In a captivating Asia Cup Group B clash at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan’s seasoned all-rounder, Mohammad Nabi, delivered a breathtaking performance, smashing a sensational 60 runs from just 22 balls. His innings, which included a remarkable five sixes in a single over, dramatically revived Afghanistan’s hopes, steering them from a vulnerable position to a formidable total of 169/8 against Sri Lanka.
Adding a layer of poetic significance, Nabi’s explosive batting display unfolded just ahead of the anniversary of Yuvraj Singh’s unforgettable six-sixes onslaught against Stuart Broad in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup, drawing compelling parallels between the two incredible feats.
Afghanistan’s innings appeared to be crumbling at a dismal 120/7 after 18 overs, largely due to Nuwan Thushara’s devastating spell of 4/18, which decimated their top order. However, Nabi, a stalwart of the Afghan team, single-handedly shifted the momentum. In a stunning two-over blitz, he hammered 46 runs, including an astonishing 32 from the final over delivered by Dunith Wellalage, completely transforming the scoreboard.
His crucial 35-run partnership with captain Rashid Khan (24) stood out as the most significant collaboration of the innings. Wellalage’s earlier dropped catch of Nabi proved to be a pivotal and expensive error. The Sri Lankan bowler then bore the brunt of Nabi’s power, conceding five well-struck sixes in the very last over, one of which came off a no-ball. Though Nabi was run out on the final delivery, his heroics ensured Afghanistan had a fighting total to defend.
The Afghan side had initially gotten off to a quick start, accumulating 26 runs in the opening two overs. Yet, Thushara’s piercing powerplay spell quickly disrupted their rhythm, dismissing key batsmen like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim Janat, and Sediqullah Atal, leaving Afghanistan at 45/3. Sri Lanka’s exceptional fielding, highlighted by a brilliant relay catch from Kusal Perera and a spectacular grab by Dushmantha Chameera, consistently hampered Afghanistan’s attempts to rebuild their innings.
Rashid Khan momentarily provided a counter-punch with two boundaries and an audacious no-look six off Dasun Shanaka before Thushara claimed his wicket. It was then Nabi’s turn to ignite the assault, starting with three consecutive boundaries off Chameera and ultimately reaching his fifty in a mere 20 balls, securing his place as the joint-fastest T20I half-centurion for Afghanistan.
His magnificent 60-run innings positioned Nabi as only the third player aged 40 or above, alongside Chris Gayle and Mohammad Hafeez, to register a T20I fifty against a full-member nation. Furthermore, Afghanistan’s final score of 169/8 marked the third-highest total achieved by a full-member team in T20Is after losing six wickets for fewer than 80 runs.
For Sri Lanka, Dunith Wellalage’s over, in which he conceded 32 runs, became their second-most expensive in T20I history, only surpassed by the 36 runs Kieron Pollard famously smashed off Akila Dananjaya in 2021.
Nabi’s phenomenal assault not only rescued Afghanistan’s innings but also dramatically boosted their chances of advancing to the Super Fours.