WATCH: Mohammad Nabi scores fastest ever fifty by Afghanistan batter in ODIs in SL vs AFG Asia Cup 2023 clash

Although Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan in a close encounter in the Asia Cup 2023, Mohammad Nabi’s heroics in the game will remain immortal for quite some time in Afghanistan’s cricketing history. Chasing 292 runs inside 37.1 overs with the aim to qualify for the Super Four stages of the tournament, Nabi remained the chief architect of Afghanistan’s efforts. He scored 65 off 32, including six fours and five sixes. In the process, he scored the fastest fifty by an Afghan batter in ODIs, reaching the milestone in 24 balls.

Here's a video of his masterful knock:

Mohammad Nabi masterclass against Sri Lanka!

The fastest ever fifty by an Afghanistan batter in ODIs. pic.twitter.com/e7MERNVycX

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 5, 2023

Afghanistan's innings got off to a shaky start as they lost both their openers cheaply. Rahmanullah Gurbaz managed just 4 runs off 8 balls, while Ibrahim Zadran could only muster 7 runs off 14 deliveries. However, the middle-order batsmen came to the rescue and steadied the ship for the Afghan team.

Sri Lanka won the game by 2 runs

Gulbadin Naib played well, contributing 22 runs off 16 balls, but he couldn't stay at the crease for long. Rahmat Shah played a pivotal role, scoring 45 runs off 40 balls, which included five boundaries and a towering six. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi also played a crucial innings, adding 59 runs off 66 deliveries, featuring three fours and a powerful six. In the final stages of the innings, Karim Janat (22 runs off 13 balls), Najibullah Zadran (23 runs off 15 balls), and Rashid Khan (27 runs off 16 balls) led a spirited charge for Afghanistan. However, their efforts fell just three runs short of the target, resulting in a narrow two-run victory for the hosts

In the earlier stages of the match, the home team won the toss and opted to bat first. They made the most of their familiarity with the home conditions and compiled an imposing total of 291/8 in their allotted 50 overs. The opening pair of Pathum Nissanka (41 runs off 40 balls) and Dimuth Karunaratne (32 runs off 35 balls) laid a solid foundation by putting together a partnership of 63 runs. However, it was Kusal Mendis who stole the show, emerging as the highest run-scorer for the host team with a splendid innings of 92 runs off 84 balls. His innings was laced with six boundaries and three mighty sixes, making a significant impact on the team's total.