Mohammad Nabi made an aggressive knock and helped Afghanistan to stabilise the innings after a mini collapse during the Asia Cup 2025 clash against Sri Lanka.

His 60 run knock off 22 deliveries which included 3 fours and 6 sixes has pushed Afghanistan’s total to 169 runs in their 20 over innings. In the final over, Nabi went on to smash five sixes coverting it into a 32 run over.

Batting first, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal opened the innings while Nuwan Thusara opened the bowling attack.

Nuwan Thusara went on to dismiss the entire top order bagging the wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (14), Karim Janat (1) and Sediqullah Atal (18).

Zadran tried to make some resistance scoring 24 runs but Dunith Wellalage sent him back to dug out. Darwish Rasooli and Omarzai’s dismissal further hurted Afghanistan as they lost five wickets for 71 runs.

However, Mohammad Nabi along with Rashid Khan has made a solid partnership putting the side to post 169 runs in their 20 over innings.

Despite an impressive bowling performance, Sri Lanka leaked 32 runs in the final over which made Afghanistan to make a competitive total.

Nuwan Thushara went on to pick 4 wickets, while Chameera, Wellalage and Shanaka picked one wicket each.

Speaking at the toss, Rashid Khan said, ” We would like to bat first. Runs on the board is important on this wicket. It is a must-win game, we have to keep it simple and do the basics right.”

“It is a new surface, we have played a lot in Abu Dhabi, 165+ is a good score. We have a couple of changes,” concluded Rashid Khan.

Meanwhile Charith Asalanka said, “I would have done the same thing. We have spoken about our middle order batting, we have two in-form openers and that is an advantage for us. We have to improve our middle order batting, we want to execute than talking. We have one change – Wellalage for Theekshana.”

Sri Lanka Playing 11: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (W), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (C), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mandis, Wanindu Hasarata, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameraa, Nuwan Thushraa

Afghanistan Playing 11: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (W), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasoololi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad,, Fazalhaq Farooqi