Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Match Highlights & Results

We have our Super Fours - Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan en route to the next round, while others will take planes to their home. Just one more game remaining in the Group Stages. It's India taking on Oman. Do join us on the 19th of this month at 2.30 pm GMT. You can join us earlier for the build up. Till then, cheers!

Charith Asalanka, the skipper of Sri Lanka says that he is really pleased with the performance. Adds that it was almost a perfect game for them, the pacers doing well early and it was just the last over that went wrong. Says that Nuwan Thushara has been really good with the new ball and he always gets a wicket and bowls 2-3 overs up front. Mentions that the catches were amazing, Kusal Perera and Dushmantha Chameera were outstanding taking those. Tells that they want to be the best fielding side in the country in this format and always try to put their all. Ends by saying that the fans have been brilliant and hopes that they continue to support in the same way in the next round.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan praised Mohammad Nabi's incredible performance, particularly in the last over of the innings. Nabi's awareness of the spinner's upcoming over allowed him to play strategically, and his hitting of 5 sixes in that over was remarkable. Khan described the way they finished the innings as 'really special.' Khan noted that the pitch wasn't typical of Abu Dhabi's spinning tracks and that chasing a target of 170-180 would require good cricketing shots. He reflected on their previous game, where they missed a chance to chase down a modest total, highlighting the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. Looking ahead, Khan emphasized the need for his team to learn from their mistakes and move forward. Despite extensive preparation for ICC events over the past three years, Afghanistan's performance in this competition fell short of expectations. Khan vowed to analyze their shortcomings and return stronger in the future.

Kusal Mendis wins the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD for his match-winning innings. He says that he is happy with his knock and the result. Also praises Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis for the way they batted. Mentions that the Afghan spinners are faster than the others, so he tried to play behind the wicket more. Says that now they have to play three good teams in the Super Four, but they have a balanced squad and is looking forward to the challenge

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Rashid Khan's bowling changes were a bit questionable as well. Azmatullah Omarzai bowled superbly inside the Powerplay but ended up bowling just two overs while their heavy-spin attack failed to stem the run flow. However, if truth be told, Afghanistan needed more runs as Mohammad Nabi's lone magical effort in the fag end of the innings helped Afghanistan end on a high, but not with enough runs on the board.

Afghanistan struggled to pick wickets. They managed two scalps inside the Powerplay but Kusal Mendis blossomed at the top with contributions from Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis to keep the scoreboard ticking. Sri Lanka needed one big innings from their top three, and Mendis answered with a fine, fine innings of high quality. His innings was nicely paced with a lot of running and finding gaps as the pitch got tricky to bat under the lights.

Two overs that changed the course of the game. Afghanistan were 120/7 in 18 overs, dead and buried as their batting failed dearly but cometh the hour, cometh the man, Mr. President, Mohammad Nabi went berserk in the last two overs as Afghanistan scored 49 runs with Nabi scoring five sixes in the final over. Afghanistan had all the momentum and with the tail up, they were expected to flourish with the ball but not to be.

Sri Lanka cross the line and are into the Super Fours but it's their arch-rivals Bangladesh who are enjoying as well. Yes, with Sri Lanka, it's Bangladesh who qualify for the Super Fours. Afghanistan on the other hand, had things in their hand but apart from that, TWO OVERS in the first innings, it was an abysmal performance.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! JOB DONE! Kusal Mendis finishes off in style! Shorter delivery on middle, Kusal Mendis pulls it to the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. He is pumped up and punches the air in celebration. Sri Lanka win by 6 wickets.

We can see a few Bangladeshi supporters present in the stadium, and they have started celebrating as they know they are on the verge of qualification as well. Afghanistan are closing in on another heartbreak.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! Another boundary required! Shorter and wide of off. Kusal Mendis frees his arms and cuts it past backward point, the fielder is too wide and it rolls to the fence.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kamindu Mendis, 1 run.Flatter delivery, around off. Kamindu nudges it to mid-wicket for a single. He wants another run but is sent back. Sri Lanka do not want any kind of trouble at this point. Just 7 runs needed.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kamindu Mendis, 2 runs.Tossed up on middle, Kamindu Mendis flicks it to deep square leg where a misfield allows a couple of runs.

Just 10 runs needed now for Sri Lanka! Surely, they can't lose it from here, can they? We saw them struggling a bit under pressure against Hong Kong, China, in the last game, but they will hope there are no more hiccups here. Here's Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl the penultimate over.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, 2 runs.A gentle full toss on middle, Kusal Mendis gets inside the line and low to whack it to deep mid-wicket. Sediqullah Atal runs to his left, dives and stops to save a couple. 15 runs off the over.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kamindu Mendis, 1 run.Fazalhaq Farooqi pushes it full and just outside off. Kamindu steps across and lofts it to long on who picks up on a bonunce.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kamindu Mendis, Six!SIX! Sri Lanka want to finish it off now! Drops it short and climbs onto the batter, on leg. Kamindu pulls it over fine leg and it goes all the way. 12 runs in four balls.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Overpitches and keeps it away from the batter, outside off. Kusal works it to long off for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! 150 up for Sri Lanka! Short of a length and on middle, bowls the off-cutter but the length was poor. Kusal Mendis pulls it in the gap to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kamindu Mendis, 1 run.Short of a length and on middle, Kamindu tries to lap it over but edges it to the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who dives forward but fails to carry it cleanly. It rolls away for a quick single.

Time for some pace now as Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-0-23-0) comes back into the attack. The umpire has also given a warning to Afghanistan for not starting the over in time.

Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, 1 run.Tossed up around off, Kamindu goes for the big slog-sweep but mistimes it on the leg side for a single. 17 runs off the over.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Width given again, outside off. Kusal Mendis looks to cut but bottom edges it to short third man for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! UP AND OVER! Keeps it on a length and bowls it wide of off with not much turn. Kusal Mendis gets big as he opens himself and thumps it over extra-cover for a boundary.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, No run.Drops it flat and quick, outside off. Kusal Mendis looks to reverse hit but misses.

Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, 2 Wides!TWO WIDES! Slides it well down the leg side. Kamindu fails to hit it. The keeper fumbles to collect and it rolls to short fine leg for one.

Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, 2 runs.Flatter delivery around off, Kamindu sweeps it to deep square leg. Two fielders converge in the deep to save a couple.

Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, Six!SIX! Welcome boundary! Huge six! Floats it full and on middle, Kamindu slog-sweeps it high and to long on where it goes the distance. Huge, huge six.

Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, Wide!Wide! Was there a bat on it? Bowls it full and going down the leg side. Kamindu looks too sweep but misses. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fails to pick up cleanly but Afghanistan are disappointed as the umpire deems it as a wide.

Rashid Khan to Kamindu Mendis, 1 run.Fractionally short and around off, Kamindu pulls it while cramping for some room, hits it to mid-wicket for one.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Rashid Khan bowls with a bit of width and bowls it full. Kusal Mendis uses his feet and hits it to long on for a single.

Rashid Khan to Kamindu Mendis, 1 run.Tossed up full and on middle, Kamindu sweeps it in front of square on the leg side for one.

Halt in play! Rashid Khan is flat on the ground and in a lot of pain. The Afghan players have surrounded their captain while the physio is out as well. Good to see Rashid Khan back on his feet. He seems okay. Still walking gingerly though.

Rashid Khan to Kamindu Mendis, No run.Ohh! Tossed up on middle, Kamindu chips it back just over Rashid Khan who runs back and tries hard but it falls safely. Khan sees Kusal out of his line and quickly goes into the ground to pick up. He throws it back but misses his shy. Kusal Mendis would have gone for all the money. Trouble for Rashid Khan as he has hurt his back in the process.

Rashid Khan to Kamindu Mendis, 2 runs.On the pads with a straighter line. Kamindu flicks it wide of deep square leg. Pushes hard for the second and gets it.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.A googly on middle, comes in by a long way. Kusal chops it to point for a quick single.

Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, 2 runs.Drops it flat and on middle, spinning in. Kamindu gets his front foot across and sweeps it behind square on the leg side for a couple.

Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, Wide!Wide! Tossed up, sliding down the leg side. Kamindu Mendis looks to flick but misses.

Kamindu Mendis is the next batter in.

Noor Ahmad to Charith Asalanka, OUT! c Rashid Khan b Noor Ahmad.OUT! GONE! What a catch by the skipper. Drops it short and quicker around off. Asalanka rocks back and opens up his body to pull, hits it flat and to deep mid-wicket where Rashid Khan slides in and takes it low. It wasn't easy as it was hit flat and dipping towards the fielder. Much-needed wicket.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Keeps the length up and bowls it on middle, Mendis works it to long on for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, No run.Pushes across a length ball, outside off. Mendis looks to push it away on the off side but misses.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! Poor ball and punished! Fifty for Kusal Mendis! Too full and down the leg side, Mendis sweeps it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. Kusal Mendis needs to continue as the job is not yet finished.

Noor Ahmad to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.Noor Ahmad begins with a fuller delivery, outside off, Asalanka drags it to long on for a single.

Noor Ahmad is back into the attack.

Mohammad Nabi to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.Flatter delivery on leg, slower in the air. Asalanka flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Charith Asalanka, 2 runs.An arm ball, full and outside off, driven to long off for a quick couple of runs. Good running.

Mohammad Nabi to Charith Asalanka, Four!FOUR! Asalanka again finds the gap! Two excellent shots from Asalanka! Nabi bowls it slowly but gives width outside off. Asalanka cuts it through backward point fora boundary.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Mohammad Nabi bowls a quicker delivery to the right-hander, this is on leg, pulled to deep square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.Slows up the arm ball on middle, Asalanka nicely pushes it to long off for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Nabi bowls it quick and short on leg. Mendis gets low to pull behind square leg for a single.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.MISFIELD! Pitched up delivery, outside off. Mendis drives it hard to cover where the fielder gets a hand on it and lets it roll through for a single.

Rashid Khan to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.Tossed up on middle, Asalanka nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Sri Lanka have reached the 101-mark, which means they have officially qualified for the next round.

Rashid Khan to Charith Asalanka, Four!FOUR! In the gap! Nicely played! 101 comes up and Sri Lanka have qualified. Shorter and outside off, Asalanka plays with an angled bat through backward point and it rolls into the fence.

Rashid Khan to Charith Asalanka, No run.Flatter and around off, a googly. Asalanka knocks it straight to cover.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Touch flatter and on middle, Mendis nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, No run.SO CLOSE! Rashid Khan at his best! Fuller-length delivery, outside off and it was the googly. Mendis looks to sweep but misses and it whizzes past the off pole.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Charith Asalanka, No run.Tossed up, full and around off, Asalanka defends it solidly.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.A half-tracker on middle, Kusal Mendis pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.Very full and on middle, Asalanka eases it to long on for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Charith Asalanka, 2 runs.Mujeeb Ur Rahman drops it on a length and outside off, Asalanka strokes it through covers for a couple of runs.

Charith Asalanka walks in next.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera, OUT! c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Mujeeb Ur Rahman.OUT! EDGED AND GONE! The partnership is broken! Mujeeb Ur Rahman floats it on a length and outside off, turns slightly in. Kusal Perera is drawn forward to push it but gets a faint outside edge to the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who makes no mistake. Perfect time for Afghanistan to get in a wicket.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera, Four!FOUR! Plays with the field! Floats it full and around off, Kusal Perera brings out the reverse sweep and hits it well over short third man for a boundary. There was no one in the deep.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, No run.Bowls a googly, tight around off. Mendis dabs it straight to short third man.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Very full and darting on the pads, Perera nudges it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.TOP EDGE AND LANDS SAFELY! Rashid Khan bowls it flat and generates some extra bounce on middle, Perera looks to pull with soft hands but top edges it past short fine leg for a couple of runs.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Fuller delivery on middle and leg, Mendis sweeps it firmly through square leg for one more.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Drops it slightly short, outside off. Perera cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Rashid Khan starts with a wrong 'un, full and on middle, Mendis nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! At the halfway mark, Sri Lanka are 82/2, and at the same stage, Afghanistan were 63/3. So, the Lankans are much ahead in the chase. Kusal Mendis is batting beautifully here, with nice support from Kusal Perera. They are now on the brink of qualification, needing just 19 runs, but will want to win this game to boost their confidence. Bangladesh will certainly hope that is the case. Afghanistan needs to tighten things up more, and it all depends on how the four spinners bowl from now on. An exciting phase of cricket awaits us.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera, Four!FOUR! CHANCE! Tossed up full and on middle, Kusal Perera slog-sweeps it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder was stationed there but yards in front of the ropes. The ball travels over him and into the fence.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Tossed up on leg, tailing in a bit. Mendis sweeps it to deep square leg for one more.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, 2 runs.Floats it full and outside off, Mendis lofts it down to long off for an easy couple of runs.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Quicker, flatter and outside off. Perera backs away and cuts it through cover for a run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Mujeeb Ur Rahman pushes it full and drifting a bit on off, Mendis drops it to cover for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Flatter delivery, outside off, spins away. Perera slaps it to deep point for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Perera, Leg bye.Leg bye! An optimistic appeal but this was going down. A googly, bowled on the pads. Perera fails to flick it away and gets hit on the pads. It rolls on the leg side for a leg bye.

Afghanistan cannot afford to give away extras. They have already conceded 11 runs through wides.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Perera, 5 Wides!FIVE WIDES! Freebies! Drops it short and quick, down the leg side. Perera fails to connect and it rolls past the keeper to the fine leg fence.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Noor Ahmad bowls a googly on the fuller side and around off, Mendis sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, No run.Length delivery, outside off. Mendis dabs it straight to short third man. Good over so far for Afghans.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Very full and around off, Perera clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.TWO MORE! Boundaries are hard to come by, so Sri Lanka are running hard. Flatter delivery on middle, Perera flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.

The Afghan spin quartet is into the attack now. Rashid Khan will look to rotate between them and not let the Sri Lankan batters settle in. A crucial phase in this chase.

Noor Ahmad to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.Tossed up, around off, Perera nudges it to deep mid-wicket. Runs the first one hard and goes for the second. The throw comes in at the bowler's end but the fielder misses his shy. Two runs.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera, 1 run.DROP AND RUN! Tossed up full and around off, Kusal Perera taps it in front of cover for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera, No run.Mohammad Nabi slows up the pace, gives a bit of flight and bowls it on middle and leg. Kusal Perera leans to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. A huge appeal from Afghanistan, mainly from Mohammad Nabi but turned down. The replay shows there was an inside edge.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Touch fuller and on middle and leg. Mendis rocks back and nudges it to square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis, No run.Another dot! Mohammad Nabi bowls a bit quicker, shorter and on leg, Mendis looks to sweep again but misses and gets hit on the body.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis, No run.Flatter delivery on middle, hangs low a bit. Mendis gets on his knee to sweep but finds the man at short fine leg.

Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera, 1 run.This is full and outside off, Kusal Perera drives it to deep cover for a single.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, No run.Beaten! Slower through the air, full and around off, skids through with no turn, Kusal Mendis looks to work it across the line but misses it completely. Just 4 runs off Rashid's first over. Sri Lanka needs 44 runs to seal qualification for the Super Four.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Flighted, full and on leg, Kusal Perera tucks it away through mid-wicket for one.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.Flatter, full and on middle, Kusal Mendis goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for another run.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, No run.Tossed up, full and on off, Kusal Mendis defends it on the front foot.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera, 1 run.Goes short and around off, Kusal Perera cuts it away to deep point for a run.

Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.A googly, full and on midle, turns in, Kusal Mendis works it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a single.