The Asia Cup 2025 group stage has boiled down to a tense finale, with Sri Lanka and Afghanistan set to lock horns in a winner-takes-all clash on Thursday, September 18, in the UAE. The stakes are high not just for the two sides in action, but also for Bangladesh, who have finished their group assignments and now wait anxiously for a result that could determine their fate.
Sri Lanka enter the contest as favourites, having won both their opening matches to sit atop Group B with four points and a commanding net run rate (NRR) of +1.546. A win would confirm their progression to the Super 4 stage, while even a narrow defeat may still keep them afloat provided they avoid a heavy margin of loss.
Skipper Kusal Mendis has marshalled his troops well, with Pathum Nissanka’s consistency at the top and Wanindu Hasaranga’s all-round brilliance providing the champions with momentum.
Afghanistan, however, remain very much in the hunt. With two points from as many games and the group’s best NRR of +2.150, Rashid Khan’s men know qualification is within their reach. But the equation is tight—only a comprehensive victory will ensure their passage.
Their batting has shown flashes of power through Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, but inconsistency has hurt them. The bowling attack, spearheaded by Rashid and left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi, has the tools to trouble Sri Lanka on the UAE’s spin-friendly tracks.
For Bangladesh, the situation is agonising. Their spirited win against Afghanistan earlier this week took them to four points, but a negative NRR of –0.270 leaves them vulnerable. Their only hope is a Sri Lankan victory, which would see both sides advance. An Afghanistan win, however, would trigger a three-way tie at four points each, almost certainly eliminating Bangladesh due to their inferior NRR.
Qualification Scenarios in Group B
Bangladesh: Qualify if Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Qualify on net run rate if they beat Sri Lanka by any margin.
Sri Lanka: Qualify with a win; remain safe unless they lose by 70+ runs or Afghanistan chase with 50 or more balls to spare.
With everything on the line, Thursday’s clash promises high drama as three nations pin their hopes on one decisive result.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan: Pitch Report
The pitch in Abu Dhabi has been a decent one for the batters, with spinners and pacers likely to get help in equal proportion. In crunch match, teams should bat first, put runs on the board and put the opposition under pressure.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan: Match Details
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will play at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The match will start at 8 pm IST.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan: Livestreaming
The tournament will be livestreamed on the SonyLiv app. The matches will also be broadcast on Sony Sports Network.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan: Probable Playing XIs
Sri Lanka Probable Playing XI
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
Afghanistan Probable Playing XI
Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi
