Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025: Bilal Sami’s 4/45 & Last-Ball Drama as Afghanistan A Edge Sri Lanka A by 3 Wickets
West End Park, Doha – 15 November 2025In a nail-biting finale under Doha’s floodlights, Afghanistan A defended their title credentials with a 3-wicket victory over Sri Lanka A, chasing 171 off the penultimate ball. Bilal Sami’s 4/45 had earlier restricted Sri Lanka to 170/9, but the chase saw fireworks, collapses, and a tense last-over stand between Qais Ahmad (16)* and Abdollah Ahmadzai (1)* that sealed the deal with one ball remaining.
Player of the Match: Bilal Sami (AFG-A) – 4/45 & 2 catches
Sri Lanka batting highlights
Sri Lanka A 170/9 (20 ov) – Milan’s Blitz, Bilal’s BurstElecting to bat, Sri Lanka lost three wickets in the powerplay to Bilal Sami’s fiery new-ball spell:
- 29/1 (2.4 ov): Vishen Halambage (28 off 13) bowled by AM Ghazanfar.
- 34/2 (3.1 ov): Lasith Croospulle (1) caught-and-bowled by Bilal.
- 39/4 (3.5 ov): Nishan Madushka (5) lbw & Sahan Arachchige (0) edged behind in back-to-back balls.
Dunith Wellalage (c) (33) and Nuwanidu Fernando (39) rebuilt with a 66-run stand, but Ghazanfar (3/32) struck again. Milan Rathnayake’s 41 off 19 (3 sixes) lifted them to 170/9—a fighting total on a grippy track.
Key Stand: 66 runs in 55 balls – Wellalage & Fernando (5th wicket)
Afghanistan Bowling highlights :
- Bilal Sami: 4/45 (4) – new-ball destroyer + 2 catches
- AM Ghazanfar: 3/32 (4)
- Abdollah Ahmadzai: 1/30 (4)
Afghanistan batting highlights
Afghanistan A 171/7 (19.5 ov, T:171) – Atal’s 54, Viyaskanth’s FightbackChasing 171 (8.55 rpo), Afghanistan exploded early:
- 91/1 in 7.3 overs: Sediqullah Atal (54 off 27, 5 sixes) and Imran (34 off 21) added 84 in 40 balls.
- 91/2 (7.4 ov): Imran caught at long-on.
Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (3/28) triggered a collapse:
- 103/3 (9.4 ov): Atal caught at deep midwicket.
- 111/5 (11.5 ov): Farmanullah (1) lbw, Mohammad Ishaq (4) bowled.
Darwish Rasooli (c) (32) kept hope alive, but Isitha Wijesundara removed him at 140/6. With 31 needed off 18, Nangeyalia Kharote (15) fell to Wellalage in the 20th over.Enter Qais Ahmad—a six over midwicket off the fifth ball of the final over left 2 needed off 1. Abdollah nudged a single—AFGHANISTAN WIN.
Fall of wickets: 7/1, 91/2, 103/3, 106/4, 111/5, 140/6, 170/7
Sri Lanka Bowling highlights :
- Vijayakanth Viyaskanth: 3/28 (4) – middle-overs magician
- Sahan Arachchige: 1/7 (2)
- Dunith Wellalage: 1/23 (1.5)
Key Moments
| Over | Event |
|---|---|
| 3.1-3.5 | Bilal Sami double strike – SL 39/4 |
| 7.3 | Atal-Imran 84-run blitz – AFG 91/1 |
| 9.4-11.5 | Viyaskanth triple – AFG 111/5 |
| 19.3 | Kharote caught – AFG 170/7 (3 needed off 3) |
| 19.5 | Qais six + Abdollah single – AFG WIN |
Standout Performers
- Bilal Sami (AFG-A): 4/45 + 2 catches – Match-winner with ball and in field.
- Sediqullah Atal (AFG-A): 54 (27) – Powerplay destroyer.
- Milan Rathnayake (SL-A): 41 (19) – Late-order fireworks.
What It Means
- Afghanistan A: 2 points, +0.15 NRR – Group A leaders.
- Sri Lanka A: 0-1 – must-win vs Hong Kong next.
- Next: Bangladesh A vs Afghanistan A – Nov 17, 5:00 PM IST.
Final Scorecard Summary Sri Lanka A vs Afghanistan A
Sri Lanka A 170/9 (20)
Nuwanidu Fernando 39 (35), Milan Rathnayake 41 (19), Dunith Wellalage 33 (29)
Bilal Sami 4/45, AM Ghazanfar 3/32
Afghanistan A 171/7 (19.5)
Sediqullah Atal 54 (27), Imran 34 (21), Darwish Rasooli 32 (22)
Vijayakanth Viyaskanth 3/28, Isitha Wijesundara 1/40
Result: Afghanistan A won by 3 wickets (1 ball remaining)
A thriller for the ages. Bilal Sami set it up, Qais Ahmad finished it—Afghanistan A are alive and dangerous.
