Mendis, Thushara power Sri Lanka into Super 4s

Sri Lanka marched into the Super 4s with a 6 wicket win over Afghanistan in the final clash of Group B. In the process, they also confirmed Bangladesh's progression and Afghanistan's elimination. Mohammad Nabi's heroic 22-ball 60, which pushed Afghanistan up to a competitive 169/8 from a position of almost certain doom, wasn't quite enough to earn his side a victory and qualification.

Where was the game won?

In the PowerPlay. While Afghanistan were left reeling and dazed after losing three big wickets in the first six overs, the Sri Lankans were able to build a foundation for their chase despite losing a couple of wickets themselves. Kusal Mendis, who got off to a strong start, remained a steady presence throughout Sri Lanka's chase.

AFGHANISTAN

PowerPlay:Afghanistan stumble early

Phase Score: 45/3 [RR - 7.50, 4s/6s - 4/1]

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a flying start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz made his aggressive intentions clear from the very outset - charging Nuwan Tushara multiple times in the first over and striking a boundary over extra cover. His partner, Sediquallah Atal, was quick to join in with a six and a four in the second over that went for 18 runs. But Afghanistan were dealt a severe setback by Thushara in the third over, one that they didn't quite recover from for the rest of the game. The Sri Lankan first got rid of Gurbaz, who was out caught brilliantly by Kusal Perera at short third, before castling Karim Janat, who was promoted to number three to try and maximise the PowerPlay, with a beautiful outswinger that curved past the bat. He then returned to bowl Atal as well in the fifth over with a hooping inswinger to dent Afghanistan further inside the PowerPlay.

Middle overs:Sri Lanka continue to dominate

Phase Score: 56/3 [RR - 6.22, 4s/6s - 3/2]

While the Sri Lankans utilised the swing on offer well, the highlight through the middle was their continued brilliance in the field. Progress was slow for Afghanistan as they attempted to rebuild with a 24-run stand between Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli, who was brought into the side, consuming 34 deliveries. That stand was brought to an end when Perera snaffled another terrific catch - this time hopscotching on the third man fence - to dismiss Rasooli. Sri Lanka continued to create chances. Azmatullah Omarzai was dropped by the keeper the very next ball but he was out dragging one back on to his stumps in the next over. Ibrahim Zadran was the next casualty - once more to a stunning diving grab by Dushmantha Chameera on the long-on boundary. With his side in peril at 79/6, skipper Rashid Khan was able to infuse a bit of momentum with a couple of boundaries and a six, struck in signature fashion, before the death overs.

Death overs:Nabi leads stupendous comeback

Phase Score: 68/2 [RR - 13.60, 4s/6s - 3/6]

The final phase saw an extraordinary revival for Afghanistan courtesy of a stunning 22-ball 60 from Mohammad Nabi. For all of their brilliant catching earlier in the day, Sri Lanka, as it turned out, dropped the most crucial one when Dunith Wellalage put down a simple chance offered by Nabi. While Tushara returned to claim his fourth wicket by bowling Rashid Khan, Sri Lanka were in for horror in the last two overs as Nabi went berserk. The 19th over bowled by Chameera went for 17 runs but Wellalage himself would cop the harshest punishment as Nabi tore into him, smashing five sixes in the final over - lifting Afghanistan from 120/7 to 169/8 before he was run-out off the final ball.

SRI LANKA

PowerPlay:Sri Lanka start steady

Phase Score: 53/2 [RR - 8.83, 4s/6s - 7/0]

Sri Lanka's start mirrored that of Afghanistan with them starting off strong and scoring 22 off the first two overs before suffering a setback. Omarzai provided Afghanistan with their first breakthrough by dismissing Pathum Nissanka, who had scored fifties in his last two games, in the third over. Afghanistan then unsuccessfully reviewed an appeal for caught behind against Kamil Mishara later in the same over. While Kusal Mendis capitalized on Fazalhaq Farooqi's indiscipline at one end, his partner Mishara struggled to get going and was out after chipping Nabi to cover in the sixth over.

Middle overs:Kusal Mendis keeps Sri Lanka on track

Phase Score: 69/2 [RR - 7.66, 4s/6s - 5/0]

After losing two wickets in the PowerPlay, Sri Lanka made steady progress through the middle and managed to stay abreast with the asking rate. A 45-run stand between Kusal Mendis and Perera, which the latter dominated, provided the Sri Lankans with stability. Afghanistan missed an opportunity to dismiss the well set Kusal Mendis when Atal misjudged a catch at deep mid-wicket but they managed to get rid of Perera soon after to break the partnership. A boundary struck by Charith Asalanka took Sri Lanka past 101 and confirmed their qualification to the Super 4s. Kusal Mendis notched up a well compiled fifty just before Asalanka was dismissed by a neat sliding catch from Rashid at deep mid-wicket.

Death overs: Kamindu & Kusal Mendis star inan explosive finish

Phase Score: 49/0 [RR - 13.36, 4s/6s - 4/2]

With the odds tilting in Sri Lanka's favour, Rashid bowled a tight 16th over in which he nearly ran Kusal Mendis out and also nearly suffered a bad injury to his back in the process. The game slipped further out of Afghanistan's grasp when Noor Ahmed conceded 17 runs off the 17th, including three wides and a big six off Kamindu Mendis' bat, and further still when Farooqi's next over went for 15. With just ten runs needed, Kusal Mendis polished it off with consecutive boundaries in the following over to finish unbeaten on 74.

What's next for these teams?

That loss draws the curtains on Afghanistan's Asia Cup. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will face Bangladesh in the first Super 4s clash in Dubai on September 20.