Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi launched a merciless assault on Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage in the Asia Cup 2025 game at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, September 18. Nabi clobbered five sixes off the 20th over of the innings, helping Afghanistan finish strongly and set a stiff target for the opposition.

The moment occurred as Charith Asalanka turned to the left-arm spinner Wellalage, taking a massive gamble against the big-hitting Nabi. The veteran smashed the first three sixes off long-off, mid-wicket, and long-on. Wellalage followed it up with a no-ball, and the 40-year-old cleared the boundary two more times. Nabi tried to go again on the final ball but Sri Lanka managed to run him out.

Nabi’s explosive 60 off 22 deliveries, laced with six sixes, ensured that Sri Lanka reached a competitive total of 169/8 despite being 79/6 at one stage. Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara bowled outstandingly with the new ball, finishing with figures of 4-0-18-4. Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, and Dasun Shanaka claimed one wicket each.

Earlier in the match, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bat first, as both sides chased a crucial win in the last match of Group B.

**Sri Lanka Playing XI:**
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara.

**Afghanistan Playing XI:**
Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

In other tournament news, India and Pakistan have sealed their spots into the Super 4 round from Group A, each with two wins. Team India now has the opportunity to make it three out of three in the tournament.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/asia-cup-2025-mohammad-nabi-launches-merciless-assault-on-dunith-wellalages-bowling-in-sl-vs-afg-match-clobbers-5-sixes-video