Pakistan Edge Out Sri Lanka by 5 Wickets in Thrilling Asia Cup 2025 Encounter
Abu Dhabi, September 23, 2025 — Pakistan kept their Asia Cup 2025 campaign alive with a tense five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Super Four stage at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Chasing 134, Pakistan stumbled to 87/5 before an unbroken partnership between Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat sealed the contest in the 18th over.
First Innings: Sri Lanka’s Struggles with the Bat
Opting to bat after losing the toss, Sri Lanka found themselves in early trouble. Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi struck in his first spell, dismissing both openers inside the powerplay. Haris Rauf backed him with hostile bowling, reducing Sri Lanka to 35/3.
The middle order faltered against Pakistan’s disciplined attack. At one stage, Sri Lanka slumped to 58/5, unable to cope with the movement and bounce. Only Kamindu Mendis resisted, producing a fighting half-century (50 runs) to lift his side to a respectable total.
Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with a handy cameo, but wickets at regular intervals restricted Sri Lanka to 133/8 in 20 overs.
Pakistan’s best bowlers:
Shaheen Shah Afridi: 3/28
Haris Rauf: 2/25
Abrar Ahmed: economical spell in middle overs
Pakistan’s Chase: Collapse Followed by Calm
Chasing 134 looked straightforward, but Pakistan’s innings soon mirrored Sri Lanka’s struggles. Pathum Nissanka and Maheesh Theekshana exploited turn and bounce, reducing Pakistan to 45/3 inside eight overs.
When Babar Azam departed cheaply, followed by another quick strike from Hasaranga, Pakistan were in genuine danger at 87/5. The game tilted in Sri Lanka’s favor, and the pressure from a vocal Abu Dhabi crowd grew intense.
Nawaz & Talat: Heroes Under Pressure
Just when Pakistan seemed to falter, Hussain Talat steadied the innings with calm shot selection. Batting alongside him, Mohammad Nawaz unleashed a counter-attack in the death overs.
The duo stitched together an unbeaten 58-run stand off 41 balls. Nawaz’s fearless batting — highlighted by three towering sixes in the 18th over — shifted momentum decisively.
Pakistan reached 138/5 in 18 overs, winning with 12 balls to spare.
Key batting performances:
Mohammad Nawaz: 38* (match-winning cameo)
Hussain Talat: 32* (anchor role under pressure)
Statistical Snapshot
Team Innings Score
Sri Lanka 1st 133/8 20 overs
Pakistan 2nd 138/5 (won) 18 overs
Match Result: Pakistan won by 5 wickets
Turning Points
1. Shaheen’s Early Strikes
Pakistan’s left-arm quick dismantled Sri Lanka’s top order, removing both openers and setting the tone.
2. Mendis’ Recovery Effort
Kamindu Mendis’ composed fifty gave Sri Lanka a fighting chance after a collapse.
3. Pakistan’s Mini-Collapse
From 70/2 to 87/5, Pakistan lost three wickets quickly, giving Sri Lanka hope.
4. Nawaz’s Explosive Finish
His back-to-back sixes against Chameera in the 18th over effectively ended the contest.
Tactical Breakdown
Pakistan’s Bowling Plan: Full use of early swing and later squeezing runs with spinners worked perfectly.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Pressure: Hasaranga and Theekshana tightened the screws in the middle overs but lacked support at the death.
Batting Depth Matters: Pakistan’s lower-middle order proved the difference, whereas Sri Lanka’s tail failed to add crucial runs.
Player of the Match
Mohammad Nawaz was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 38 under pressure. His ability to clear boundaries at will in crunch moments turned a shaky chase into a comfortable finish.
Reactions
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha praised his team’s resilience: “The bowlers set it up for us. We stumbled in the chase but Nawaz and Talat showed character.”
Sri Lanka skipper admitted his side fell short with the bat: “We were 20 runs short. Mendis fought well but partnerships were missing.”
Impact on Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan’s qualification hopes: This victory keeps them in contention for a spot in the final. A win in their next Super Four clash could secure a berth.
Sri Lanka’s uphill battle: With consecutive defeats, Sri Lanka must now win big in remaining games and rely on net run rate to stay alive.
Crowd & Conditions
The Abu Dhabi surface offered early seam movement and later grip for spinners, making batting tricky. The evening dew slightly eased conditions for Pakistan’s chase. The stands were filled with green jerseys, and the Pakistani fans erupted as Nawaz sealed the match with a six.
Looking Ahead
Pakistan face Bangladesh next in another must-win clash. Their bowlers look sharp, but batting consistency remains a concern.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, need not just wins but big wins to compensate for their weak net run rate. Their batters must step up if they are to challenge for a spot in the final.
Final Word
The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2025 clash showcased the drama and unpredictability of T20 cricket. Pakistan looked shaky at 87/5 but held their nerves thanks to Nawaz’s power-hitting and Talat’s composure.
This thrilling win ensures Pakistan remain alive in the Asia Cup race, while Sri Lanka’s road gets tougher. With high-stakes encounters coming up, the competition promises more fireworks in the days ahead.
Sri Lanka: 133/8 (20 overs)
Pakistan: 138/5 (18 overs)
Result: Pakistan won by 5 wickets