Asia Cup 2025 : Kusal Perera grabs a screamer to remove Rahmanullah Gurbaz in SL vs AFG game

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Sri Lanka and Afghanistan locked horns in the 11th Match of Group B in Abu Dhabi on September 18, 2025, with the Men’s T20 Asia Cup Super-four spot on the line. Afghanistan, having won the toss, elected to bat under lights at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. The early exchanges saw the Afghan top order looking to capitalize on field restrictions, but Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding quickly put the visitors under pressure. By the end of the powerplay, Afghanistan were 45 for 3 in 6 overs, a modest return considering the firepower in their lineup.

The defining moment of the early evening arrived in the third over when Sri Lanka’s spearhead, Nuwan Thushara, deceived Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a well-disguised slower ball on a length around off stump. Gurbaz, intent on taking the aerial route, charged down the wicket and unleashed a wild swipe across the line. The technique faltered as he skewed the ball off the outside edge, sending it racing in the air towards short third.

Kusal Perera, stationed just inside the circle, showcased his trademark athleticism by sprinting across ground, diving forward and plucking the ball inches above the turf to complete a spectacular caught-and-bowled off another fielder’s delivery. Perera’s lightning reflexes left spectators in awe and punctuated Sri Lanka’s fielding prowess. As Perera rose with the ball in hand, his teammates erupted in celebration while Thushara offered a wry smile, having combined both cunning bowling and stellar fielding to snag Afghanistan’s attacking opener for 14 off eight balls at a strike rate of 175.00.

Nuwan Thushara sends the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz back to the pavilion ☝️

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Afghanistan’s innings never recovered from the early blows. After the powerplay, the scoreboard read 45 for 3 at a run rate of 7.50, a modest platform in T20 terms. Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli attempted to steady the ship with scores of 4 and 2 respectively, but neither could build a meaningful partnership. Misjudged strokes and tentative footwork under the lights compounded their woes as Sri Lanka’s bowlers attacked the stumps relentlessly.

The Afghan lineup, missing the fluency of experienced campaigners Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan yet to bat, struggled to find rhythm against disciplined bowling. Extras contributed only six runs, highlighting the minimal gifting of runs. With only 20 overs allotted and a mounting run rate required to reach the projected score of 153, the Afghan side faces a steep uphill battle.

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