Abu Dhabi (Web Desk): Pakistan secured a crucial Super Fours victory in the Asia Cup 2025 after overcoming Sri Lanka by five wickets on at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, keeping their path to the final very much alive.
Chasing a target of 134 on a surface that tested both skill and patience, the men in green crossed the finish line with two overs to spare.
The pursuit began with promise as Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put on 45 runs during the powerplay, but both were undone by Maheesh Theekshana in the same over.
Farhan struck 24 from 15 balls, featuring two sixes and a boundary, while Fakhar managed 17 off 19 deliveries. Sri Lanka clawed back strongly when Wanindu Hasaranga removed Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha in quick succession, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 57 for four inside the ninth over.
A brief recovery followed through Mohammad Haris and Hussain Talat, who added 23 runs before Haris was bowled by Dushmantha Chameera in the 12th over, with the scoreboard reading 80 for five.
From there, Mohammad Nawaz combined with Talat to form the match-winning stand. Nawaz’s aggressive yet calculated 38 not out off 24 balls, laced with three sixes and three fours, proved decisive, while Talat played a steady hand with an unbeaten 32 from 30 deliveries.
Earlier in the contest, Sri Lanka were restricted to 133 for eight after being asked to bat first.
Their innings was rocked early by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who dismissed Kusal Mendis without scoring and Pathum Nissanka for eight in his opening spell.
Despite a steady 53 on the board at the end of the powerplay, the defending champions faltered once Hussain Talat struck twice in his very first over to leave them reeling at 58 for five.
Kamindu Mendis offered the only significant resistance, battling to a composed half-century.
His 50 from 44 balls, decorated with three fours and two sixes, stood out amid the collapse, though he too was eventually undone by Shaheen in the 19th over. Wanindu Hasaranga’s 15 was the only other double-figure score of note, as wickets continued to fall regularly.
Shaheen led Pakistan’s attack with three for 28, while Haris Rauf and Talat claimed two each, and Abrar Ahmed added one, ensuring Sri Lanka never built enough momentum to post a daunting total.