Mendis, Thushara help Lanka win by 6 wickets, knock Afghanistan out

Nuwan Thushara picked 4-18 while wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis produced a composed unbeaten 74 off 52 balls to guide Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in their final Group B fixture of the Asia Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

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The result confirmed Sri Lanka and Bangladesh's progression to the Super Fours, while Afghanistan, last year's T20 World Cup semifinalists, were knocked out of the tournament. Chasing 170 on a surface offering grip and bounce, Sri Lanka made a tricky target look routine, thanks largely to Kusal's assured knock laced with ten boundaries.

Sri Lanka's innings began with a flourish but soon went into troubled waters. Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for six, after pulling Azmatullah Omarzai straight to short fine leg. Kamil Mishara followed soon after, chipping Mohammad Nabi to extra cover. At 52/2 after the powerplay, the game was finely balanced.

Kusal, however, ensured stability. He reached his fifty off 40 balls with a sweep, equalling Nissanka's tally of 17 T20I half-centuries. His ability to rotate strike and pick gaps kept Sri Lanka ahead of the required rate, even as wickets fell at the other end.