If Afghanistan win, they will move along with Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lanka need to ensure that they don’t lose by a massive margin where their NRR goes down to that of Bangladesh.
The Asia Cup 2025 match number 11 sees Sri Lanka and Afghanistan face each other in a Group B contest at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. This is Sri Lanka and Afghanistan’s final Group B match of the tournament. Sri Lanka beat both Bangladesh and Hong Kong to post two wins from two. The Afghans, who downed Hong Kong in their first clash, lost to Bangladesh next.
This is a massive game for all three teams – Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Lankans will go through to Super 4 with a win. If this happens, Bangladesh will join them at Afghanistan’s expense. On the other hand, if Afghanistan win, they will move along with Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lanka need to ensure that they don’t lose by a massive margin where their NRR goes down to that of Bangladesh.
Afghanistan last played against Hong Kong on September 9 in the tournament opener and returned after a break. Thereafter, Rashid Khan’s side had the chance of sealing Super 4 qualification. A defeat meant that Afghanistan will now need to beat Sri Lanka in their final Group B clash.
In terms of the H2H record, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have met 8 times in the 20-over format. Sri Lanka own 5 wins to that of Afghanistan’s 3.
Notably, the Sri Lankan side has played 7 T20Is here in Abu Dhabi and have lost thrice and won four times. The Afghans have featured in 18 matches here, winning 12 and losing 6 times.
The Asia Cup match between Sri Lanka and AFG will start at 8pm IST on September 18 in Abu Dhabi.
Pathum nissanka: The classy all-format batter has been impressive of late and did well in the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe. He has smashed successive fifties in the Asia Cup 2025.
Somewhere in the mend: The veteran batter was out for three runs versus Bangladesh and then suffered another failure versus Hong Kong. He is closing in on 5000 runs in T20s.
Kusal Perera: He is Sri Lanka’s top scorer in T20Is and has plenty of pedigree. However, he failed to finish off the game against Bangladesh and was dismissed on the cheap. Versus HKG, he managed 20.
Kamil Mashashasha: He won the MoM award against Bangladesh for his unbeaten 46. He followed it up with an 18-ball 19 versus Hong Kong.
Charith Asalanka (C): The skipper is a massive figure in the Lankan set-up and leads from the front. He will once again hope to stamp his authority.
Kamindo Mendis: At number six, the player lends his voice. He can bowl part-time spin as well. He owns 448 runs from 25 T20I innings.
Dasun shanaka: The senior figure is a key all-rounder of this side. He has scored over 1500 runs and has picked 35 scalps. However, he is yet to make a massive impact in this tournament.
Nights not Having returned from injury, Hasaranga was solid against Bangladesh and picked two wickets. He managed 1/27 versus Hong Kong next.
Maheesh theekshana: The spinner is set to keep his place in the XI. He will hope to support Hasaranga and aim to choke Hong Kong. With 63 wickets from 66 matches, Theekshana is a fine bet.
Dushmantha chameera: He bowled well in the Zimbabwe T20Is. He clocked 8 wickets from three matches. And then in the match versus Bangladesh, he delivered the goods before doing well versus HKG too.
Nuanucha thushara: He was excellent against Bangladesh and clocked 1/17 from his 4 overs which included a maiden. Thushara then managed 0/36 against HKG.
Player to watch out for (Pathum Nissanka): With successive fifties, Nissanka will be crucial for the Lankans with his contributions upfront. He can set the stage for the others to come and contribute.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK): The classy batter had an ordinary tri-series against Pakistan and UAE. And then against Hong Kong, he scored just 8 runs. However, he managed 35 runs versus BAN next.
SEDIQULLAH Atal: He packed a punch against Hong Kong, bashing a fierce half-century. A first-ball duck against BAN saw him suffer.
Ibrahim Zadran: At number three, he is a valuable asset to the team. Versus Hong Kong, he faltered with just one run. And then he managed 5 runs against Bangladesh.
Mohammad Prophet: He was superb at number 4 against Hong Kong, scoring 33 runs from 26 balls. He managed 15 runs next vs BAN.
Azmatullah Omarzai: The all-rounder hammered a fine 21-ball 53 versus Hong Kong, showing his big-hitting skills. He then hit 30 runs from 16 balls versus BAN. He has picked two wickets so far.
Karim janat: He had an off day against Hong Kong, failing with both bat and ball. And then versus Bangladesh, he faltered with the bat and didn’t bowl.
Gulbadin Naib: The pace-bowling all-rounder did well with the ball against Hong Kong. However, he scored a paltry 5-run knock. He failed against Bangladesh next, scoring a 14-ball 16.
Rashid khan: He will be instrumental with the ball. He took 1/24 against Hong Kong before taking two wickets against Bangladesh.
Allah Ghazanfar: The spinner clocked 0/4 from 2 overs against Hong Kong. He was poor against Bangladesh next, conceding 0/32 from three overs.
Noor Ahmad: He has been a supreme force and Afghanistan will want to maximise their presence with his potential. He picked 2/23 versus Bangladesh. In 2025, he has 71 T20 wickets.
Fazalhaq farooqi: Pacer Farooqi was solid against Hong Kong, taking 2/16 from 3 overs before faltering against Bangladesh next.
Player to watch out for (Rashid Khan): He is the top wicket-taker in the 20-over format both overall and in internationals. His bowling will be massive. Versus SL, he has 4 scalps at 27-plus.
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch in Abu Dhabi is generally a balanced surface that initially favours batsmen with good pace and bounce. However, as the game progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners into prominence. Run-scoring isn’t that easy so batters should abide by the situation in hand.
Afghanistan will want to make things work in their favour. They have a decent bowling unit and the spin show is their trump card. SL will also believe they can outmuscle Rashid Khan’s men.
Who are the key players in the SL vs AFG clash?
Pathum Nissanka is a key player for SL. He holds the responsibility with the bat and owns two fifties in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. For AFG, Rashid Khan is an experienced spinner and needs to carry the side.
