There was a time when Afghanistan’s cricketing journey began on dusty grounds and refugee camps, fueled only by passion and sheer willpower.
Today, that same nation continues to script fairy-tale chapters on the global stage. On Thursday, in a must-win Group B clash against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan once again displayed the grit and flair that have defined their rise in world cricket.
And at the heart of it all was their veteran warrior—Mohammad Nabi—who turned back the clock with a breathtaking display of power hitting, hammering five sixes in a single over to drag his team from a precarious position to a fighting total of 169/8 in 20 overs.
The Nabi Storm in the Final Over
Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage, who had earlier reprieved Nabi with a dropped catch when the Afghan star was still in single digits, bore the brunt of one of the most destructive finishes seen in recent T20 history.
- The first ball disappeared over long-off.
- The second was smoked over deep mid-wicket.
- The third was launched straight down the ground.
- The fourth, a no-ball, was dispatched over wide long-off for a free-hit six.
- The fifth went soaring over Cow Corner.
At that stage, six sixes in an over seemed inevitable, but the last ball fetched only two runs—still leaving Wellalage’s over worth a staggering 32 runs. This became the second most expensive over conceded by a Sri Lankan in T20Is, after Akila Dananjaya’s infamous 36-run over against Kieron Pollard in 2021.
Early Woes, Late Redemption
Earlier, Afghanistan had been rattled by Sri Lanka’s pace sensation Nuwan Thushara, who ripped through the top order with figures of 4/18. By the end of the powerplay, Afghanistan were reeling, with only Rashid Khan (24 off 20) and Ibrahim Zadran (24 off 27) offering some resistance.
But just when it seemed Afghanistan would fold for a modest total, Nabi walked in and changed the script. His 22-ball 60, peppered with six sixes and three fours, reminded the world why he remains one of Afghanistan’s greatest cricketing icons.
A Symbol of Afghanistan’s Growth
Nabi’s knock was more than just a display of brute force—it symbolized Afghanistan’s journey itself. From humble origins to standing toe-to-toe with giants of the game, the team has come to represent resilience, passion, and a never-say-die spirit.
In many ways, this innings will be remembered not just for the scoreboard pressure it imposed on Sri Lanka, but also as another chapter in Afghanistan’s rise as a serious force in international cricket. For a nation that embraced cricket only a few decades ago, moments like these echo far beyond the boundary ropes—they inspire millions back home.
Brief Scores
Afghanistan 169/8 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 24, Mohammad Nabi 60, Rashid Khan 24; Nuwan Thushara 4/18) vs Sri Lanka.
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