Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka to Stay in Finals Race

Pakistan secured a thrilling five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2025, keeping their chances alive for a place in the final. Chasing a modest target of 134 on a tricky pitch, the Green Shirts crossed the line with 12 balls to spare, despite losing five wickets.

The chase began positively as openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman added 45 runs during the powerplay, but both fell to Maheesh Theekshana in the sixth over. Farhan scored 24 off 15 balls with two sixes and a four, while Fakhar contributed 17 runs from 19 deliveries.

Pakistan’s middle order struggled further when Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha in consecutive overs, reducing the team to 57/4 in just over eight overs.

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris and Hussain Talat added a 23-run partnership to steady the innings, but Haris was dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera in the 12th over.

With 58 runs required off 53 balls and the scoreboard reading 80/5, Mohammad Nawaz joined Talat to bat sensibly under pressure. Nawaz remained unbeaten on 38 from 24 balls, hitting three sixes and three fours, while Talat also stayed unbeaten on 32 off 30 deliveries, including four boundaries, steering Pakistan home.

For Sri Lanka, Theekshana and Hasaranga took two wickets each, while Chameera claimed one. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 133/8, led by Kamindu Mendis’s resilient 50 off 44 balls.

Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early, removing openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka. Hussain Talat further dented Sri Lanka’s innings with two wickets in his over, while Abrar Ahmed dismissed Kamindu late in the innings.

Shaheen was the standout bowler for Pakistan with figures of 3/28, supported by Haris Rauf and Talat, who took two wickets each, and Abrar Ahmed claiming one. The win keeps Pakistan in contention for the Asia Cup 2025 final, setting up a tense conclusion to the Super Fours stage.