Afghanistan were floundering at 120\/7 at the end of 18 overs, with Sri Lanka\u2019s Nuwan Thushara taking 4-18. But Nabi, the longest-serving member of the Afghanistan side, turned the tide with a breathtaking assault in the final two overs \u2013 amassing a jaw-dropping 46 runs, of which 32 runs came in the final over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His 35-run stand with skipper Rashid Khan (24) was the highest partnership of the innings, and his final-over fireworks off Dunith Wellalage - five sixes, including one coming off a no-ball \u2013 took Afghanistan from a middling total to one they\u2019ll back their bowlers to defend.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Incidentally, Nabi was dropped once in the deep by Wellalage - an error which would come back to bite Sri Lanka hard. Earlier, Afghanistan had started brightly by amassing 26 runs in the first two overs. But they lost momentum after Thushara\u2019s incisive powerplay spell saw him remove Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim Janat, and Sediqullah Atal to reduce Afghanistan to 45\/3 at the end of power-play.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Afghanistan found themselves struggling with strike rotation, especially with no boundary coming after the fourth over. Sri Lanka\u2019s fielding was electric - Kusal Perera\u2019s relay catch to dismiss Darwish Rasooli, while Dushmantha Chameera\u2019s acrobatic grab to send back Azmatullah Omarzai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rashid started the counter-attack by carting Shanaka for a pair of boundaries, including a delightful no-look six, before being castled by Thushara. Nabi\u2019s fightback began when he hit Chameera for a hat-trick of boundaries - behind point, in front of square, and via an edge to fine leg, as 17 runs came.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the final over by Wellalage, Nabi pounced by launching the first three balls for sixes, before getting two more maximums and then being run out on the final ball. Nabi\u2019s final flourish has ensured Afghanistan have a fighting chance to book their spot in Super Fours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rashid started the counter-attack by carting Shanaka for a pair of boundaries, including a delightful no-look six, before being castled by Thushara. Nabi\u2019s fightback began when he hit Chameera for a hat-trick of boundaries - behind point, in front of square, and via an edge to fine leg, as 17 runs came.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Afghanistan 169\/8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Nabi 60, Rashid Khan 24; Nuwan Thushara 4-18, Dasun Shanaka 1-29) against Sri Lanka<\/p>\r\n\r\n