Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Asia Cup highlights: Kusal Mendis' unbeaten 74* guides Sri Lanka to 6-wicket win

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'.

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. 

18.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, 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.

18.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, 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.

18.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kamindu Mendis, 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.

18.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kamindu Mendis, 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.

17.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, 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.

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

17.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kamindu Mendis, 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. 

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

17.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, 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.

17.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kamindu Mendis, 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.

16.6: Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, 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.

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

16.4: Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

16.3: Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, Drops it flat and quick, outside off. Kusal Mendis looks to reverse hit but misses.

16.3: Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, 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.

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

16.1: Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, 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.

16.1: Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, 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.

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

15.5: Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 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.

15.4: Rashid Khan to Kamindu Mendis, 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.

15.3: Rashid Khan to Kamindu Mendis, 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.

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

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

14.6: Noor Ahmad to Kamindu Mendis, 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.

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

Kamindu Mendis is the next batter in.

14.5: Noor Ahmad to Charith Asalanka, 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.

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

14.3: Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, Pushes across a length ball, outside off. Mendis looks to push it away on the off side but misses.

14.2: Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, 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.

14.1: Noor Ahmad to Charith Asalanka, 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.

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

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

13.4: Mohammad Nabi to Charith Asalanka, 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.

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

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

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

12.6: Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 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.

12.5: Rashid Khan to Charith Asalanka, 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. 

12.4: Rashid Khan to Charith Asalanka, 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.

12.3: Rashid Khan to Charith Asalanka, Flatter and around off, a googly. Asalanka knocks it straight to cover.

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

12.1: Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 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.

11.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up, full and around off, Asalanka defends it solidly.

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

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

11.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Charith Asalanka, 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.

11.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera, 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.

11.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera, 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.

10.6: Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, Bowls a googly, tight around off. Mendis dabs it straight to short third man.

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

10.4: Rashid Khan to Kusal Perera, 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.

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

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

10.1: Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 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. 

9.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Perera, 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.

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

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

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

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

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

8.6: Noor Ahmad to Kusal Perera, 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.

8.6: Noor Ahmad to Kusal Perera, 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. 

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

8.4: Noor Ahmad to Kusal Mendis, Length delivery, outside off. Mendis dabs it straight to short third man. Good over so far for Afghans.

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

8.2: Noor Ahmad to Kusal Perera, 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.

8.1: Noor Ahmad to Kusal Perera, 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.

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

7.5: Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera, 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.

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

7.3: Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis, 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.

7.2: Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis, Flatter delivery on middle, hangs low a bit. Mendis gets on his knee to sweep but finds the man at short fine leg.

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

6.6: Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 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.

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

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

6.3: Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, full and on off, Kusal Mendis defends it on the front foot.

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

6.1: Rashid Khan to Kusal Mendis, 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.

The skipper, Rashid Khan is into the attack.

5.6: Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis, Short again, on middle, Kusal Mendis nudges it through mid-wicket for on. Sri Lanka are 53/2 at the end of the Powerplay!

5.5: Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera, Quicker, short and on leg, Kusal Perera swipes it away wide of deep square leg for one.

5.4: Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera, FOUR! Put away! Flighted, full and on middle, Kusal Perera goes down and sweeps it away nicely through backward square leg. The fielder in the deep is too square and has no chance as the ball races to the fence for a boundary. 50 UP FOR LANKA!

5.3: Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Perera, Slows it up, full and on middle, Kusal Perera defends it on the front foot.

Kusal Perera is the new man in.

5.2: Mohammad Nabi to Kamil Mishara, OUT! TAKEN! Mohammad Nabi cannot do anything wrong in this game! He did it with the bat, now doing it with the ball. He tosses it up, full and around off, Kamil Mishara gets tempted into the drive. He strides forward but gets beaten on the flight and just lobs it straight to short covers, where Ibrahim Zadran takes a dolly. Mishara struggled to get going here, and walks back for 4 off 10. Sri Lanka are 47/2, still needing 123 runs in 88 balls.

5.1: Mohammad Nabi to Kusal Mendis, Flatter, full and on middle, angles away, Kusal Mendis knocks it towards mid off for a quick single.

Change. Mohammad Nabi is into the attack.

4.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kusal Mendis, Slower one, full and on middle, Kusal Mendis taps it towards covers for one more.

4.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kamil Mishara, Bangs this into the pitch, on middle and leg, takes pace off, Kamil Mishara mistimes his pull towards deep square leg for just one.

4.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length and outside off, Kusal Mendis cuts it away to deep point for a run.

4.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Poor bowling and rightly punished! Azmatullah Omarzai goes fuller but angling into the pads, Kusal Mendis just has to get some bat on that and tickles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

4.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kamil Mishara, Good length and on off, Kamil Mishara uses his feet but only manages to bunt it off the upper half of the bat towards mid off for a single.

4.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kamil Mishara, Fuller and on off, Kamil Mishara pushes it to short covers.

3.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length and on middle, Kusal Mendis heaves it away towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. 13 runs off the over!

3.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Nicely done! Fazalhaq Farooqi sees the batter advance a bit, bangs this into the pitch, on middle, angling in. Kusal Mendis picks up the length early and plays the short-arm jab in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.

3.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, FIVE WIDES! Free runs for Sri Lanka! Bangladeshi hearts will be beating fast with every run here. Fazalhaq Farooqi loses his line and hits the length hard, on middle and leg, this one shapes a long way to the leg side. Kusal Mendis fails to glance it away, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz also fails to stop it with a dive to his left as the ball rolls to the fine leg fence.

3.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, WIDE! Pitched up but just outside the tramline, Kusal Mendis lets it go. Wided.

3.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kamil Mishara, Back of a length and on middle, nips back in, Kamil Mishara tries to play at it but gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a run.

3.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kamil Mishara, Good length and on middle, attacking the stumps, Kamil Mishara blocks it out well.

3.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kamil Mishara, Goes fuller and outside off, shapes away, very close to the tramline, Kamil Mishara fails to reach for it. Not called a wide!

3.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length and outside off, Kusal Mendis cuts it to deep point for a single.

2.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kamil Mishara, And again! Back of a length and outside off, shapes away, Kamil Mishara goes for the cut but misses. Rahmanullah Gurbaz dives to his left to collect it nicely. Just 2 runs and a big wicket from the over!

2.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kamil Mishara, A massive appeal for caught behind, but turned down! Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the keeper, looks very interested, and Rashid Khan, after thinking for a while, goes for the review. Azmatullah Omarzai bangs this into the pitch around off, angling it away, Kamil Mishara slashes at it but looks like he misses. UltraEdge shows no spike, and Afghanistan lose a review early.

2.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kusal Mendis, Touch fuller and on leg, Kusal Mendis clips it to mid-wicket for a run.

2.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kamil Mishara, On a length and on leg Kamil Mishara flicks it thorugh square leg for a single.

Kamil Mishara comes to the middle.

2.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! TAKEN! Are we seeing an action replay from the Afghan innings? They lost their first wicket in the 3rd over, and the same has happened here for the Lankans. Azmatullah Omarzai lands this back of a length and around leg, begging to be put away. Pathum Nissanka hooks it away, knowing that short fine is up in the circle but fails to keep it down and hits it from the bottom half of the bat straight at that fielder. Mujeeb Ur Rahman shows good reflexes and dives forward to take a fine catch as the ball was travelling really fast. A big wicket for Afghanistan as Nissanka walks back cheaply here. Sri Lanka are 22/1, chasing 170!

2.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Pathum Nissanka, Good length and on middle, Pathum Nissanka gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

1.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! 13 runs off Mujeeb's first over! He bowls it short again and around middle, turns in,  Kusal Mendis goes down quickly and heaves it away to the vacant deep square leg fence for another boundary. Afghanistan were 26/0 at the same stage, but it started to derail from the third over.

1.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, Dragged back, on middle, Kusal Mendis moves back and swipes it away wide of deep square leg for a brace.

1.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, Slows it up, full and on off, Kusal Mendis knocks it down the pitch.

1.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Easy pickings! Mujeeb Ur Rahman errs in line and darts this full, but angling down the leg side, Kusal Mendis just uses the pace to glance it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

1.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kusal Mendis, Floated, full and on middle, Kusal Mendis steps across and clips it away towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.

1.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter, short and on middle, angles in, Pathum Nissanka stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to share the attack.

0.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, Much better! Pitched up and on middle, shaping in a shy bit, Kusal Mendis almost gets beaten on the inside edge, but just manages to get some bat on it to keep it out. 9 runs off the first over!

0.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Fazalhaq Farooqi goes fuller but wide outside off, Kusal Mendis does well to reach out for it and carves it away over cover-point for another boundary. Not good bowling this!

0.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, A bit fuller, similar line and angling away, Kusal Mendis leaves it alone.

0.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kusal Mendis, Play and a miss! Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls this on a good length and on off, angling across the batter, Kusal Mendis has a slash at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

0.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length and on middle, Pathum Nissanka backs away and cuts it to deep point for a single.

0.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Streaky but Sri Lanka won't mind! Fazalhaq Farooqi goes fuller and outside off, angles away, Pathum Nissanka throws his bat at it. Gets an outside edge that flies over the slip cordon for the first boundary of the chase.

Back for the chase. The Afghans are out in the middle. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis to open for Sri Lanka. Fazalhaq Farooqi to bowl first with a slip in place. Let's play...

...THE CHASE...

Sri Lanka will be kicking themselves here, and Charith Asalanka’s call to save Dunith Wellalage for the last over, that too against Nabi backfired badly - it was only ever going to end one way. They had the perfect start with Nuwan Thushara ripping through the top order with three wickets, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka kept things tight in the middle overs to leave Afghanistan reeling at 79/6. But one miscalculation and Dushmantha Chameera's most expensive T20I spell, and suddenly the game turned on its head, with Nabi’s blitz propelling the total to 170. For Sri Lanka, the first milestone will be 101 runs to secure qualification, but they can’t afford to just play for that, as it could heap even more pressure on them. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

Afghanistan were under immense pressure to put runs on the board and it showed early, as they lost three wickets inside the Powerplay. Several batters got starts, but none could kick on, with wickets tumbling regularly and 150 looking well out of reach. Then Mohammad Nabi walked in, and everything changed. He tore into the bowling, smashing it to all parts of the ground. In a breathtaking finish, Nabi hammered 46 runs in the last two, including 5 sixes in the final over, to lift Afghanistan into a commanding position.

Take a bow, Mr. President! Mohammad Nabi has earned that nickname for a reason, and once again, he lived up to it. In a do-or-die clash, when Afghanistan needed a savior, he stepped up with one of the finest T20I knocks under pressure. Blasting 60 off just 22 balls, Nabi turned the tide, powering his side to a formidable total and leaving Sri Lanka rattled despite having control for most of the innings.

19.6: Dunith Wellalage to Mohammad Nabi, OUT! RUN OUT! No six-sixes but Mohammad Nabi has scored 32 runs off the over. 8 short of his current age by the way! A yorker, outside off. Mohammad Nabi carves it to deep point. Pushes for the second run but is late at his end. The fielder, Kusal Perera throws at the keeper's end, where Kusal Mendis does the rest. Afghanistan end with 169/8. 49 runs off the last two overs. WOW!

19.5: Dunith Wellalage to Mohammad Nabi, SIX MOREEEE! Five sixes in the over! Are we in for the six-sixes contest? It is on the cards, certainly! Dunith Wellalage bowls it a bit flat, outside off. Mohammad Nabi rocks back and slams it across over the cow corner region for a six. That brings up the 50-RUN STAND between these two in just 17 BALLS!

19.4: Dunith Wellalage to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! FIFTY FOR NABI IN 20 BALLS! This was on the cards! Keeps it full and outside off, angled away. Mohammad Nabi uses the angle and lofts it over extra-cover for a six. 

19.4: Dunith Wellalage to Mohammad Nabi, NO BALL! Stays away from the hitting arc and pushes it over the tramline, left alone. The keeper does well to stop it. Oh dear, Dunith Wellalage has overstepped. More trouble. The wheels are falling off. Wanindu Hasaranga chats with Dunith Wellalage. Free-hit next.

19.3: Dunith Wellalage to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! SIX NUMBER THREE! Dunith Wellalage bowls in the slot, too full and angled outside off. Mohammad Nabi clears his front leg and tonks it over long on. Result - a six. Also, 150 up for Afghanistan!

19.2: Dunith Wellalage to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! 12 off 2! Flatter and just outside off, into the surface but Mohammad Nabi bends low and smashes it over long on for a biggie. Afghanistan close to 150.

19.1: Dunith Wellalage to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! Could be the game-changing over! Mohammad Nabi loves to play a spinner! Beings with a fuller-length, tossed up, around off. Mohammad Nabi thumps it over long off and it goes the distance.

Who bowls the last over? Well, only one option is left for Charith Asalanka. He has to hand the ball to left-arm spinner, Dunith Wellalage. This one over could make or break this game.

18.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Noor Ahmad, This is Dushmantha Chameera's most expensive T20I spell! Dishes out a yorker, outside off. Noor Ahmad jams it out to the left of long off. Wanindu Hasaranga does well this time to save a couple. 17 runs off the over.

18.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi, A low full toss, around off. Mohammad Nabi whacks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

18.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi, Excellent running! Too full and outside off. Mohammad Nabi hits it down to a run. Afghanistan jog for the first run but Wanindu Hasaranga is slow to the ball and Afghanistan sneak in another run.

18.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! MORE! Streaky but it all counts! Dushmantha Chameera misses his length and bowls a low dipping full toss on middle, Mohammad Nabi opens up his body and flicks but inside edges it to fine leg for a boundary. 

18.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Back-to-back! This is brilliant from Nabi! His experience is coming into play! A full toss on middle and leg. Mohammad Nabi flicks off the wrists to square leg and it races to the fence. 

18.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Wonderful shot from Nabi! A yorker-length delivery, outside off. Mohammad Nabi opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man for a boundary. 

17.6: Nuwan Thushara to Mohammad Nabi, A brilliant spell from Nuwan Thushara comes to an end. Ends with a four-fer! This is full and on middle, Nabi clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

17.5: Nuwan Thushara to Noor Ahmad, Mixes the length, bumps it short and bowls on middle, Noor Ahmad pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

17.4: Nuwan Thushara to Mohammad Nabi, Tad fuller and attacking the stumps. Mohammad Nabi nudges it to mid-wicket for a run.

17.3: Nuwan Thushara to Noor Ahmad, Excellent from Nuwan Thushara! A low dipping fuller delivery on middle, Noor Ahmad tucks it to square leg for a single.

17.2: Nuwan Thushara to Noor Ahmad, Nuwan Thushara bowls it very full and on middle and leg. Noor Ahmad whacks it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 

Noor Ahmad walks out to bat now.

17.1: Nuwan Thushara to Rashid Khan, OUT! CHOPPED ON! Ohh, such an unfortunate way to get out. Rashid Khan is trapped in front as he tries to sweep this fuller delivery but misses and gets hit right in front of the stumps. It hits the outer half and still rolls back onto the stumps. Sri Lanka appeals for LBW, but the ball hits the pads, bounces, and hits the stumps.

16.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! The last ball ruins the over! Still, just 9 runs off the over. Dushmantha Chameera with a lack of pace delivery but the length is too full. Mohammad Nabi rocks back and thumps it over long on and it goes all the way.

16.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Rashid Khan, LANDS SAFELY! Touch fuller and around off, off-cutter from Chameera once again. Rashid Khan swipes across the line and top edges it to mid off where it lands safely. Long off was there but he was well in deep.

16.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Rashid Khan, BEAUTY! Kusal Mendis appeals from behind the stumps this time. Dushmantha Chameera bowls a yorker-length delivery, wide of off. Rashid Khan looks to jam it out but misses. 

16.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Rashid Khan, A huge appeal for LBW but turned down! Rashid Khan is beaten for pace here. Dushmantha Chameera bowls the off-pace delivery, on the fuller side and around off, nips in a bit. Rashid Khan goes back in front of the stumps to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. Sri Lanka review. UltraEdge shows a spike as the ball passes the edge. There is a faint inside edge. Sri Lanka lose the review.

16.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Mohammad Nabi, DROPPED! Rare failure in the field by the Lankans! Short in length and on middle, Mohammad Nabi whacks it to deep square leg where Dunith Wellalage charges in but spills off his hands. Should have been taken. A single.

16.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Rashid Khan, Starts with a pace off delivery, fuller and outside off. Rashid Khan drags his shot to mid-wicket for a single.

15.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan ends his spell with a dot! No wickets for him but ends on the economical side! Keeps the last ball tight, fuller and around off. Nabi blocks it out.

15.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Rashid Khan, The googly, flatter and outside off. Rashid Khan hits it to sweeper cover for a single.

15.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Rashid Khan, Attacks the stumps, tossed up on middle. Rashid Khan uses his feet to work it across but ends up hitting it back to Wanindu Hasaranga.

15.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to Mohammad Nabi, Pitches it up, outside off and spins back in. Mohammad Nabi drives it to deep cover for one more.

15.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Rashid Khan, Drops it slightly short on the quicker side, around off. Rashid Khan carves it over point for a single.

15.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Mohammad Nabi, A googly on the flatter side around off, Mohammad Nabi punches it to point for a single.

14.6: Dasun Shanaka to Rashid Khan, Three dots to end the over! Good comeback from Dasun Shanaka after conceding 11 in the first three balls. Pitched up and on middle, Rashid Khan, without any footwork or backlift, whips it but finds square leg.

14.5: Dasun Shanaka to Rashid Khan, Goes fuller and outside off, Rashid Khan uses his feet and throws his bat at it, but yorks himself and bunts it on the pitch.

14.4: Dasun Shanaka to Rashid Khan, Short of a length and outside off, takes pace off, Rashid Khan tries to ramp it away but fails to connect. He is annoyed with himself.

14.3: Dasun Shanaka to Rashid Khan, SIX! No-look shot comes out now! Fuller and on middle, angling in, Rashid Khan crouches low, without even looking at the ball, plays the short-arm jab using his bottom hand. The ball flies over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 100 UP FOR THE AFGHANS!

14.2: Dasun Shanaka to Rashid Khan, FOUR! Great shot! Dasun Shanaka bangs this into the pitch but well outside off, Rashid Khan frees his arms and slaps it high and wide towards the deep extra cover fence. The fielder from deep point runs to his right and dives but fails to stop the boundary.

14.1: Dasun Shanaka to Mohammad Nabi, Slower one, on a length and on middle, Mohammad Nabi clips it towards square leg for a single.

13.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Rashid Khan, Tossed up, full and around off, Rashid Khan drives it firmly wide of long off for a brace.

13.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Mohammad Nabi, Flighted, full and on off, Mohammad Nabi drives it off the bottom half of the bat to long on for a run.

13.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Rashid Khan, Dragged back and outside off, Rashid Khan cuts it to deep point for a single.

13.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to Rashid Khan, Flatter, short and on middle, Rashid Khan pats it back to the bowler.

13.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Rashid Khan, Short again and on off, Rashid Khan punches it to extra covers.

13.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Rashid Khan, A googly, short and on off, turns in, Rashid Khan steers it to cover-point.

12.6: Dunith Wellalage to Rashid Khan, Looped up, full and on off, Rashid Khan eases it to long off for a run.

12.5: Dunith Wellalage to Rashid Khan, Swing and a miss! Flatter, full and on off, skids through with extra bounce, Rashid Khan goes down to sweep it away but misses.

12.4: Dunith Wellalage to Rashid Khan, Flighted, full and on middle, Rashid Khan blocks it out.

12.3: Dunith Wellalage to Rashid Khan, FOUR! Fine shot! Tossed up, full and on off, Rashid Khan uses his feet to go inside out and lofts it over extra covers for a much-needed boundary.

12.2: Dunith Wellalage to Rashid Khan, Short and outside off, Rashid Khan cuts it away to deep point for a brace.

Rashid Khan comes with Afghanistan in a spot of bother.

12.1: Dunith Wellalage to Ibrahim Zadran, OUT! TAKEN! Another fantastic catch from Sri Lanka! The catching has been top-notch from the Lankans, and Afghanistan slips further here. Dunith Wellalage floats it up, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran skips down the track to loft it down the ground, but cannot quite get to the pitch of it. He still goes through the shot but has to drag it and fails to get the elevation on this one. It flies in the air towards long on where Dushmantha Chameera is standing a few yards in. He has to move back, but judges well to grab it with both hands above his head. However, he falls backwards and slides a bit near the ropes, but stops himself from touching them. The third umpire confirms the same as well. Afghanistan are six down now!

Dunith Wellalage (2-0-10-0) is back on.

11.6: Dasun Shanaka to Ibrahim Zadran, Good length and on midlde, Ibrahim Zadran nudges it towards mid-wicket for one.

11.5: Dasun Shanaka to Ibrahim Zadran, SIX! JUST OVER! Dasun Shanaka bowls a good bouncer, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran goes for the pull but gets hurried as it goes off the top edge. It flies towards deep square leg, where Wanindu Hasaranga, near the ropes backtracks a bit. He leaps and tries to grab it with his outstretched right hand but just parries it over for a biggie. Zadran's heart would have been in his mouth for a moment there, and so was every Afghan's.

11.4: Dasun Shanaka to Mohammad Nabi, Fuller and on middle, Mohammad Nabi clips it through mid-wicket for one.

Mohammad Nabi is the new man in.

11.3: Dasun Shanaka to Azmatullah Omarzai, OUT! DRAGGED ON! That is a big blow for Afghanistan, as the in-form Azmatullah Omarzai walks back cheaply here. Dasun Shanaka takes pace off, lands this back of a length and on off. Omarzai hops up and tries to pull it away but goes through his shot a bit early and the ball does not bounce that much. Gets a bottom edge that crashes onto the stumps. Afghanistan are 71/5, things are not looking good for them here.

11.2: Dasun Shanaka to Ibrahim Zadran, Fuller and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drills it to mid on for a run.

11.1: Dasun Shanaka to Azmatullah Omarzai, On a length and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai guides it to third man for a single.

10.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Ibrahim Zadran, Hard length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran hops up and pats it down the pitch.

10.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Azmatullah Omarzai, Back of a length and on off, Azmatullah Omarzai rides the bounce and dabs it towards point for a single.

10.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Azmatullah Omarzai, EDGED AND FOUR! Nearly another wicket for Dushmantha Chameera! He lands this on a length, on off, shaping away. Azmatullah Omarzai looks to push it away but gets a thick outside edge wide of the keeper. Kusal Mendis dives to his right, and tries to grab it with his outstretched hand, but it just bursts through. The ball beats the dive of first slip to his left and races to the fence.

Azmatullah Omarzai walks out next. 

10.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Darwish Rasooli, OUT! SUPERBLY TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Dushmantha Chameera strikes in his second spell. He bangs this one into the pitch, on off, gets some extra bounce again. Darwish Rasooli backs away and tries to ramp it away, connects well but straight towards third man. Kusal Perera, who is stationed there, judges it well and grabs it just over his head. However, the momentum is taking him over the ropes, he tries to balance on one leg but realises he is going over and flicks the ball in the air. Perera goes over the ropes, then comes back on the field to complete the catch. The third umpire is called in to check whether it is a clean catch or not, and after a few replays, it is deemed to be a fair catch. Perara's second excellent catch of the match. Afghanistan are 64/4 now!

10.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Ibrahim Zadran, Good length and on middle, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it away to deep square leg for a single.

10.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Ibrahim Zadran, PACE AND BOUNCE! Dushmantha Chameera hits the length hard at 142.6 clicks, takes off viciously off the deck, just on off. Ibrahim Zadran tries to push at it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

DRINKS! The runs have dried up for Afghanistan, and they are finding it really difficult to find the boundaries. Ibrahim Zadran has a big role to play for them, as he has to anchor this innings and stay till the end. This wicket is not easy to bat on, and the Afghans will have to target something around 150, which will be a fighting score on this wicket. Sri Lanka have been superb with the ball, with Nuwan Thushara destroying the top order of the Afghans, and then the spinners also keeping the runs in check. They know a couple more wickets, and they can wrap things up pretty quickly here.

9.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ibrahim Zadran, Pushed through on off, Ibrahim Zadran thumps this to sweeper cover's left for one.

9.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Darwish Rasooli, Quicker and flatter on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this off the back foot for a single to long off.

9.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ibrahim Zadran, Good thing for the Afghans is that the batters are minimizing dots but the bad one is they are not finding the fence as well. Fuller on leg, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this to long on for one.

9.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to Darwish Rasooli, Tossed up on middle and leg, Darwish Rasooli flicks this through mid-wicket for another single. 

9.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ibrahim Zadran, Tossed up on leg, Ibrahim Zadran drills this down to long on for one.

9.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ibrahim Zadran, Tossed up on off, Ibrahim Zadran defends this one.

8.6: Dasun Shanaka to Darwish Rasooli, UNPLAYABLE! On a length around off, shaping away from the right-hander. Darwish Rasooli without any footwork, tentatively pokes at it but gets beaten on the outside.

8.5: Dasun Shanaka to Ibrahim Zadran, Good length on leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this through fine leg for one.

8.4: Dasun Shanaka to Darwish Rasooli, Pace off, slower one, short and on off, Darwish Rasooli pulls this to deep mid-wicket for one.

8.3: Dasun Shanaka to Ibrahim Zadran, Short and wide outside off, Ibrahim Zadran smashes this up on his toes towards sweeper cover for one.

8.2: Dasun Shanaka to Ibrahim Zadran, Good length on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran crisply punches this through mid on and scampers back for two.

8.1: Dasun Shanaka to Darwish Rasooli, Almost 5 overs since the last boundary for Afghanistan. Good length on the pads, Darwish Rasooli flicks this through square leg for one.

Change? Nope, Dasun Shanaka to continue.

7.6: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ibrahim Zadran, Floated around off, Ibrahim Zadran works this in the gap towards sweeper cover and runs two.

7.5: Wanindu Hasaranga to Darwish Rasooli, Tossed up, flatter on middle and leg, Darwish Rasooli tucks this to deep mid-wicket fence for a single. 50 up for Afghanistan!

7.4: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ibrahim Zadran, Quicker one, onto the pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this to deep mid-wicket for another single. 

7.3: Wanindu Hasaranga to Ibrahim Zadran, Fuller on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this towards the bowler's left for no run.

7.2: Wanindu Hasaranga to Darwish Rasooli, Tossed up around off, Darwish Rasooli chips this to long off for a single. 

7.1: Wanindu Hasaranga to Darwish Rasooli, That didn't rise at all. Wrong'un around off, Darwish Rasooli backs away and looks to cut but misses out. 

6.6: Dasun Shanaka to Ibrahim Zadran, Back of a length around off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this off his back foot and straight to cover.

6.5: Dasun Shanaka to Darwish Rasooli, On a length around middle and off, Darwish Rasooli punches this down to long off for a single. 

6.4: Dasun Shanaka to Darwish Rasooli, Banana swing on offer for Dasun Shanaka. Good length, wide of off, shaping away from the batter, Darwish Rasooli swings and misses again.

6.3: Dasun Shanaka to Darwish Rasooli, Bumper, around leg, Darwish Rasooli sits down on this.

6.2: Dasun Shanaka to Darwish Rasooli, On a length wide of off, tries to reach at it and swings but misses out.

6.1: Dasun Shanaka to Ibrahim Zadran, Good length around off, Ibrahim Zadran edges this off the outside of his bat towards deep point for one.

5.6: Dunith Wellalage to Ibrahim Zadran, Fuller on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this in the gap and takes one more.

5.5: Dunith Wellalage to Darwish Rasooli, Too full onto the pads, Darwish Rasooli tucks this through mid-wicket and takes one.

5.4: Dunith Wellalage to Ibrahim Zadran, Floated onto the pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this through square leg for a single. 

5.3: Dunith Wellalage to Ibrahim Zadran, Fuller on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran drives this to cover for no run.

5.2: Dunith Wellalage to Darwish Rasooli, Fuller around off, Darwish Rasooli punches this away for a single to get off the mark.

5.1: Dunith Wellalage to Ibrahim Zadran, Slower around middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran jumps down the track and flicks this through mid-wicket to score a run.

4.6: Nuwan Thushara to Darwish Rasooli, Good length and on off, Darwish Rasooli stabs it out towards short covers. Nuwan Thushara's figure reads as 3-0-12-3! Superb stuff!

Darwish Rasooli walks out next.

4.5: Nuwan Thushara to Sediqullah Atal, OUT! CASTLED! Nuwan Thushara is on absolute fire here! The call from Charith Asalanka to give him the third over has worked wonders for Sri Lanka. This is fuller in length and on middle, gets it to swing in sharply and late too. Sediqullah Atal tries to drive it with a straight bat but plays down the wrong line, as the ball goes through the gap between bat and pad to rattle the stumps. Atal departs for 18 off 14, and Afghanistan are 40/3, and in deep trouble!

4.4: Nuwan Thushara to Ibrahim Zadran, On a length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran pats it down the pitch between mid on and mid off for a run.

4.4: Nuwan Thushara to Ibrahim Zadran, WIDE! Pitched but drifting down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran fails to glance it away. Wided.

4.3: Nuwan Thushara to Ibrahim Zadran, BEATEN! Fuller again and on off, shapes away a bit, Ibrahim Zadran goes for the big drive on the up but gets beaten on the outside edge.

4.2: Nuwan Thushara to Sediqullah Atal, Fuller and on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal clips it through square leg for a single.

4.1: Nuwan Thushara to Sediqullah Atal, A wide yorker, outside off, Sediqullah Atal can only jam it out beside the pitch on the off side.

3.6: Dunith Wellalage to Ibrahim Zadran, Gives this one some more air, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it wide of the bowler. Dunith Wellalage dives to his left on the follow-through and makes a fine stop. Just 5 runs off the over!

3.5: Dunith Wellalage to Ibrahim Zadran, Slows it up, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it to short covers.

3.4: Dunith Wellalage to Sediqullah Atal, Flighted, full and on leg, Sediqullah Atal tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single. A wild throw from the fielder at the bowler's end, but the back up is good.

3.3: Dunith Wellalage to Sediqullah Atal, Fires a yorker aronund off, Sediqullah Atal digs it out to the off side.

3.2: Dunith Wellalage to Sediqullah Atal, Tossed up, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal pushes it to covers.

3.1: Dunith Wellalage to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR! Good use of the feet! Floated, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal charges down the track and thumps it to the long off fence for a boundary.

Ibrahim Zadran walks out next. 

2.6: Nuwan Thushara to Karim Janat, OUT! BOWLED'EM! That's an absolute scorcher from Nuwan Thushara! He started with a wicket and finished with another to end the over. This is on a good length, lands on middle and leg and shapes away sharply. Karim Janat is caught in his crease and tries to work it across the line, but plays all over it as he fails to take into account the away movement. The ball goes past the outside edge and rattles the off pole. Promoting Janat does not work out for the Afghans, as they are two down now!

2.5: Nuwan Thushara to Sediqullah Atal, Pitched up, on middle and shaping in, Sediqullah Atal fails to work it away as the ball deflects off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye taken. There is also a slight appeal for LBW, but turned down!

2.4: Nuwan Thushara to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR LEG BYES! Nuwan Thushara loses his line a bit and serves this full, but down the leg side. Sediqullah Atal misses his flick but the ball goes off his pads and past the diving keeper to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

2.3: Nuwan Thushara to Karim Janat, Touch slower, full and on middle, Karim Janat works it just wide of mid on for a single.

2.2: Nuwan Thushara to Karim Janat, Back of a length and on off, Karim Janat punches it to straight to extra covers.

Another low score for Gurbaz as he departs for 14(8). A promotion for Karim Janat as he walks out to replace Rahmanullah Gurbaz. 

2.1: Nuwan Thushara to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Nuwan Thushara gets a massive wicket for Sri Lanka! He goes fuller and around middle, angles it away too. Rahmanullah Gurbaz dances down the track and swings for the hills across the line. He is nowhere near the ball and only gets a thick outside edge behind. Kusal Perera at fly slip times his leap to perfection to his left and plucks it with both hands. A fine catch, but Gurbaz will be disappointed with that shot. He goes back for 14 off 8, and Afghanistan are 26/1!

1.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, MORE RUNS! Pitched up and on middle, shaping in, Rahmanullah Gurbaz clips it away towards the vacant deep mid-wicket region and calls for two. The deep fielder runs to his left to collect it, but the batters push and get the third as well. Good running! 18 runs off Chameera's first over!

1.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! Afghanistan are off to a quick start! Dushmantha Chameera errs in line again and serves this full, on the pads. Rahmanullah Gurbaz this time picks it up and flicks it away to the deep backward square leg fence for four more runs. 15 runs already with one ball to go in the over!

1.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Sediqullah Atal, On a length and on off, Sediqullah Atal pats it in front of short covers and scampers across for a single.

1.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR! Excellent shot! Dushmantha Chameera hits the length hard and around off, just a little bit of width given. Sediqullah Atal opens the face of his bat, uses the pace and drives it square past the cover-point fielder for a boundary.

1.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Sediqullah Atal, SIX! Picked up and how! Goes fuller but strays into the pads this time, Sediqullah Atal picks it up, uses his wrists and whips it effortlessly over the deep square leg fence for the first biggie of the clash.

1.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Sediqullah Atal, Right on the money! Dushmantha Chameera begins with a good-length delivery, on middle and off, Sediqullah Atal gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Dushmantha Chameera bowl from the other end.

0.6: Nuwan Thushara to Sediqullah Atal, Lovely bowling! Nuwan Thushara nails the yorker, on off, Sediqullah Atal just about gets his bat down in time. The ball hits the bottom edge and rolls away to the leg side as the batters get one. 8 runs off the first over!

0.5: Nuwan Thushara to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, A slower one now, full and on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets out of his crease again and knocks it towards mid on for a single.

0.4: Nuwan Thushara to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! Up and over! Nuwan Thushara goes fuller again, on off, swings away, Rahmanullah Gurbaz skips down the track to counter the movement. He gets to the pitch of the ball and carves it over extra covers for the first boundary of the match.

0.3: Nuwan Thushara to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Afghanistan are underway, but in streaky fashion! Pitched up and around off, shaping away again, Gurbaz looks to loft it over the in-field but mistimes it in the air. Charith Asalanka from extra covers runs backwards but the ball falls well over him. Two taken.

0.2: Nuwan Thushara to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Bowls a low full toss, on off, swing away in the air, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes it to short covers.

0.1: Nuwan Thushara to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hint of swing! Nuwan Thushara starts with a fuller delivery, on middle, shapes away a touch, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet and drills it out towards covers.

The Afghan innings is about to get underway, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal opening the batting. Nuwan Thushara will bowl the first over for Sri Lanka. Afghanistan will be looking to start strong and set a solid foundation for their chase of a spot in the Super 4s. Let's see how the opening pair performs against the Lankan bowlers.

The match is about to begin, and the players from both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have gathered in the middle for a pre-match ceremony. The match officials are also present as the national anthems of Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are about to be played, marking a moment of respect and patriotism before the intense competition.

Now that Afghanistan is batting first, let's see what scenarios can happen in Group B, and what each team needs to do to qualify. Well, Bangladesh can only wait, watch, and hope that the result goes their way. For Sri Lanka, it is simple - win and qualify. However, they can also qualify with a defeat but will need to avoid losing by more than 70 runs or so, depending on the total (let's say Afghanistan make 150 runs, then Sri Lanka have to score at least 84 runs. For Afghanistan, they have to win - there is no other option for them. Bangladesh's most realistic chance is that the Lankans beat the Afghans and knock them out. Whatever happens, we are surely in for a thrilling night, and keep your calculator by your side - you may need it.

PITCH REPORT BY MIKE HAYSMAN AND RAVI SHASTRI - The pitch report indicates that the surface has a green tinge and more grass than the adjacent pitch, which could assist fast bowlers. Despite the minimal turn, Afghanistan's spinners, known for varying their lengths, can still pose a challenge. While batting might be tough initially, it could become easier as the game progresses. The hot and humid conditions are mitigated by a gentle breeze, which should help the players. Overall, the pitch seems better suited for batting compared to the one in Dubai, with a score of around 170 potentially being a good target.

Charith Asalanka, the captain of Sri Lanka, says they would have batted first as well. Adds that they have got two in-form openers, which is a big advantage, but they would like the middle order to perform as well. Informs that they have made one change as Dunith Wellalage comes in for Maheesh Theekshana.

Rashid Khan, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that they will bat first, believing that setting a target will be crucial on this wicket. With the Super 4s qualification on the line, Khan emphasized the importance of this match and acknowledged that his team struggled with pressure in their previous game. To rectify this, they plan to focus on the basics and keep their approach simple. Given the new surface, Khan noted that while no one has played on this pitch before, Afghanistan's experience playing in Abu Dhabi will be beneficial. He expects a good batting surface and estimates that a score of around 170 or above 165 would be par. Rashid also announced two changes to the team - Darwish Rasooli and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will replace Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and Gulbadin Naib.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Dunith Wellalage (In place of Maheesh Theekshana).

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli (In place of Gulbadin Naib), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (In place of AM Ghazanfar).

TOSS - The coin lands in favour of Rashid Khan in this must-win clash, and Afghanistan have elected to BAT first.