Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 5 wickets in the Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2025 in Abu Dhabi. This match was a do-or-die affair for both teams, as both had lost their first Super Four match.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first, restricting Sri Lanka to 133 runs in 20 overs. Shaheen Afridi bowled brilliantly, taking 3 wickets.
Pakistan’s impressive bowling shatters Sri Lanka’s batting
Sri Lanka got off to a poor start. Opener Kusal Mendis was dismissed just one ball later when Shaheen Afridi had him caught by Hussain Talat. Afridi then had Pathum Nissanka caught by Haris.
Kusal Perera scored a few runs before Haris Rauf dismissed him. Charith Asalanka made 20 runs before Hussain Talat had him caught by Rauf.
Dasun Shanaka also departed early. Wanindu Hasaranga scored 15 runs but was bowled by Abrar Ahmed. Kamindu Mendis played a knock of 50 runs but was eventually trapped LBW by Shaheen.
Dushmantha Chameera was caught by Salman off Rauf. Abrar Ahmed conceded the least runs among Sri Lankan bowlers, taking 1 wicket for just 8 runs. This spell was the most economical spinning spell of the Asia Cup.
Pakistan Shows Strength in the Chase
Pakistan had a target of 134 runs. Sahibzada Farhan scored 24 runs but was caught by Kusal Mendis off Mahesh Deekshan. Fakhar Zaman scored 17 runs but was then dismissed by Hasaranga off Deekshan.
Saim Ayub and Agha Salman also departed early, both dismissed by Hasaranga. Mohammad Haris scored 13 runs but was bowled by Chameera. From there, Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz did wonders.
Talat remained unbeaten on 32, and Nawaz hit 38 runs, hitting three sixes. Together, they turned the match around.
Pakistan won by scoring 138 runs in 18 overs. Hasaranga took two wickets, while Diksha also took two wickets.
Pakistan’s next Super Four match will be against Bangladesh. This match will be held at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on September 25th.
India defeated Pakistan in their last Super Four match, and they will take on Bangladesh tomorrow.
