Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the third Super-Four match of the 2025 Asia Cup on Tuesday, September 23, in Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Pakistan got off to a great start after deciding to bowl first, thanks to Shaheen Afridi’s double strikes during the powerplay. Kusal Perera and Charith Asalanka got started but lost their wickets in the sixth and ninth overs, respectively. Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka’s outstanding batsman in the last game against Bangladesh, perished for a golden duck.
Wanindu Hasaranga hit a few boundaries before getting dismissed in the 13th over. Sri Lanka have lost six wickets for 80 runs by this stage. Chamika Karunaratne and Kamindu Mendis scored a crucial 43-run partnership off 39 balls to propel Sri Lanka above the 120-run threshold. In the end, the Lankan Lions finished with 133/8. Kamindu top-scored with a 44-ball fifty. Shaheen was Pakistan’s top bowler, finishing with scores of 3/28. Meanwhile, Hussain Talat and Haris Rauf took two wickets each.
In response, Pakistan opened strongly, with the openers scoring 45 runs in the first six overs. However, Pakistan fell from 45/0 to 57/4 in the ninth over. Mohammad Haris also tried to deceive, being disqualified for an 11-ball 13.
Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat formed an undefeated partnership of 58 runs in 41 balls, demonstrating a high level of maturity. Pakistan cruised home in 18 overs, with five wickets in hand.
Key moments from SL vs PAK, Super Four, Match 15 of Asia Cup 2025:
1. Hussain Talat’s all-round brilliance floors Sri Lanka
Hussain Talat bowled three overs and used the sluggish conditions to his advantage. He finished with figures of 2/18 in his three overs. Talattook the important wickets of Asalanka and Shanaka off consecutive deliveries.
2. Mohammad Nawaz’ blitzkrieg take Pakistan home in a canter
Mohammad Nawaz didn’t get a chance to roll his arm over but he did provide the goods with the bat in hand. The southpaw came in to bat at a tricky stage with Pakistan reeling at 80/5 in 11.1 overs. However, he took the bull by the horns, playing counter-attacking cricket and this rattled the Sri Lankan bowlers. He finished unbeaten on 38 off 24 balls, belting three fours and as many sixes on a tough pitch to bat on.
📸:💚🇵🇰
Basit Ali” Mohammad Nawaz has been saving Pakistan for 40 years”
😂#PAKvSL | #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/mpP6pVw3ph
— 𝐅𝐚𝐧❥𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐳𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬🏏 (@Bobi_1A) September 23, 2025
💥 MATCH-WINNERS ALERT! 💥
Hussain Talat – 32* off 30
Muhammad Nawaz – 38* off 24These two sealed the game with sensational performances! 🙌🏏#Cricket #PakvsSL #AsiaCupT20 #Talat #Nawaz pic.twitter.com/ks2KcBZEgU
— Asia Voice 🎤 (@Asianewss) September 23, 2025
3. Wanindu Hasaranga gives Sri Lanka hope
Wanindu Hasaranga once again gave his best on the field but didn’t get much support from his teammates. The leg-spinner was introduced in the seventh over and he took just four balls to get rid of Salman Agha, bowling with a pearler. In the following over, he sent Salman Agha packing. Earlier in the game, his catch to dismiss Fakhar Zaman was fantastic. Abrar Ahmed had celebrated Hasaranga’s wicket by doing the latter’s celebration. The Sri Lankan all-rounder gave it back phenomenally, celebrating the wickets of Zaman and Saim Ayub in Abrar’s style.
In today’s episode of “𝘈𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰𝘸, 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘱…” 🤭
Watch the #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 from Sept 9-28, 7 PM onwards, LIVE on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/evBAkIIEyx
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 23, 2025
The wicket 🗿
The celebration 🗿🗿🗿Wanindu Hasaranga is giving it back with interest 🔥
Watch #PAKvSL LIVE NOW on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/sKVxNygeBK
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 23, 2025
India
