Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to qualify for the Asia Cup Super Four stage, eliminating their opponents in the process. Opener Kusal Mendis steered Sri Lanka to a six-wicket victory with a perfectly-paced 74 off 52 balls. Sri Lanka’s victory also ensured Bangladesh joined them in the next stage, alongside Group A qualifiers India and Pakistan.
Afghanistan looked to have recovered well after slipping to 79-6 in the 13th over, with Mohammad Nabi smashing 60 off 22 balls, including five consecutive sixes off the first five balls of the 20th over bowled by Dunith Wellalage.
Nabi was run out going for a second run off the final ball of the innings, but his lusty blows dragged Afghanistan to a respectable 169-8, Nuwan Thushara finishing with 4-18. Sri Lanka only needed 101 to ensure they qualified via net run-rate regardless of the result, but they surged to victory with eight balls remaining.
Kamindu Mendis struck two sixes in a 13-ball cameo. The group stage concludes with India facing already-eliminated Oman on Friday before Sri Lanka opens the Super Four round of matches against Bangladesh on Saturday. India and Pakistan face each other in Dubai on Sunday. The final is on 28 September.
India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, were the first to progress from Group A. Pakistan sealed the second slot from the group with a crucial 41-run win over the UAE. From Group B, Sri Lanka topped the standings with three wins out of three, while Bangladesh grabbed the final berth after Afghanistan faltered against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
