Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka by Five Wickets in the Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan clinched a tense five-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025 at Abu Dhabi. Chasing a modest 134, Pakistan stuttered mid-innings before an unbroken 58-run partnership between Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat secured victory.
Sri Lanka’s Struggles with the Bat
Winning the toss and bowling first gave Pakistan the edge. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in the powerplay, while Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf found movement. Sri Lanka lost three wickets inside six overs, scoring 53 runs in that period.
Kamindu Mendis fought with a gritty 50 off 44 balls, but no other batter offered resistance. Talat delivered a crucial double strike, removing Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka. Abrar Ahmed bowled economically, conceding only eight runs in four overs. Sri Lanka managed only 133 for 8, well below the average first-innings total at this venue.
Afridi’s Early Impact
Shaheen Afridi led from the front. He dismissed Pathum Nissanka with extra bounce and later added Kusal Perera to his tally. Afridi ended with figures of 3 for 28. His strikes ensured Sri Lanka never built momentum.
Talat and Nawaz Seal the Chase
Pakistan started the chase strongly with Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman adding 45 runs. However, Theekshana and Hasaranga hit back, reducing Pakistan to 80 for 5 by the 12th over.
At this point, Sri Lanka sensed an upset. But Talat and Nawaz stayed calm. They rotated strike, absorbed pressure, and waited for the right moment. Nawaz then switched gears in the death overs, smashing three sixes to finish unbeaten on 38 off 24 balls. Talat supported with 32 off 30.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Shaheen Afridi’s three wickets broke Sri Lanka’s backbone early.
- Talat’s all-round show (32* runs, 2 wickets) proved decisive.
- Nawaz’s late hitting sealed the chase with authority.
- Sri Lanka’s batting collapse left them well short of a competitive score.
What This Means for the Asia Cup 2025
This result pushed Sri Lanka to the brink. With two losses, their hopes now depend on Bangladesh beating India. Pakistan, meanwhile, strengthened their position with another win, thanks to a calm finish under pressure.
