Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 11th Match, Group B - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

That's it from group B. Afghanistan would be going home. Some even had called them soft favorites so be it in a hushed tone. But they had raised the bar in the last couple of years in this format. They would be gutted with this early exit. Sri Lanka seemed to be ticking most boxes. Barring that one final over with the ball, they looked pretty clinical. India and Oman play the last league game before we move to the Super Fours. That would be a different beast kickstarting this weekend. So, bye bye for now. We will be back with more cricketing action.

This is the second-highest successful run-chase in T20Is at this venue, after South Africa had gunned down 172 against Ireland last year.

Kusal Mendis’ 74*
>> Highest individual score in a successful T20 Asia Cup chase, bettering Mohammad Rizwan’s 71 vs India (Dubai, 2022)
>> Second-highest individual score for SL in T20 Asia Cup after 75* by Tillakaratne Dilshan vs Pakistan (Mirpur, 2016)
>> He scored 51 runs on the leg-side and 23 towards off.

SL batters playing the sweep shots vs spin
Runs: 40
Shots attempted: 20
Five fours and a six

Noor Ahmad conceded nine runs via wides today, the most for any bowler in an innings in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup.

Sri Lanka scored 113 off 82 against spin (excluding extras) today, the most they have scored in a Men’s T20I innings.
It’s the second-most for any team in a Men’s T20 Asia Cup innings, after Hong Kong’s 116 vs Oman in Fatullah in 2016.

Charith Asalanka: I am really pleased with the performance. Almost a perfect game for us. Pacers did the job. Only the last over went wrong for us. Thushara is a phenomenal guy. He bowls two or three overs in the powerplay and does the role for the country. Perera was outstanding with the catches. We want to be the best fielding side in T20s. You need to catch everything in the shorter format. Our supporters support us more in foreign countries.

Rashid Khan: The way we finished it was so special. To hit 5 sixes was unbelievable. We bowled not as good as we should have. It was pretty hard on that track. It wasn't the typical Abu Dhabi wicket. It was possible to chase 170-180. We had a great chance to chase 150 odd in the last game. But that's the nature of T20 cricket. We had great preparation for this. We had worked hard and trained hard. We made it to the semis of the T20 WC. We at least thought of making it to the next round here.

Kusal Mendis, Player of the Match: I am very happy. I got good support. I enjoyed it. The spinners were bowling a little faster compared to the other teams. Kamindu batted well. Made it easier for me. We will have three good games in the Super Four. I hope we will do well.

22:16 Local Time, 18:16 GMT, 23:46 IST: A very well calculated chase where the team with the greater experience and better cricketing smarts have outwitted a spirited challenger. Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka early, and Kamil Mishara was out cheaply as well. However, it was Kusal Mendis who took the mantle on himself as he anchored and carried the bat for his side in a tricky chase. Kusal Perera, Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis played handy cameos, as they attacked the Afghan bowlers, allowing Kusal Mendis to build an innings around them. The Lankan opener top scored with 74, seeing his side through. Afghanistan had their chances, but they lacked some discipline with the ball and the fielding was a bit wayward and that has come to cost them dearly. That's the end of the journey for them now. Stick around for the presentations now.

Afghanistan have been warned twice for taking more than 60 seconds between overs. The third warning would be a five-run penalty