On September 18, 2025, the cricket match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan occurred and has made over a thousand headlines on all platforms. The SL vs AFG Highlights can be read about in this article.
The elimination of the Afghanistan Team came as a shock to the audience and to the players themselves. Check out the players and match details in this highlight to find out exactly what happened.
The Afghanistan team got a head start on their runs with the help of the toss and managed to score a heavy 169 runs out of 8 wickets. Unfortunately, though, the Sri Lanka batsmen dominated the field with their bat swings and ended up with a higher and better score of 171 runs out of 4 wickets.
If you want to read more about the previous matches played by Sri Lanka, consider this highlight:
Hong Kong vs Sri Lanka Highlights Asia Cup 2025
In the end, the Sri Lanka Team won by 6 wickets, and the audience cheered for their victory, while the Afghanistan Team had a disappointing moment, as this was a must-win match to continue in the Asia Cup 2025.
Team | Score |
Sri Lanka | 171/4 (18.4) |
Afghanistan | 169/8 (20.0) |
Toss | Afghanistan won and chose to bat |
With the overview out of the way, let us focus on the prominent factors of the game. We’ll discuss the team players and their roles, the player of the match, the team innings, and the performance presented on the field.
Sri Lanka Team, total players – 17
All-rounder – 7
Batsmen – 5
Bowlers – 5
Afghanistan Team, total players – 16
All-rounder – 5
Batsmen – 5
Bowlers – 6
Players in the Sri Lanka Team
Players | Role |
Charith Asalanka (Captain) | Batting All-rounder |
All-rounders | |
Kamindu Mendis | Batting All-rounder |
Dasun Shanaka | Batting All-rounder |
Janith Liyanage | Batting All-rounder |
Wanindu Hasaranga | Bowling All-rounder |
Dunith Wellalage | Bowling All-rounder |
Chamika Karunaratne | Bowling All-rounder |
Batsmen | |
Kusal Mendis | Wicketkeeper Batsman |
Kamil Mishara | Wicketkeeper Batsman |
Kusal Perera | Wicketkeeper Batsman |
Pathum Nissanka | Batsman |
Nuwanidu Fernando | Batsman |
Bowlers | |
Matheesha Pathirana | Bowler |
Dushmantha Chameera | Bowler |
Maheesh Theekshana | Bowler |
Binura Fernando | Bowler |
Nuwan Thushara | Bowler |
Support Staff of the Sri Lanka Team
Name | Role |
Sanath Jayasuriya | Head Coach |
Thilina Kandamby | Batting Coach |
Craig Howard | Spin Bowling Coach |
Aaqib Javed | Fast Bowling Coach |
Upul Chandana | Fielding Coach |
Jonathan Porter | Physiologist |
Mahinda Halangoda | Team Manager |
Players in the Afghanistan Team
Players | Role |
Rashid Khan (Captain) | Bowling All-rounder |
All-rounders | |
Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder |
Sharafuddin Ashraf | All-rounder |
Gulbadin Naib | Batting All-rounder |
Karim Janat | Batting All-rounder |
Batsmen | |
Darwish Rasooli | Top-order Batsman |
Ibrahim Zadran | Opening Batsman |
Sediqullah Atal | Opening Batsman |
Mohammad Ishaq | Wicketkeeper Batsman |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Wicketkeeper Batsman |
Bowlers | |
Fareed Ahmad | Bowler |
Naveen-ul-Haq | Bowler |
Fazalhaq Farooqi | Bowler |
Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Bowler |
Noor Ahmad | Bowler |
AM Ghazanfar | Bowler |
Support Staff of the Afghanistan Team
Name | Role |
Jonathan Trott | Head Coach |
Nawroz Mangal | Assistant Coach |
Andrew Puttick | Batting Coach |
Hamid Hassan | Bowling Coach |
Shane McDermott | Fielding Coach |
Dwayne Bravo | Spin Consultant |
Player of the Match
Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka Cricketer)
The Sri Lanka batsman stole the show at the Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan match with his score of 74 runs out of 52 balls, making a name for himself in the Asia Cup 2025.
Kusal Mendis has been in the cricket field since 2015, excelling in his skills as a wicketkeeper-batsman. His journey in the sports world has had many ups and downs, and in this match, he proved his skills as a cricketer to the world.
Name | Balapuwaduge Kusal Gimhan Mendis |
Date of Birth | 2 February 1995 |
Kusal Mendis Age | 30 |
National Side | Sri Lanka (2015-present) |
Role | Wicketkeeper batsman |
Batting Style | Right-handed |
Bowling Style | Right-arm leg-break |
Last T20I | 18 September 2025 v Afghanistan |
Last Score | 74 runs out of 52 balls |
Current Team |
SL vs AFG Highlights
Sri Lanka Team Innings
Sri Lanka Players | Score | Opposite Team Players | Score |
Kusal Mendis | 72 (52) | Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 1/42 (3.4) |
Kusal Perera | 28 (20) | Azmatullah Omarzai | 1/10 (2.0) |
Afghanistan Team Innings
Afghanistan Players | Score | Opposite Team Players | Score |
Mohammad Nabi | 60 (22) | Nuwan Thushara | 4/18 (4.0) |
Rashid Khan (C) | 24 (23) | Dushmantha Chameera | 1/50 (4.0) |
Performance in the Match
The Afghanistan Team had the lead with the toss, and the batsmen did a splendid job of making runs and getting the overall score to 169 out of 8 wickets. Mohammad Nabi (60 runs out of 22 balls) and Rashid Khan (24 runs out of 23 balls) carried the match on their backs for the Afghanistan Team.
However, their luck ran out when the Sri Lanka Team got hold of the bat and shook the stadium with their harsh batting swings. Kusal Mendis became the star of the game with his score of 72 runs out of 52 runs, putting even the best score of the Afghanistan batsman, Mohammad Nabi, into the dust.
Honourable mention: Kusal Perera added a good 28 runs out of 20 balls to the overall scores, and Nuwan Thushara, with his 4/18 balls, helped the Sri Lanka team win. In the end, the Afghanistan team faced a devastating defeat.
Team | Score |
Sri Lanka | 171/4 (18.4) |
Afghanistan | 169/8 (20.0) |
Summary | Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets |
Match No. | 11 |
Location | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
Conclusion
This match proved to be an excellent success for the Sri Lanka Team, allowing them to move forward in the Asia Cup 2025 for the final rounds against Pakistan (23 September, Match 15) and India (26 September, Match 18).
Stay tuned for the updates about the next matches on Cricket Dekha. Check out this blog in the meantime – IND vs PAK Highlights Asia Cup 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
SL vs AFG Highlights 2025
Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets.
SL vs AFG live score 2025.
Sri Lanka: 171/4, Afghanistan: 169/8.
The date on which the SL vs AFG Asia Cup 2025 took place.
Thursday, 18 September 2025.
The location of the SL vs AFG Asia Cup 2025
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Captain of the Sri Lanka team in the Asia Cup 2025?
Charith Asalanka, Batting All-rounder.
Captain of the Afghan team in the Asia Cup 2025?
Rashid Khan, Bowling All-rounder.
Livestream of the SL vs AFG Asia Cup 2025.
Refer to the updates on www.cricketdekha.com.
Who was awarded the Player of the Match in the SL vs AFG Asia Cup 2025?
Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka Cricketer.
Who was the toss winner of the SL vs AFG 2025 match?
Afghanistan won and chose to bat.
