring. Wanindu Hasaranga kept the middle overs tight with an economical 18 runs from four overs without a wicket. Chameera and Wellalage conceded more but still claimed one wicket each. The bowling unit prevented Afghanistan from posting a total above 170 despite Nabi’s late surge.
Sri Lanka Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | 74* | 52 | 10 | 0 | 142.31 |
| Kamil Mishara | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Kusal Perera | 28 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Charith Asalanka (c) | 17 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 141.67 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 26* | 13 | 0 | 2 | 200.00 |
| Extras | 16 (lb 1, w 15) | ||||
| Total | 171/4 (18.4 overs) | RR: 9.16 |
Sri Lanka lost Nissanka and Mishara early but rebuilt through Kusal Mendis in this Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard. Partnerships with Perera and Asalanka kept the required rate manageable. Kamindu Mendis then provided the finishing acceleration with two sixes, allowing Mendis to remain unbeaten and complete the chase comfortably.
Afghanistan Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 12.67 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 3.4 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 11.45 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 5.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 3 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 6.67 |
| Rashid Khan (c) | 4 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 5.75 |
| Noor Ahmad | 3 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 12.33 |
Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi were the most economical, taking a wicket each. Rashid Khan bowled a tidy spell without reward. The Afghan attack struggled with extras (15 wides) and could not break the Mendis-led partnerships often enough. Death-over control was limited once Kamindu Mendis accelerated.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Stats
| Match Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Batter | Kusal Mendis (74* off 52) |
| Best Bowler | Nuwan Thushara (4/18) |
| Best Partnership | Kusal Mendis & Kamindu Mendis (52 runs for the 5th wicket) |
| Key Moment | Thushara’s early wickets restricting Afghanistan |
| Turning Point | Nabi’s late surge followed by Mendis’ steady chase |
| Best Bowling Spell | Nuwan Thushara’s 4/18 |
| Best Batting Performance | Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74 |
| Final Result | Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets |
Early Wickets for Sri Lanka
Nuwan Thushara struck three times in the powerplay, removing Gurbaz, Janat and Atal. Afghanistan slumped to 40/3 and never fully recovered their momentum until the final overs of this Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team encounter.
Mohammad Nabi’s Explosive Finish
Nabi’s 60 off 22, featuring six sixes, transformed a modest total into a challenging 169. His late partnership with Noor Ahmad added 55 runs in the last few overs and gave Afghanistan a fighting chance.
Kusal Mendis Anchors the Chase
Mendis remained calm after early losses. He rotated strike effectively against spin, used the sweep and pull shots, and guided the innings past the halfway mark with solid support from Perera and Asalanka.
Kamindu Mendis’ Finishing Blow
Kamindu’s 26 not out off 13 balls, including two sixes, ensured Sri Lanka crossed the line with time to spare and kept the required rate under control.
Fall Of Wickets – SL vs AFG
Afghanistan Fall of Wickets (169/8 in 20 overs)
| Wicket | Score | Over | Batter Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 | 2.1 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| 2 | 32 | 2.6 | Karim Janat |
| 3 | 40 | 4.5 | Sediqullah Atal |
| 4 | 64 | 10.3 | Darwish Rasooli |
| 5 | 71 | 11.3 | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| 6 | 79 | 12.1 | Ibrahim Zadran |
| 7 | 114 | 17.1 | Rashid Khan |
| 8 | 169 | 20.0 | Mohammad Nabi |
Afghanistan lost three wickets inside the powerplay and were reduced to 79/6 before Mohammad Nabi’s late surge pushed them to 169.
Sri Lanka Fall of Wickets (171/4 in 18.4 overs)
| Wicket | Score | Over | Batter Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | 2.2 | Pathum Nissanka |
| 2 | 47 | 5.2 | Kamil Mishara |
| 3 | 92 | 11.2 | Kusal Perera |
| 4 | 119 | 14.5 | Charith Asalanka |
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Players
| Position | Sri Lanka | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathum Nissanka | Sediqullah Atal |
| 2 | Kusal Mendis (wk) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) |
| 3 | Kamil Mishara | Ibrahim Zadran |
| 4 | Kusal Perera | Darwish Rasooli |
| 5 | Charith Asalanka (c) | Mohammad Nabi |
| 6 | Dasun Shanaka | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| 7 | Kamindu Mendis | Karim Janat |
| 8 | Wanindu Hasaranga | Rashid Khan (c) |
| 9 | Dunith Wellalage | Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
| 10 | Dushmantha Chameera | Noor Ahmad |
| 11 | Nuwan Thushara | Fazalhaq Farooqi |
Turning Points Of The Match
- Thushara’s powerplay burst – Three early wickets forced Afghanistan onto the back foot and limited their platform for a bigger total.
- Nabi’s late assault – The sudden acceleration in the final overs lifted Afghanistan from around 120 to 169, putting pressure on the chase.
- Mendis’ unbroken presence – By staying not out throughout, Mendis absorbed pressure and allowed partners to play freely, turning a potentially tense chase into a controlled one.
- Fifth-wicket acceleration – The 52-run stand between the two Mendis brothers in just 23 balls sealed the result and ended any late hopes for Afghanistan.
Top Players from SL vs AFG Match Scorecard
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kusal Mendis | Sri Lanka | Batter / Keeper | 74* (52) |
| Nuwan Thushara | Sri Lanka | Bowler | 4/18 (4) |
| Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | All-rounder | 60 (22) & 1/20 |
| Kamindu Mendis | Sri Lanka | Batter | 26* (13) |
| Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | Batter | 24 (27) |
Kusal Mendis – Match-Winning Knock
His unbeaten 74 off 52 was the standout performance in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard. Mendis handled Afghanistan’s varied spin attack with smart placement and calculated aggression, earning Player of the Match.
Nuwan Thushara – Brilliant Bowling Spell
Four wickets for 18 runs, including early breakthroughs and the dismissal of Rashid Khan, made him the standout bowler in this SL vs AFG contest. His control at both ends of the innings restricted Afghanistan’s scoring rate.
Mohammad Nabi – Impact Performance
Nabi’s late fireworks nearly dragged Afghanistan to a defendable total and kept them competitive until the final overs of the chase.
Asia Cup 2025 Overview and Series Context
This was the final Group B match of Asia Cup 2025. Sri Lanka finished with three wins from three (6 points, NRR +1.278) and topped the group. Bangladesh (4 points) also qualified. Afghanistan ended with one win and two losses (2 points) and were eliminated alongside Hong Kong.
Sri Lanka advanced to the Super Four unbeaten in the group stage after this Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team result. The outcome confirmed the Super Four line-up of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Head-to-Head Record
In T20Is (including this match), Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have played 9 matches. Sri Lanka lead 6–3.
| Format | Matches Played | Sri Lanka Won | Afghanistan Won | Tied / No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| T20I | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
Why Sri Lanka Won the SL vs AFG Clash
- Superior powerplay bowling that restricted Afghanistan early.
- Nuwan Thushara’s four-wicket haul.
- Kusal Mendis’ calm, unbeaten anchoring innings.
- Effective middle-order partnerships that kept the required rate manageable.
- Better handling of pressure in the chase despite Nabi’s late surge.
- Disciplined death bowling that limited damage after the middle overs.
Importance of the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match
For Sri Lanka, the win completed a perfect group stage and boosted confidence heading into the Super Four. It reinforced their batting depth and bowling variety.
For Afghanistan, the defeat ended their Asia Cup 2025 campaign despite strong individual performances from Nabi and solid contributions from Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran. The result highlighted areas for improvement in middle-order consistency and death-over execution.
The outcome also confirmed Bangladesh’s qualification, shaping the Super Four group.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from Asia Cup 2025 shows a well-executed chase built on Kusal Mendis’ composure and Nuwan Thushara’s early breakthroughs. Mohammad Nabi’s explosive 60 gave Afghanistan hope, but Sri Lanka’s measured batting and clinical bowling proved decisive in this SL vs AFG encounter.
Sri Lanka’s six-wicket victory with eight balls remaining sealed their place at the top of Group B and sent them into the Super Four undefeated in the group stage. Fans following Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Matches can expect both teams to use the lessons from this contest as they look ahead to future T20 assignments.
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FAQs
1. Where can I check the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard?
Official sources such as Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo carry the complete verified scorecard for the 11th match of Asia Cup 2025 Group B.
2. Who was the top scorer in the SL vs AFG match?
Kusal Mendis scored an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls for Sri Lanka. Mohammad Nabi top-scored for Afghanistan with 60 off 22.
3. Who took the most wickets in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match?
Nuwan Thushara claimed 4 wickets for 18 runs.
4. What was the final result of SL vs AFG?
Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets with 8 balls remaining after chasing 170.
5. Where was the match played?
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on 18 September 2025.
6. Who was Player of the Match?
Kusal Mendis for his unbeaten 74.
