Cricket Highlights, March 15: Asian Legends League 2025 (Eliminator) – SLLS vs AFGP

SLLS vs AFGP (Eliminator) – Highlights

The SLLS put on a dominant performance to seal a 26-run victory over AFGP in the Eliminator of the Asian Legends League 2025 at the Miraj International Cricket Stadium in Udaipur. A powerful batting display led by Mevan Fernando and Thisara Perera set the tone for the Lions, while their bowlers held their nerve against a spirited Afghan fightback.

Opting to bat first, the SLLS suffered an early setback when Leo Fransisco fell for a duck in the second over, caught off the bowling of Munis Ansari. Dilshan, who looked promising, was also dismissed soon after, leaving the team at 16 for 2. However, from that point on, it was all about Mevan Fernando’s brilliance at the crease.

Fernando played a breathtaking knock, scoring an unbeaten 81 off just 56 deliveries, studded with seven boundaries and three towering sixes. He found able support from Lasith Lakshan, who contributed a quickfire 19 before being run out. But it was Captain Thisara Perera who truly changed the course of the innings. The veteran all-rounder went berserk in the death overs, hammering an explosive 108 off only 36 balls, which included 21 fours and 3 sixes. His aggressive approach took the Lions to an imposing total of 230 for 3 in 20 overs.

The Afghanistan Pathans bowlers had a forgettable outing, with none of them able to contain the flow of runs. Munis Ansari picked up two wickets but conceded 40 runs in his four overs, while Ayaan Khan was the most expensive, leaking 65 runs in his spell.

Chasing a mammoth target of 231, AFGP needed a blazing start. Mausib Khan gave them early momentum with a 15-run cameo, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Shabir Noori fought hard for his 22, but the early loss of Shoaib Khan for a duck and Ayaan Khan’s dismissal for 52 left the Pathans struggling to keep up with the required rate.

Captain Asghar Afghan played a valiant knock of 70 off 31 deliveries, smashing five sixes and eight boundaries. His aggressive batting reignited Afghanistan’s hopes, but once he fell in the 18th over, the chase lost steam. Farman Ahmed and Asad Pathan failed to convert their starts, and despite a fighting unbeaten 65 from Vikram Rajawat, the Pathans could only manage 204 for 7 in their 20 overs.

For the Sri Lankan Lions, Malinda Pushpakumara was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 20 in his four-over spell. Vikum Sanjaya also made crucial breakthroughs, finishing with 3 for 32. Upul Indrasiri and Thisara Perera chipped in with key wickets to ensure that Afghanistan never quite got ahead in the chase.

With this victory, the Sri Lankan Lions have booked their place in the final of the Asian Legends League 2025.

Sri Lankan Lions vs Afghanistan Pathans Scoreboard

Sri Lankan Lions – 230/3 (20)

Afghanistan Pathans – 204/7 (20)

Result – Sri Lankan Lions won by 26 runs

Player of the Match – Thisara Perera

SLLS vs AFGP Playing XIs

Sri Lankan Lions

Leo Fransisco (wk), Dilshan, Mevan Fernando, Lasith Lakshan, Thisara Perera (c), Sanjaya, Raveen Sayer, Gamage, Edirisinghe, Malinda Pushpakumara, Upul Indrasiri.

Afghanistan Pathans

Mausib Khan, Shabir Noori, Shoaib Khan, Ayaan Khan, Asghar Afghan (c), Asad Pathan, Farman Ahmed, Vikram Rajawat (wk), Sahejadkhan Pathan, Ashraf Pathan, Munis Ansari.

Disclaimer: These match highlights reflect the author’s insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the points discussed and form their own conclusions.

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