Asia Cup: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to cement Super Four spot

Kusal Mendis guided Sri Lanka's chase

By Champika Fernando in Abu Dhabi

Sri Lanka secured qualification to the Super Four of the Asia Cup with a hard-fought victory over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi last night, but the triumph was steeped in sorrow. The evening, which should have been a celebration of progress, turned into one of deep sadness when news broke that young spinner Dunith Wellalage’s father, Suranga, had passed away during the match. The 22-year-old only learnt of the devastating loss after the final ball was bowled, robbing the team of the chance to fully rejoice in their achievement. He was 54 at the time of his death.
Sri Lanka’s six-wicket win not only confirmed their passage to the second round but also ensured they topped Group B, joining Bangladesh in the next stage. Yet, for Wellalage, who endured a punishing night on the field before being struck by personal tragedy, it was an evening that will haunt him for years to come.
Brought into the side in place of Maheesh Theekshana, Wellalage suffered at the hands of Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi in the death overs. The veteran all-rounder smashed him for five consecutive sixes in the final over of the innings, plundering 32 runs to leave the young left-armer crestfallen. Afghanistan, once floundering at 120 for 7, were catapulted to 169 for 8, a total that seemed improbable given the stranglehold Sri Lanka had established for most of the evening.
The script appeared straightforward at the start. Nuwan Thushara, swinging the new ball menacingly, tore through Afghanistan’s top order with a spell of rare quality. He removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim Janat and Sediqullah Atal inside the Powerplay, leaving the opposition tottering at 45 for 3. Thushara’s control and movement proved irresistible, and he went on to claim figures of 4 for 18, his second four-wicket haul against Afghanistan and the third-best figures of his T20I career.
His efforts were backed by inspired fielding. Kusal Perera, showing glimpses of his old brilliance, pulled off two sensational catches: the first a sharp effort in the deep to remove Gurbaz off Thushara, and the second a diving take to dismiss Darwish Rasooli off Dushmantha Chameera. When Rashid Khan was undone by another clever variation from Thushara in the 18th over, Afghanistan seemed dead and buried at 120 for 7.
Then Nabi rewrote the narrative. Having been dropped on 5 by Wellalage earlier in the innings, the 40-year-old seized the reprieve with brutal intent. He milked the strike cleverly, waited for the inexperienced bowlers, and launched an astonishing assault in the final two overs. The 19th over cost 17 runs, and the 20th was carnage--five sixes that turned a modest total into a competitive one. Nabi walked off unbeaten on 63 from just 27 balls, his late blitz reviving Afghan hopes and casting doubt over Sri Lanka’s decision-making at the death.
Indeed, the choice to entrust the last over to a young spinner instead of an experienced seamer was a baffling tactical misstep. It allowed Nabi to line up a bowler short of rhythm and confidence, and the punishment was severe. Afghanistan collected 99 runs from the eight overs bowled by Chameera and Wellalage, including 49 from the last two overs alone.
Despite the onslaught, Sri Lanka’s equation for qualification remained favourable. Thanks to earlier results, they needed only 101 runs to secure their place in the Super Fours. That target was achieved, though not without moments of tension, as the Afghan bowlers fought valiantly to keep their campaign alive.
Kusal Mendis was the glue in Sri Lanka’s reply, carrying his bat with a composed and unbeaten half-century (74). He anchored the innings with calm authority, finding the gaps and rotating the strike while others batted around him. Kusal Janith Perera, returning to form, chipped in with a valuable 28, combining with Mendis for a 45-run stand that steadied the chase. Kamindu Mendis added useful runs in the middle order, ensuring the asking rate never spiralled out of control. He played well for his unbeaten 26 and shared 52 run fifth wicket partnership off 23 balls.
Although wickets fell intermittently, Sri Lanka’s top order had done enough to keep them ahead of the game. Mendis’s unbeaten knock proved the difference, guiding his side to the target with an over to spare. The scoreboard confirmed victory, but celebrations were muted once the heartbreaking news about Wellalage filtered through.