AFG vs SL | Twitter reacts as Nabi renders 19 overs of Lankan dominance void with five straight sixes

Today at 10:28 PM

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Modern T20 cricket deals in only two currencies: explosiveness and impact. Mohammed Nabi's two-decade international career are built on those very cornerstones, and the veteran unleashed his experience in all its glory against Sri Lanka on Thursday with a 32-run final over in Abu Dhabi.

Mohammed Nabi near singlehandedly took Afghanistan to a competitive score against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi in the Asia Cup

Afghanistan got off to an ideal start in their must-win clash against Sri Lanka at the Zayed Cricket Stadium as they smashed 28 runs off the first two overs to set themselves up for a big score. However, two Nuwan Thushara scalps right after derailed their plans and the wickets never stopped tumbling thereon as 26/0 became 79/6. Cameos from Ibrahim Zadran and Rashid Khan brought some stability and stretched the score past 100 but when the last over rolled around, the Afghans were still under-par at 137/7 with Mohammed Nabi on strike. Fortunately for the veteran, the Lions had only kept an over for Dunith Wellalage hoping to strike their opposition out before they needed him and albeit the youngster had conceded just 1/17 in his three overs, a tall order awaited him. Yet, no one in the stadium could have guessed to what scale the evening was about to change.

Wellalage began from around the stumps and landed the first ball in Nabi's slot who needed no second invitation to stand-and-deliver the Kookaburra over long-on. Wellalage dropped his length a little to compensate, only for Nabi to patiently wait for the ball and hoick towards midwicket for another maximum. The spinner, under pressure, decided to switch sides but failed to tamper his line or length enough as another ball in the slot found its way beyond the ropes to make it three sixes in three balls. The tension was beginning to boil over and as the crowd's cheer grew more raucous, Wellalage made the fatal mistake of overstepping in trying to keep the ball out of Nabi's hitting arc. A free-hit followed, as did another maximum over the bowler's head to bring up a 20-ball fifty for Nabi, taking him within two blows of doing what every batter dreams of -- six sixes in an over. Wellalage switched up tactics by ging short on the penultimate ball but Nabi was waiting for it as he swiveled and pulled the Kookaburra into the night sky to take the over's tally to 31. However, the spinner made a good comeback by nailing a wide yorker on his final attempt, keeping Nabi from entering the history books.

Yet, when all is said and done, the Afghan all-rounder's efforts in Abu Dhabi might make it to Asia Cup folklore all the same.

Boom!

Mohammad Nabi hits 5 Consecutive sixes in last over.🥶🔥
— U' (@toxifyy18)

Fireworks!

5 Balls 5 Sixes by Mohammad Nabi against Dunith Wellalage in 20th over 😨
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07)

Great over!

Congratulations Afghanistan. Cricket is alive.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)

Smashed like anything!

Nabi Smashed 5 Consecutive 6s in an over 🔥😮
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar)

One man army!

40 year old Mohammad Nabi stood tall for Afghanistan with a 60 (22).
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)

He is the man!

Nabi in the first 6 balls - 5 runs.

Nabi in the last 16 balls - 55 runs.

ONE OF THE CRAZIEST INNINGS EVER IN ASIA CUP 🥶
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)

Agreed!

Age is just a Number: Mohammad Nabi smashed 5 Sixes in the final over against Sri Lanka 🤯
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda)

Hahaha!

TRULY THE PRESIDENT OF AFGHANISTAN CRICKET!

40-year-old Mohammad Nabi smashed blistering fifty , with 5 sixes in the last over, when Afghanistan was in deep trouble.
— junaiz (@dhillow_)

Beast!