Afghanistan's star all-rounder Mohammad Nabi lit up the Asia Cup 2025 with his explosive batting in the clash against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on September 18. In a stunning batting display in the final over Nabi cracked five back-to-back sixes to rescue Afghanistan from a precarious position. He began with three consecutive sixes off bowler Dunith Wellalage, who then bowled a no-ball. Nabi followed this up with two more sixes on the next two legal deliveries. On the final ball, he attempted a second run but was run out, having helped his team reach a total of 169/8. Nabi ended up scoring a blistering 22-ball 60.
Mohammad Nabi hammers 5 consecutive sixes off Dunit Wellalage's final over
Nabi plundered 32 runs off that over, which included a single and a no-ball. The costly over, bowled by Dunith Wellalage, became the second-most expensive in Sri Lanka's T20I history. It is only surpassed by Akila Dananjaya's 36-run over against the West Indies in Antigua in 2021.
ALSO READ: R Ashwin to represent Team India yet again, to participate in this tournament in Hong Kong
At one point, Afghanistan was struggling at 79 for 6 and desperately needed a special innings to finish strong. Nabi provided just that, scoring a rapid 60 runs off only 22 balls and completely shifting the momentum of the game. He was well supported by Rashid Khan, who scored 24 runs off 23 balls, helping Afghanistan post a defendable total.
Sri Lanka's pacer Nuwan Thushara was outstanding with the ball, taking crucial early wickets that put Afghanistan under immense pressure. He dismissed Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli, both of whom had struggled in the middle overs. Thushara picked up three wickets during the powerplay and later returned to remove Rashid Khan towards the end of the innings. Despite Sri Lanka's strong bowling performance, the 32 runs conceded in the final over dramatically changed the course of the game.
For Afghanistan, a win is essential to advance to the Super 4 stage. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, must avoid a massive defeat to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
Sri Lanka's Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
Afghanistan's Playing XI: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi