AFG vs SL, Asia Cup 2025: Mohammad Nabi’s 60 from 22 takes Afghanistan to 169/8

Mohammed Nabi’s quick-fire fifty helped Afghanistan register 169/7 in the first innings against Sri Lanka in the final match of Group B in the Asia Cup 2025. Nabi scored 60 from 22 balls as he and Noor Ahmed brought up the highest 8th wicket partnership in T20Is for the Afghan team.

What happened?

Afghanistan’s innings started on shaky ground as Sri Lanka's pace spearhead Nuwan Thushara wreaked havoc early on. Within the powerplay overs, Thushara’s fiery spell resulted in three quick wickets, sending Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim Janat, and Sediqullah Atal back to the pavilion cheaply.

Afghanistan found themselves struggling at 40 for 3 inside five overs, thanks to the accuracy and pace of Thushara, who exploited the conditions perfectly.

Their middle order tried to stabilize with contributions from Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai, but Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling, led by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, kept the pressure on.

The spinners effectively controlled the middle overs, limiting boundary opportunities and picking up crucial wickets. Afghanistan notably went through a boundary drought, failing to score a single boundary for extended periods, which stalled their momentum.

Read Also: Calculations: What do Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan need to qualify for the Super Four of the Asia Cup 2025?

Despite the batting woes, Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan played a crucial innings, anchoring the middle order with a fighting 24 before his dismissal.

In the death overs, it was Mohammad Nabi who shone brightly, striking five sixes in the final over bowled by Dunith Wellalage, propelling Afghanistan’s total to a respectable 169 for 8 in their 20 overs. Nabi got run out in the final ball of the inning after scoring 60 from 22 balls.

Afghanistan’s 169/8 is now the highest first-inning total of the Asia Cup. Afghanistan need to win this match to stay alive in the Asia Cup 2025.