Former Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi single-handedly turned a do-or-die Asia Cup match on its head by blasting five straight sixes in the last over against Sri Lanka. His 60 runs off 22 balls moved Afghanistan from a shaky 120/7 in the 18th over to a much more competitive 169/8.
Both teams were trying to get into the Super Four, and Nabi sparked a late-inning charge. After hitting three straight boundaries off pacer Dushmantha Chameera in the second-to-last over, he utterly destroyed left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage in the last over, scoring an amazing 32 runs.
Sri Lanka’s skipper, Charith Asalanka, made a risky choice by giving a spinner the last over. He had already used up all of his fast bowling alternatives. Nabi, a great spin player, took advantage of the chance.
Wellalage misread his length on the opening ball of the 20th over, and Nabi hit the ball over long-off for a six. The bowler slowed down on the next delivery, but Nabi was ready and sent his second maximum over the deep mid-wicket boundary. Wellalage altered his angle, but Nabi still smashed a third six straight down the ground.
After a no-ball, Nabi hit another six to finish his half-century. His following stroke kept the streak of six-hitting going, which led to a short talk between the bowler and the skipper. The experienced all-rounder couldn’t beat Yuvraj Singh’s record of six sixes in an over. He only got one before going out on the last ball of the innings.
Afghanistan, who is not recognized for being a good chasing team, won the toss and elected to bat first. But they got off to a rough start, losing three wickets in the powerplay to Nuwan Thusara’s moving ball. He ended the game with a great spell of 4 for 18. Even if things didn’t go well at first, Nabi’s valiant efforts helped Afghanistan reach a difficult total and win the game.