Sri Lanka finally opened their account in the Asia Cup 2026 with a dramatic three-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Match 6 at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The contest will be remembered for one extraordinary spell from Matheesha Pathirana, whose sensational hat-trick and six-wicket haul produced one of the greatest bowling performances in Asia Cup history.
Pathirana’s devastating spell reduced Afghanistan to ruins before Sri Lanka survived a late scare to chase down the target and secure their first victory of the tournament.
After winning the toss, Afghanistan elected to bat first, hoping to post a challenging total. However, their plans were shattered in the second over of the innings when Matheesha Pathirana produced a spell for the ages.
The Sri Lankan speedster struck immediately by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 7. On the very next delivery, he removed Najibullah Zadran for a golden duck. The pressure mounted further when Sediqullah Atal was bowled first ball, completing a sensational hat-trick and sending Afghanistan into complete disarray.
Within moments, Afghanistan had collapsed from 7/0 to 7/3, leaving their batting lineup stunned and Sri Lanka firmly in control.
Pathirana was not finished. He returned later in the innings to dismiss Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi, completing a breathtaking six-wicket haul. His final figures of 6 wickets for just 6 runs from two overs were among the finest ever recorded in T10 cricket.
Afghanistan’s innings never truly recovered from the early collapse. Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai both fell cheaply, leaving the score at a disastrous 14/5.
Just when it appeared Afghanistan would be bowled out for one of the lowest totals in tournament history, all-rounder Mohammad Nabi launched a remarkable counterattack. Nabi smashed 38 runs from only 13 deliveries, striking three fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 292.31. He single-handedly lifted Afghanistan from embarrassment and carried them to a somewhat respectable total.
Hazratullah Zazai also contributed 26 from 11 balls before becoming another victim of Pathirana’s magic. Afghanistan eventually finished on 81 all out in seven overs.
Apart from Pathirana’s brilliance, Vishwa Fernando claimed two wickets, while Sri Lanka also executed two run-outs to maintain relentless pressure throughout the innings.
Chasing a modest target of 82, Sri Lanka appeared set for a comfortable victory but Afghanistan refused to surrender.
Naveen-ul-Haq produced a superb opening spell, dismissing Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis to leave Sri Lanka wobbling at 5/2. Dinesh Chandimal responded with an aggressive 23 from 11 balls and briefly steadied the chase alongside Kusal Perera, who added 14 from eight deliveries.
However, Afghanistan continued fighting. Naveen removed Chandimal to claim his third wicket, while Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Kusal Perera. Run-outs then sent Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka back to the pavilion, suddenly reducing Sri Lanka to 47/5.
The match remained finely balanced when Wanindu Hasaranga entered the crease. The Sri Lankan captain produced a crucial knock of 17 from seven balls, striking three boundaries and helping restore momentum.
Even after Hasaranga’s dismissal, Afghanistan kept applying pressure. At 68/7, Sri Lanka still needed 14 runs and the possibility of another upset began to emerge.
Eshan Malinga then delivered the decisive blow. The young batter smashed an unbeaten 16 from six deliveries, including three boundaries, guiding Sri Lanka safely to 82/7 in 7.5 overs and ending Afghanistan’s resistance.
Match Highlights
- Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 3 wickets.
- Afghanistan were bowled out for 81 in 7 overs.
- Matheesha Pathirana took a sensational hat-trick in the second over.
- Pathirana dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, and Sediqullah Atal on consecutive deliveries.
- Pathirana finished with extraordinary figures of 6/6 in 2 overs.
- Mohammad Nabi top-scored for Afghanistan with 38 from 13 balls.
- Hazratullah Zazai contributed 26 from 11 deliveries.
- Naveen-ul-Haq claimed 3 wickets and nearly inspired a comeback.
- Dinesh Chandimal scored 23 from 11 balls in the chase.
- Eshan Malinga remained unbeaten on 16 from 6 balls to finish the game.
Player of the Match
Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka)
Pathirana delivered a bowling masterclass that completely transformed the match. His second-over hat-trick destroyed Afghanistan’s top order, and he finished with astonishing figures of 6 wickets for just 6 runs from two overs. It was one of the most dominant individual performances of Asia Cup 2026 and earned him a well-deserved Player of the Match award.
Sri Lanka’s victory keeps their tournament hopes alive after two earlier defeats, while Afghanistan remain winless despite Mohammad Nabi’s valiant effort. More importantly, cricket fans witnessed a spell that will be remembered for years — Matheesha Pathirana’s hat-trick hurricane that blew Afghanistan away in Multan.