"Opening batter Kusal Mendis's unbeaten 74 off 52 balls anchored Sri Lanka's authoritative run-chase of 171-4 on Thursday against spin-heavy Afghanistan with more than an over to spare. Mohammad Nabi's (60) five big sixes against spinner Dunith Wellalage in the final over provided Afghanistan hope as they posted 169-8 after captain Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bat. Mendis neutralised the spin trio with his well-executed sweep shots."
"Wrist spinner Noor Ahmad went for 1-37 off his three overs in a rare expensive T20 figures for the left-arm spinner. Rashid also couldn't penetrate through the defences of Mendis in a quiet middle overs to return with 0-23 off his four overs. Nabi (1-20) got the wicket in the powerplay when Kamil Mishra chipped a low catch into the covers before Mendis and Kusal Perera (28) put the chase back on track with a 45-run stand."
"Captain Charith Asalanka made 17 off 12 balls before Kamindu Mendis (26 not out) and Kusal countercharged Ahmad and fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi (0-38) in the death overs. We did not bowl as well as we should have, and that is why we did not win, Rashid said. We had a great chance in the last game [against Bangladesh]; we did not chase 150."
Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in Abu Dhabi, eliminating Afghanistan from the 2025 Asia Cup and topping Group B. Afghanistan posted 169-8 after Mohammad Nabi scored 60, including five sixes off Dunith Wellalage in the final over. Kusal Mendis anchored Sri Lanka's chase with an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls, neutralising Afghanistan's spin attack with well-executed sweep shots. Kusal Perera added 28 in a 45-run stand with Mendis, and Kamindu Mendis finished 26 not out. Noor Ahmad was expensive (1-37), Rashid Khan went wicketless (0-23), Nuwan Thushara took 4-18, and Bangladesh also advanced to the Super 4.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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