DHAKA, Sept 18, 2025 (BSS) - Mohammad Nabi struck a marauding 22 ball-60, including 32 runs in the last over as Afghanistan recovered from early collapse to post 169-8 against Sri Lanka in a crucial Asia Cup game at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi today.

Bangladesh are keeping an eye on this match from Dubai as they are still in contention for a Super 4 berth.

A Sri Lanka victory will take both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh into the Super 4 without any equation but an Afghan victory will bring the net run rate issue to the fore for both of them.

Sri Lanka, however, are much ahead of Bangladesh as far as the run rate is concerned. They in fact need to taste a heavy defeat to help Bangladesh through to the Super 4.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan were tied by Sri Lanka bowlers with Thushara being the standout. He returned figures of 4-18 and three in the first powerplay, leaving Afghanistan at precarious 45-3.

The likes of Dushmanth Chameera, Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalaga, all bowled well in the middle overs, keeping Afghanistan at troubling 79-6 in 13th overs.

Mohammad Nabi joined captain Rashid Khan and the turning point came when Wellalage dropped Nabi off Chameera's bowling.

Nabi initially played second fiddle to Rashid who made 23 before Thusara came back in his second spell to rattle his stump.

Nabi then got into act, making Sri Lanka pay heavily for the let down as he smashed all Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts, ransacking 32 off the 20th and 49 off in the last two. 

He hit Wellalaga five sixes in five legal deliveries to stand on the brink of history of slamming six sixes in an over. However he failed to connect properly in the last ball and was run out, trying for second runs.

But his audacious knock, that laced with three fours and six sixes, gave Afghanistan a total that looked daunting on sluggish pitch and also kept Bangladesh finger crossed.