In a high‑stakes Super Four encounter during Asia Cup 2025 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Pakistan delivered a dominant performance and defeated Sri Lanka by 5 wickets. Sri Lanka, batting first, were restricted to 133/8 in 20 overs. Pakistan chased this target in 18 overs, scoring 138/5, with 12 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka’s innings had one shining contribution from Kamindu Mendis, who scored 50 off 44 balls to try to steady their side’s batting. However, apart from his effort, Sri Lanka’s batting struggled under tight bowling. Shaheen Shah Afridi was the spearhead for Pakistan’s bowling, grabbing 3 wickets for 28 runs in his 4 overs. Other Pakistan bowlers like Hussain Talat also made key breakthroughs, finishing with 2/18.
The chase began with promise, but Pakistan’s top and middle order collapsed. They slipped to 80/5 by the 12th over, with Sri Lankan bowlers making the match tense. Their unbroken stand of 58 runs in 41 balls guided Pakistan home. Hussain Talat was named Player of the Match for his all‑round contribution.
For Pakistan
- Mohammad Nawaz – 38 (24 balls): Played a crucial innings with calm and aggression, guiding the team through a tricky chase.
- Hussain Talat – 32 (30 balls) & 2/18 (3 overs): Delivered a fantastic all-round performance, giving his best with both bat and ball to secure the win.
For Sri Lanka
- Kamindu Mendis – 50 (44 balls): Showed great determination and skill, playing his best to keep Sri Lanka’s hopes alive.
- Maheesh Theekshana – 2/24 and Wanindu Hasaranga – 2/27: Bowled with discipline and fight, giving their best effort to challenge Pakistan’s batting lineup.
This win holds great importance for Pakistan, not just in terms of points, but also as a big morale boost. After a few shaky performances earlier in the tournament, this game proved that the team has the character and depth to bounce back under pressure. The calm shown by Nawaz and Talat during the tense chase will surely please the team management and fans alike.
On the other side, Sri Lanka will be disappointed with their batting performance. Even though they started well in the powerplay, they couldn’t build strong partnerships through the middle overs. Their bowlers performed admirably to try and defend a low total, but the lack of runs made the task nearly impossible. This loss puts them in a must-win situation going forward.
For fans, the match was a treat. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, with both Pakistani and Sri Lankan supporters turning up in large numbers. Every boundary was cheered, every wicket celebrated, and the energy never dropped. The scenes after Pakistan’s win showed the passion and love for cricket in both nations.
Looking ahead, Pakistan now has momentum going into their final Super Four game. If they can continue this level of performance, they will be strong contenders for the Asia Cup final. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, needs to quickly fix their batting issues if they want to stay in the race. One thing is certain: with the knockout stages approaching, the drama is just getting started.