Abu Dhabi – Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in a close Super Four match at Abu Dhabi on Monday night. The win keeps Pakistan’s Asia Cup hopes alive after a thrilling chase that went down to the final over.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 133/8 | 20 overs | Lost by 5 wickets |
| Pakistan | 138/5 | 18 overs | Won with 12 balls remaining |
Venue: Abu Dhabi
Date: September 23, 2025
Tournament: Men’s T20 Asia Cup – Super Four Stage
Player of the Match: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)
Pakistan’s Chase Goes Down to Wire
Pakistan chased down Sri Lanka’s total with 12 balls to spare but the match was closer than the final margin suggests. They were struggling at 80/5 before Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat rescued the innings.
Nawaz hit three sixes in the final over bowled by Dushmantha Chameera to seal victory. The left-handed batsman finished unbeaten on 38 runs from 24 balls, striking at 158.33.
The crucial partnership between Nawaz and Talat was worth 58 runs from 41 balls. It came when Pakistan needed 54 runs from 54 balls with five wickets down.
Sri Lanka Sets Competitive Total
Sri Lanka posted 133/8 in their 20 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Kamindu Mendis top-scored with 50 runs from 44 balls, hitting eight boundaries.
The Sri Lankan innings never gained momentum due to regular wickets. Captain Dasun Shanaka was dismissed for a duck, his 14th in T20 internationals – a new record.
Pakistan’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout. Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi took 3/28 and was named Player of the Match for his bowling performance.
Key Partnerships and Performances
Pakistan’s Batting:
- Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat: 58 runs (41 balls)
- Nawaz finished the match with three consecutive sixes
Sri Lanka’s Bowling:
- Wanindu Hasaranga took 2/27 in four overs
- Dushmantha Chameera conceded 31 runs in four overs
Pakistan’s Bowling:
- Shaheen Shah Afridi led the attack with 3/28
- Controlled Sri Lanka’s scoring rate throughout the innings
Tournament Implications
The win gives Pakistan their first points in the Super Four stage. They remain in contention for the Asia Cup final but need favorable results in remaining matches.
Sri Lanka’s qualification chances are now slim. They must beat India in their next match and need Bangladesh to win both their remaining games. Net run rate will also play a crucial role.
The Super Four stage features four teams – Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh. The top two teams will advance to the final.
Top Performers
Pakistan:
- Mohammad Nawaz: 38* (24 balls, 3×4, 3×6) – Match-winning knock
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: 3/28 (4 overs) – Player of the Match
- Hussain Talat: 32 (30 balls, 4×4) – Crucial partnership
Sri Lanka:
- Kamindu Mendis: 50 (44 balls, 8×4) – Top scorer
- Wanindu Hasaranga: 15 (13 balls) + 2/27 – All-round performance
- Maheesh Theekshana: 2/24 (4 overs) – Best bowling figures
Conclusion
Pakistan showed great character to win from a difficult position at 80/5. Mohammad Nawaz’s explosive finish in the final over sealed a crucial victory that keeps their Asia Cup campaign alive.