**Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Qualify for Super 4; Group B Sees Exciting Performances**
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have secured their places in the Super 4 stage of the tournament, with Sri Lanka winning all three of their matches to top Group B. Bangladesh, who were eagerly awaiting this result, join Sri Lanka at the expense of Afghanistan, who have been eliminated. Earlier, Hong Kong was also ousted from the competition.
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### Afghanistan’s Thrilling Final Over Powered by Nabi
Afghanistan’s innings saw wickets tumbling at regular intervals, reducing them to a precarious 114/7 in the 17th over following Rashid Khan’s dismissal for 24 runs. However, a spectacular final over from Mohammad Nabi turned the tide, as he blasted Dunith Wellalage for five sixes, scoring a massive 32 runs—including a no-ball and a single on the last delivery.
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### Nabi Equals Afghanistan’s Fastest T20I Fifty Record
Nabi completed his half-century in just 20 balls, matching Azmatullah Omarzai’s record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Afghanistan batter. He was eventually run out for 60 off 22 balls, which included three fours and six sixes. Nabi’s quickfire 55-run partnership with Noor Ahmad for the eighth wicket also added lively momentum, with Noor scoring 48 off just 14 balls.
**Fastest T20I fifties for Afghanistan (by balls faced):**
– 20 balls – Azmatullah Omarzai vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, 2025
– 20 balls – Mohammad Nabi vs Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi, 2025
– 21 balls – Mohammad Nabi vs Ireland, Greater Noida, 2017
– 21 balls – Gulbadin Naib vs India, Bengaluru, 2024
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### Nabi Achieves Another Milestone
According to Cricbuzz, Mohammad Nabi is just the third player from a Full Member nation to score a 50-plus in Men’s T20 Internationals after turning 40 years old. The list includes:
– Chris Gayle (41 years 294 days): 67 vs Australia, Gros Islet, 2021
– Mohammad Nabi (40 years 260 days): 60 vs Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi, 2025
– Mohammad Hafeez (40 years 64 days): 99* vs New Zealand, Hamilton, 2020
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### Nabi’s Career Highlights and Records
Playing his 139th T20I match, Nabi has amassed 2,357 runs from 130 innings at an average of 22.44, with this innings marking his seventh T20I fifty and first against Sri Lanka. He has hit 117 sixes according to ESPNcricinfo. In overall T20 cricket, Nabi has crossed 6,500 runs, totaling 6,516 runs at an average of 21.08 with 18 fifties.
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### Thushara Nuwan Claims Third Four-Wicket Haul in T20Is
Sri Lankan pacer Thushara Nuwan impressed with figures of 4/18, bringing his wicket tally to 35 from 25 T20Is at an average of 18.28. This marked his third four-wicket haul in T20Is and he also has one five-wicket haul to his name.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Thushara has now taken 169 wickets in 127 T20 matches at an average of 19.71, including five four-wicket hauls and two fifers.
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### Notable Bowling Feats by Thushara
– This is Thushara’s second four-wicket haul against Afghanistan; he has 8 wickets at 10.37 in three T20Is versus them.
– He is the second Sri Lankan pacer to take a four-wicket haul in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup, following Pramod Madushan’s feat against Pakistan in 2022.
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### Sri Lanka Ace the Chase with a Brilliant Mendis Performance
Kusal Mendis starred with the bat for Sri Lanka, remaining unbeaten on 74 runs from 52 balls, hitting 10 fours. After early wickets fell (Pathum Nissanka for 22 and Kamil Mishara for 47/2), Mendis steadied the innings. He shared a 45-run partnership with Kusal Perera for the third wicket and a further 27 runs with Charith Asalanka.
Kamindu Mendis contributed an unbeaten 26, ending with a 52* run partnership alongside Mendis.
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### Mendis Surpasses 5,000 Runs in T20 Cricket
With his stellar innings, Kusal Mendis passed the milestone of 5,000 runs in men’s T20 cricket, becoming the fifth Sri Lankan to achieve this feat. He joins an elite group including Kumar Sangakkara (6,937 runs), Mahela Jayawardene (5,479 runs), Tillakaratne Dilshan (5,193 runs), and Dinesh Chandimal (5,131 runs).
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### Mendis’ Career Batting Stats
Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74* has taken his career T20 runs to 5,067 at an average of 30.16, including 35 fifties and 2 centuries. In T20 Internationals specifically, he has scored 2,164 runs for Sri Lanka in 90 innings at 26.07, hitting 17 fifties.
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### Mohammad Nabi Shines with the Ball
Aside from his batting heroics, Nabi was also Afghanistan’s pick of the bowlers, delivering 3 overs for 1/20. The seasoned campaigner has now picked up 102 wickets in T20 Internationals at an average of 27.86 from 139 matches and 128 innings.
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**In summary, the Super 4 stage will feature some of the tournament’s best talents, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh advancing from Group B. Standout performances from players like Mohammad Nabi and Kusal Mendis have set the tone for an exciting remainder of the tournament.**
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/sri-lanka-vs-afghanistan-asia-cup-t20-report-and-stats/story
