Afghanistan veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi did an exceptional job with the bat for Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2025 match against Sri Lanka. Batting first, the Afghan team struggled against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling. Their mainstay batters Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Karim Janat, Ibrahim Zadran, and Darwish Rasool struggled to accumulate runs. With Afghanistanreeling at a score of 71/5 in 11.3 overs, veteran Nabi joined Ibrahim Zadran in the middle. However, Zadran departed after scoring only 24 off 27 but Nabi stood at the crease and took the team ahead with his stable batting.
In the final over, when Dunith Wellalage came to bowl, Nabi displayed his ferocious side and took the left-arm spinner to the cleaners. He hammered
five maximums against the 22-year-old and helped his team reach 169/8 in 20 overs. After getting hit for three sixes, Wellalage looked nervous and bowled a no-ball. Taking advantage of a free hit, Nabi smashed him for another maximum. On the fifth ball of the over, the 40-year-old clobbered one more six.
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Azmatullah Omarzai delivers early breakthrough to Afghanistan
Defending the 169-run total, Afghanistan have got the major breakthrough as Azmatullah Omarzai got rid of dangerous Pathum Nissanka in the third over of the innings. The opener lost his wicket after scoring only six runs off five balls.
The speedster got Nissanka caught at the hands of Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, who was deployed towards the down leg side. This contest is a must win for Afghanistan to make it through to the Super 4 round of the Asia Cup 2025.
