Asia Cup 2025: Match 11, Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Match Preview

Published - 17 Sept 2025, 16:43 IST | Updated - 17 Sept 2025, 16:43 IST

Sri Lanka will take on Afghanistan in Match 11 of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, September 18. This is a must-win encounter for the Afghans to progress through to the Super Four stage.

The Lankans have won both their group-stage clashes so far, with victories coming while chasing. Kamil Mishara was awarded the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten 32-ball 46 against Bangladesh. The match against Hong Kong could have gone in the favour of the associate nation had it not been for Pathum Nissanka's 68 (44).

Coming to Afghanistan, they won their opening encounter against Hong Kong by a comprehensive 94-run margin after restricting them to 94/9 at the end of their 20 overs. In their second encounter, Afghanistan were trumped by a stellar bowling display from Bangladesh as they won a hard-fought game by eight runs. Bangladesh have played all three matches, and their fate of getting out of the group will be dependent on Sri Lanka.

Batting has not been the easiest at Abu Dhabu in the five Asia Cup 2025 so far. The spinners are expected to get help from the deck. Any score above 160 can be considered competitive.

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi