Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka set 134-run target for Pakistan 

Abu Dhabi (Web Desk): Sri Lanka could only put up 133 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their 20 overs, leaving Pakistan a target of 134 in the crucial Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Batting first, the defending champions relied mainly on Kamindu Mendis, who fought hard for a half-century, but the rest of the batting order struggled.

The innings began poorly when Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in quick time, removing Kusal Mendis for no score and Pathum Nissanka for eight inside his opening spell.

Despite that shaky start, Sri Lanka reached 53 runs by the end of the powerplay, though they had already lost three wickets.

Pakistan then gained firm control when captain Salman Ali Agha brought Hussain Talat into the attack, and the all-rounder immediately delivered by dismissing two batters in his very first over, reducing Sri Lanka to 58 for five after 7.3 overs.

At that stage Wanindu Hasaranga joined Kamindu Mendis and the pair cautiously added 22 runs before Abrar Ahmed bowled Hasaranga for 15 in the 13th over. Kamindu continued to resist, reaching a determined fifty from 44 balls with three boundaries and two sixes. His effort, however, ended in the second-last over when Afridi dismissed him soon after the milestone.

Kamindu finished as the top scorer with exactly 50, while Shaheen Afridi led Pakistan’s attack with three wickets for 28 runs.

Haris Rauf and Hussain Talat shared two wickets each, and Abrar Ahmed picked up one, leaving Sri Lanka with a modest total to defend.

Teams

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem, Khushdil Shah, Hasan Nawaz

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Binura Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana