The victory in Abu Dhabi sends Pakistan second at the Super Force Points table while Sri Lanka is mostly out.
Released on September 23, 2025
Pakistan continues to make use of its hopes to win Sri Lanka by five wickets in Abu Dhabi and compete in the final of the T20 Asian Cup 2025.
Both teams entered the key Super Four match as their losses on Tuesday turned to a crisis of elimination from the regional cricket tournament hosted by the UAE.
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Pakistan began tracking 134 in a near-perfect manner when openers Sabizada Fahan and Fahar Zaman shared 45 partnerships.
Farhan in particular was more belligerent of the two as he scored 24 runs from 15 balls before falling into Mahesh Tekshana’s off-break bowling in the sixth.
Zaman first hit the head on Dushmantha Chamela’s guard, but not his usual quick-scoring self, but followed by two balls by Farhan as the slog, who tried the cover, was brilliantly caught by diving Wanindu Hasaranga.
After a double wicket from Theekshana, it was the leg spin bowler Hasaranga who returned with the ball in his hand to haunt Pakistan. As the Pakistani procession continued, he took one wicket in the first and second overs.
Saim Ayub, Salman Agha and Mohammed Haris were quickly fired back-to-back by Hasaranga and Chameera, leaving the 2012 Asian champion in a tricky place, leaving 54 out of victory.
It was criticized by all-around Hussein Tarat, who was heavily criticised for his blow against India, and Muhammad Nawaz for bringing Pakistan home for a clever Sri Lankan bowling attack.
Tarat won 32 out of 20 to calm the nerves of Pakistan. On the other end, Nawaz hit 24-38 and finished the run chase with two huge sixes from Chamera, bringing Pakistan home in two overs.
Previously, the Pakistan bowl decision paid off almost immediately when Shahhane Shah Afridi bowled Ksar Mendis on the second ball of the match.
He then rejected Sri Lanka’s leading ransoctor Pathom Nissanka, leaving the six-time champions winding up.
Kusal Perera and Captain Charith Asalanka put together a brief partnership before their firing.
Kamindu Mendis, batting on No. 5, revived Sri Lanka’s innings with 44 balls 50, helping him post 133-8 in 20 overs.
Afridi, who was not in the wicket take best, was a Pakistani bowler’s pick as he scored 3-28 in four overs.
Fellow pacers Harris Lauf and Tallatt also contributed with two wickets each.
This victory not only brought Pakistan two much needed points, but also increased net run rates (NRR) and moved to the second spot at India’s second NRR to 0.689.
Bangladesh slid from second to third, with an NRR of 0.121, while Sri Lanka was closer to elimination with an NRR of -0.59 and zero point.
They now hope that Bangladesh has defeated both India (Wednesday) and Pakistan (Thursday) with a big margin. Sri Lanka hoped to beat India with a big margin on Friday to win the second finalist spot.
For Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, the equation is much easier as one of the two teams will see their second victory through Sunday’s final.
