Afghanistan endured another dramatic batting collapse at the Shaikh Zayed Stadium in their must-win Asia Cup Group B clash against Sri Lanka. From a steady start at 26/0, they suddenly crumbled to 79/6 in the space of just 10 overs. With the middle order gone in a hurry, the responsibility once again shifted to the seasoned pair of Mohammed Nabi and Rashid Khan. Determined to lead from the front, the skipper took matters into his own hands and looked to counterattack.
Rashid wasted little time in announcing his intent. Off only his second ball, he danced down the track against Dunith Wellalage, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Two overs later, he collected 10 quick runs from Dasun Shanaka, further fuelling Afghanistan’s hopes. However, a series of dot balls soon strangled his momentum, pulling his strike rate down to nearly run-a-ball. With just three overs left in the innings, Rashid knew he had to target Nuwan Thushara, regardless of the risk.
As Thushara charged in, he cleverly disguised his delivery. Instead of offering pace on the ball, the Sri Lankan quick rolled his fingers at release, taking the sting out of it. Rashid, having shuffled across the stumps in anticipation of power-hitting, was completely deceived. Going down on one knee, he swung hard towards the leg side but missed completely. The ball dipped under his bat, struck him on the body right in front of the stumps, and sparked a loud appeal.
— Why_Benstokes (@benstokes94425) September 18, 2025
Rashid Khan trying to take DRS for clean bowled decision.😂
— شیخ مجیب الرحمٰن (@sheen_mohnyiv) September 18, 2025
And then he will start fighting with umpires. pic.twitter.com/EPwGKKqC9G
Unwilling to concede, Rashid instantly signalled for a review before the umpire could even raise his finger. But chaos followed. The ball, after striking Rashid, dropped at his feet and rolled gently back onto the stumps, dislodging the bail and lighting up the wicket. The Afghan skipper, still oblivious to what had happened, stood his ground, convinced he was still in the fight.
It took Thushara and the umpire pointing behind him for Rashid to finally realize his dismissal. Only then did he glance back, notice the glowing stumps, and walk off with a rueful smile. The bizarre sequence — Rashid not realizing his own downfall until the umpire’s intervention — summed up the pressure and drama of Afghanistan’s faltering innings, leaving fans stunned at what they had just witnessed.