The win in Abu Dhabi sends Pakistan second on the Super Fours points table while Sri Lanka are all but out.Published On 23 Sep 202523 Sep 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2SharePakistan have kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the final of the T20 Asia Cup 2025 with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.Both teams went into the crucial Super Fours match knowing a loss in the game on Tuesday would put them on the verge of elimination from the regional cricket tournament hosted by the United Arab Emirates.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listPakistan began their chase of 134 in near-perfect manner when openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman shared a 45-run partnership.Farhan, in particular, was the more belligerent of the two as he scored 24 runs off 15 balls before falling to the off-break bowling of Maheesh Theekshana in the sixth over.Zaman, who was hit on the head by a bouncer from Dushmantha Chameera in the first over, was not his usual quick-scoring self and followed Farhan two balls later when his attempted slog through the covers was caught brilliantly by a diving Wanindu Hasaranga.After Theekshana’s double-wicket over, it was leg-spin bowler Hasaranga who returned with the ball in hand to haunt Pakistan. He took one wicket apiece in his first and second overs as Pakistan’s procession continued.Saim Ayub, Salman Agha and Mohammed Haris were dismissed in quick succession by Hasaranga and Chameera, leaving the 2012 Asian champions in a tricky spot and 54 runs away from victory.It was then down to all-rounders Hussain Talat, whose batting against India was heavily criticised, and Muhammad Nawaz to take Pakistan home against the skilful Sri Lankan bowling attack.Talat scored 32 off 20 to calm Pakistan’s nerves. At the other end, Nawaz hit 38 off 24 and ended the run chase with two huge sixes off Chameera to take Pakistan home with two overs to spare. Pakistan’s fans celebrate their team’s win [Sajjad Hussain/AFP]Earlier, Pakistan’s decision to bowl first paid off almost instantly when Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled out Kusal Mendis on the second ball of the match. Advertisement He then dismissed Sri Lanka’s leading run scorer, Pathum Nissanka, in his second over to leave the six-time champions reeling.Kusal Perera and captain Charith Asalanka put together a brief partnership before their dismissals.Kamindu Mendis, batting at number five, revived Sri Lanka’s innings with a 44-ball fifty and helped them post 133-8 in 20 overs.Afridi, who hasn’t been at his wicket-taking best, was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers as he took 3-28 in his four overs.Fellow pacer Haris Rauf and Talat also contributed with two wickets each. …
