Abu Dhabi, September 23, 2025 – Pakistan kept their Asia Cup 2025 campaign alive with a crucial victory over Sri Lanka in the Super Four stage at Zayed Cricket Stadium. Chasing 134, Pakistan overcame a mid-innings collapse to seal the win in 18 overs with five wickets down.
Batting first, Sri Lanka managed just 133 runs for eight wickets in their 20 overs. They lost early momentum after being reduced to 58/5 inside eight overs. Kamindu Mendis, with his third T20I half-century, provided some resistance alongside Chamika Karunaratne, but the total remained modest. For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi struck twice in the Powerplay, while Abrar Ahmed dominated the middle overs with a miserly spell of 1/8 from four overs.
When Sri Lanka threatened a recovery, Dushmantha Chameera broke a key partnership. However, Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat counter-attacked effectively, especially against Wanindu Hasaranga, turning the contest firmly in Pakistan’s favor.
In pursuit of 134, Sahibzada Farhan gave Pakistan a strong start with aggressive stroke play, even as Fakhar Zaman struggled after a blow to the head. A brief collapse left them at 57/4, but with little scoreboard pressure, the chase was always manageable. Nawaz and Talat guided Pakistan home confidently, ending their losing streak against Sri Lanka in this format after five consecutive defeats.
This win not only boosts Pakistan’s chances in the Super Four but also puts pressure on Sri Lanka, who now face an uphill battle after suffering two back-to-back losses.