Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Super Four, Match 3 (A2 vs B1) – Asia Cup 2025 (23 September, Abu Dhabi)

In a crucial Super Four match, Pakistan faced Sri Lanka needing a win to keep their final hopes alive, while Sri Lanka looked to bounce back after earlier setbacks. The contest at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium saw twists, momentum shifts, and a battle of nerves in the chase.

Match Summary

Here’s a concise look at the two innings, key contributions, and the final verdict.

Sri Lanka Innings: 133/8 in 20 overs

• Kamindu Mendis top-scored with 50 off 44 balls, anchoring a fightback after early losses.
• Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals, unable to build large partnerships.

Pakistan Innings: 138/5 in 18.0 overs

• Mohammad Nawaz played a decisive role, smashing 38 off 24 balls with timely aggression.
• Hussain Talat also chipped in with 32 off 30, and earlier contributed with the ball (2/18) to keep Sri Lanka’s total in check.
• Shaheen Afridi was Pakistan’s standout bowler, taking 3/28 to derail the Sri Lankan chase.

Result: Pakistan won by 5 wickets, achieving the chase in 18 overs.

Hussain Talat was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round impact.

Key Match Stats

Here are the pivotal numbers that defined the match:

Key Highlights

This section focuses on the turning points and decisive moments that shaped the result of the game.

• Sri Lanka’s innings never recovered fully from early wickets; while Mendis offered resistance, the lack of support and consistent breakthroughs by Pakistan killed momentum.
• Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi, struck at crucial junctures, preventing Sri Lanka from setting a big total.
• In the chase, Nawaz’s aggressive acceleration and Talat’s steady innings tilted the momentum clearly in Pakistan’s favor.
• Sri Lanka’s spinners, especially Hasaranga, struggled to contain the flow of runs; in one crucial over, Sri Lanka leaked boundaries that shifted the match.
• Fielding lapses and dropped chances from Sri Lanka also contributed to letting Pakistan off the hook in parts.

Conclusion

Pakistan delivered when it mattered most. The balance of their attack, the timely aggression from Nawaz and Talat, and Afridi’s incisive bowling were enough to chase down the target comfortably well before the full 20 overs. For Sri Lanka, Mendis’s fifty was commendable, but the rest of the batting failed to build on it, and their bowlers could not respond under pressure. This result keeps Pakistan alive for the final spot, while Sri Lanka’s hopes now hang by a thread.

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