The cricketing rivalry between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has delivered countless memorable clashes, and their recent meeting in the Asia Cup Super Four 2025 was no exception. Played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the match turned into a thrilling contest, where Pakistan chased down a tricky total in style to keep their campaign alive. Fans were treated to a mix of disciplined bowling, a dramatic collapse, and a stunning finish that reminded everyone why this rivalry is so special.
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Sri Lanka’s Struggle with the Bat
Sri Lanka chose to bat first after winning the toss, hoping to post a defendable score under the lights. However, their innings never truly clicked. They finished at 133 for 8 in 20 overs, a total that looked competitive at first but fell short against Pakistan’s power-hitters.
The innings was built almost single-handedly by Kamindu Mendis, who scored a patient 50 off 44 balls. He anchored one end while the other batters failed to build lasting partnerships. Charith Asalanka briefly supported him with 20 runs, but the rest of the batting order struggled against Pakistan’s pace attack.
Pakistan’s bowlers executed their plans perfectly:
- Shaheen Shah Afridi once again proved why he is considered one of the most lethal new-ball bowlers in the world. He ripped through Sri Lanka’s top order, claiming 3 for 28.
- Haris Rauf bowled with pace and accuracy, ensuring runs were hard to come by in the middle overs.
- Abrar Ahmed’s spin added variety, forcing the batters into errors.
The pressure was constant. Sri Lanka reached only 62 for 3 at the halfway stage, and though Mendis brought up his fifty, wickets kept tumbling around him. In the last five overs, they managed only 35 runs, leaving their bowlers with too little to defend.
Pakistan’s Chase – From Comfort to Collapse
Chasing 134, Pakistan began confidently. Sahibzada Farhan smashed 24 from 16 balls, providing the perfect platform with aggressive strokeplay in the powerplay. His boundaries set the tone, and alongside Fakhar Zaman (17), Pakistan appeared to be cruising.
But cricket has a way of turning quickly. Sri Lanka’s spinners, especially Wanindu Hasaranga, dragged the game back. Pakistan suddenly found themselves in trouble at 71 for 4, losing three wickets in quick succession. The middle-order collapse gave Sri Lanka a real chance of pulling off an upset.
At this point, the match seemed balanced. Sri Lanka needed one or two more breakthroughs, while Pakistan required calm heads to rebuild.
Nawaz and Talat – Heroes Under Pressure
Cometh the hour, cometh the men. Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz turned the game decisively in Pakistan’s favor with a remarkable partnership.
- Talat played the role of stabilizer, scoring a composed 32 not out from 30 balls. His shot selection was sensible, rotating the strike and waiting for the loose deliveries.
- Nawaz, on the other hand, decided the contest with brute force. His 38 off just 24 deliveries included three towering sixes in the final over bowled by Dushmantha Chameera.
The highlight was Nawaz’s finishing strike — a massive six over long-on that sealed the win and sent the Pakistan dugout into celebrations.
Turning Points of the Match
- Shaheen Afridi’s Early Breakthroughs – His three-wicket burst set the tone and restricted Sri Lanka to a modest total.
- Pakistan’s Middle-Order Collapse – From 50 for 1 to 71 for 4, the chase suddenly looked shaky.
- Talat and Nawaz Partnership – Their calm yet aggressive batting took the game away from Sri Lanka.
- Death Over Assault – Nawaz’s power-hitting in the 18th over turned the match from tense to comfortable.
Star Performers
- Hussain Talat: Unbeaten 32 and 2 wickets — awarded Player of the Match.
- Mohammad Nawaz: Explosive 38* off 24 balls that finished the job.
- Shaheen Afridi: Match-defining bowling figures of 3 for 28.
For Sri Lanka, Kamindu Mendis’s half-century was the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing performance.
What This Means for the Tournament
This victory kept Pakistan alive in the Asia Cup 2025 race. The win boosted their net run rate and morale, setting up an exciting finish to the Super Four stage.
For Sri Lanka, however, the defeat was crushing. Having already lost their earlier fixture, this second consecutive defeat knocked them out of contention for the final. Their batting frailties against quality pace once again came to the surface, and unless they rebuild their middle order, consistency will remain a challenge.
Reactions After the Match
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha admitted that the collapse worried him but praised the team’s resilience: “We lost 4 wickets in 3 overs, but apart from that, it was nearly perfect. The way Nawaz and Talat finished under pressure shows the depth we have.”
Sri Lanka’s captain expressed disappointment at his team’s batting display, noting that partnerships were missing and the bowlers had too little to defend.
Conclusion
The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup Super Four 2025 clash turned into a memorable game of fluctuating fortunes. Pakistan’s pace attack set the tone, their batting stumbled, but Nawaz and Talat ensured a spectacular finish.
With this result, Pakistan stay in the hunt for the Asia Cup final, while Sri Lanka bow out with plenty to reflect on. For fans, it was yet another reminder of why this rivalry is one of the most entertaining in Asian cricket.
