Pakistan registered a crucial five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage, chasing down a modest target of 134 with 12 balls to spare. It was a complete performance by the Men in Green, who showed composure with the bat after their bowlers had restricted Sri Lanka to 133/8 in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Highlights
After losing the toss Sri Lanka put to bat first, the innings got off to a shaky start as Pathum Nissanka fell cheaply for 8 runs off 7 balls. Kusal Mendis departed for golden duck in the very next over, leaving Sri Lanka struggling, Kusal pareera tried to steady the innings with 15 off 12 balls but he was dismissed by Haris Rauf. Captain Charith Asalanka contributed 20 runs off 19 balls but his innings was cut short by Hussain Talat . Sri Lanka batting came from kamindu Mendis who played fighting knock of 50 runs off 44 deliveries with the help of 3 fours and 2 sixes, his innings together amidst regular wickets, Shanaka goes very first ball, while Hasaranga add some runs 15 off 13 balls . Chamika karunaratne provided late resistance with an unbeaten 17 off 21 balls ensuring sri Lanka crossed 130 run mark. Dushmantha Chameera managed just 1 , while Theekshana reamin not out on o.
Pakistan bowling Shaheen Afridi 3/28 in 4 overs, Haris Rauf 2/37 in 4 overs and Husain Talat 2/18 in 3 overs.
At the end of their innings Sri Lanka 133/8 in 20 overs
In reply Pakistan batting started briskly , Sahibzada Farhan gace them early momentum with 24 off 15 balls , while Fakhar Zaman 17 off 19 Played a supportive role but it was undone by Theekshana , while Hasaranga dismissed saim Ayub cheaply on 2 runs ,Sri Lanka sensed has opportunity when salman Ali Agha also trapped leg before by Hasaranga on 5 , reducing pakistan to a tricky 57/4 .
However, the game turned with a steady 58 unbeaten partnership between Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz . Talat anchored the innings with an unbeaten 32* off 30 balls, hitting four boundaries, while Haris added a quick 13 from 11 balls before being bowled by Chameera. The real impact came from Mohammad Nawaz, who played a match-winning knock of 38* off 24 balls, laced with three fours and three sixes. His aggressive stroke play shifted the pressure back on Sri Lanka and ensured Pakistan crossed the line comfortably.
Pakistan reached 138/5 in 18 overs, winning with two overs to spare. The chase was well managed despite a mid-innings wobble,
Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, finishing with figures of 2/24 in his four overs, while Hasaranga 2/27, and Chameera chipped in with one wicket each.