In their Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours match at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets thanks to an all-around performance.
Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz’s outstanding batting helped the green-clad men, who were chasing 134, reach the finish line with 12 balls remaining after losing early wickets.
Despite being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka’s innings lacked rhythm. Soon after, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis were taken out for a duck by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Haris Rauf interrupted Kusal Perera’s appearance, and captain Charith Asalanka soon followed. After this, Hussain Talat hit Dasun Shanaka with the first ball.
Kamindu Mendis, who led the innings with a fifty off forty-four balls, was the only one to put up a fight. His collaborations with Chamika Karunaratne (17*) and Wanindu Hasaranga (15) made sure Sri Lanka scored 133 for 8 in the 20 overs they were given. Abrar Ahmed was outstanding, giving up just eight runs in four overs, while Afridi’s 3 for 28 and Talat’s double strike were significant.
Sahibzada Farhan hit two sixes in a 15-ball 24 and Fakhar Zaman made 17 before both were dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana in the sixth over, setting the tone for Pakistan’s successful chase. Pakistan appeared to be in danger at 57 for 4 when Hasaranga added the wickets of captain Salman Agha and Saim Ayub.
When Hussain Talat and Muhammad Nawaz steadied the chase, the game changed. Nawaz scored an undefeated 38 off 24 balls, hitting three boundaries and three sixes, while Talat scored 32 off 30. Despite losing Mohammad Haris in the 12th over, their connection made sure Pakistan did not panic.
Talat hit a couple of boundaries off Hasaranga to shift the momentum back to Pakistan with 26 needed off the last four overs. Nawaz then virtually sealed the deal by hitting consecutive fours against Chameera and Thushara. Together, the two scored 58 runs to lead Pakistan to 138 for 5 in 18 overs.
Who Made What Remark?
Hussain Talat, the match’s MVP
It’s challenging because of the heat. The circumstances weren’t simple. I was slow. Even if you desire to play aggressive cricket, the circumstances prevent you from playing at your best. I spoke with the coach and captain. The strategy was to attack. But I trusted my instincts. I believed that the boundaries will arrive when I took some time. The humidity level was high. I had little energy. We ultimately agreed that he would target the big shots. I spent a lot of time honing my bowling technique with my bowling coach. I had to support my backup plan. I knew my team would gain if I bowled two good overs.
Pakistan’s Salman Agha (winning captain)
I’m always grinning. I can’t claim that the game is flawless. In three overs, we lost four wickets. It was a flawless game other from that. These must be stopped. He and our fielding coach have been putting in a lot of effort. He’s been given the name Rockstar. On the pitch, our players have been going above and beyond. Shaheen’s bowling has been excellent lately. He is useful to us. He can win a match. Because the modern game requires it, we play a lot of all-rounders. I have known Talat for a number of years. Very pleased for him. Nawaz has a lot of promise as a batter. I hope both can go on. Abrar’s bowling has been good lately. I turn to him whenever we find ourselves in a challenging circumstance. I hope he can play for Pakistan for many more seasons like this.
Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka (Captain Losing)
It will be difficult if you lose five wickets before the tenth over. It had a nice surface. During the first 8–9 overs, they bowled and fielded incredibly well. Our score was just 133. However, we persisted and put up a fierce fight. Hasaranga is a white ball cricket superstar.
India
