Abu Dhabi: Veteran Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi turned back the clock with a breathtaking late assault to rescue Afghanistan in their must-win Asia Cup Group B clash against Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday. The 40-year-old hammered a whirlwind 60 off just 22 balls, smashing five sixes in a single over, to lift his side from a precarious collapse to a competitive 169/8.
Nabi turns the game on its head
At one stage, Afghanistan looked destined for a below-par total. Having slipped to 120/7 after 18 overs, their innings was unravelling against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. But Nabi, the senior-most member of the squad, had other ideas.
Facing left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage in the final over, Nabi launched a stunning counterattack, clubbing five massive sixes — one of them off a no-ball — to collect 32 runs from the over. This became Sri Lanka’s second-most expensive over in T20I history, only behind the 36 runs conceded by Akila Dananjaya to Kieron Pollard in 2021.
Nabi’s knock came almost poetically on the eve of the anniversary of Yuvraj Singh’s iconic six-sixes feat against Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup, adding to its symbolism.
Thushara rattles Afghan top order
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s young pacer Nuwan Thushara produced a fiery opening burst to put Afghanistan under immense pressure. He removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim Janat and Sediqullah Atal inside the powerplay, reducing them to 45/3. Thushara finished with impressive figures of 4/18, dismantling Afghanistan’s hopes of a strong start.
Sri Lanka’s fielders also played their part in keeping Afghanistan in check. Kusal Perera’s sharp relay catch and a stunning grab by Dushmantha Chameera ensured the middle order could not settle. By the 15th over, Afghanistan were struggling to build partnerships, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals.
Rashid provides support
Skipper Rashid Khan tried to counterattack, striking two boundaries and a flamboyant no-look six off Dasun Shanaka. His cameo of 24 added some much-needed impetus before he too fell to Thushara. Crucially, Rashid’s 35-run partnership with Nabi laid the platform for the latter’s fireworks.
Nabi capitalised on that base, raising his fifty off just 20 deliveries, equalling the joint-fastest T20I fifty by an Afghan player. His innings, laced with six sixes and four boundaries, was a reminder of his enduring value to Afghan cricket.
Record-breaking knock
Nabi’s effort placed him in rare company. He became only the third cricketer aged over 40 to score a T20I half-century against a full-member side, joining Chris Gayle and Mohammad Hafeez.
Afghanistan’s eventual total of 169/8 was remarkable considering they were tottering at 74/6 earlier. It also entered the record books as the third-highest T20I score by a full-member team after losing six wickets for under 80 runs.
For Wellalage, however, the outing was one to forget. Dropping Nabi once in the deep, he later bore the brunt of his wrath in that unforgettable final over.
Afghanistan’s hopes alive
Nabi’s brilliance has not only revived Afghanistan’s innings but also their tournament hopes. A win against Sri Lanka would keep them alive in the race for the Super Fours, making this knock one of the most significant of Nabi’s illustrious career.
Whether Afghanistan can defend the total depends on their bowling attack, spearheaded by Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi. But thanks to Nabi’s incredible assault, the team now has a fighting chance.