The win in Abu Dhabi sends Pakistan second on the Tremendous Fours factors desk whereas Sri Lanka are all however out.
Revealed On 23 Sep 2025
Pakistan have stored alive their hopes of qualifying for the ultimate of the T20 Asia Cup 2025 with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.
Each groups went into the essential Tremendous Fours match understanding a loss within the sport on Tuesday would put them on the verge of elimination from the regional cricket event hosted by the United Arab Emirates.
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Pakistan started their chase of 134 in near-perfect method when openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman shared a 45-run partnership.
Farhan, particularly, was the extra belligerent of the 2 as he scored 24 runs off 15 balls earlier than falling to the off-break bowling of Maheesh Theekshana within the sixth over.
Zaman, who was hit on the pinnacle by a bouncer from Dushmantha Chameera within the first over, was not his regular quick-scoring self and adopted Farhan two balls later when his tried slog by way of the covers was caught brilliantly by a diving Wanindu Hasaranga.
After Theekshana’s double-wicket over, it was leg-spin bowler Hasaranga who returned with the ball in hand to hang-out Pakistan. He took one wicket apiece in his first and second overs as Pakistan’s procession continued.
Saim Ayub, Salman Agha and Mohammed Haris have been dismissed in fast succession by Hasaranga and Chameera, leaving the 2012 Asian champions in a difficult spot and 54 runs away from victory.
It was then all the way down to all-rounders Hussain Talat, whose batting towards India was closely criticised, and Muhammad Nawaz to take Pakistan house towards the skilful Sri Lankan bowling assault.
Talat scored 32 off 20 to calm Pakistan’s nerves. On the different finish, Nawaz hit 38 off 24 and ended the run chase with two enormous sixes off Chameera to take Pakistan house with two overs to spare.
Earlier, Pakistan’s choice to bowl first paid off virtually immediately when Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled out Kusal Mendis on the second ball of the match.
He then dismissed Sri Lanka’s main run scorer, Pathum Nissanka, in his second over to go away the six-time champions reeling.
Kusal Perera and captain Charith Asalanka put collectively a short partnership earlier than their dismissals.
Kamindu Mendis, batting at quantity 5, revived Sri Lanka’s innings with a 44-ball fifty and helped them submit 133-8 in 20 overs.
Afridi, who hasn’t been at his wicket-taking greatest, was the choose of Pakistan’s bowlers as he took 3-28 in his 4 overs.
Fellow pacer Haris Rauf and Talat additionally contributed with two wickets every.
The win not solely introduced Pakistan two much-needed factors but in addition a internet run price (NRR) enhance as they moved as much as second spot with an NRR of 0.226, second to India’s 0.689.
Bangladesh slipped from second to 3rd and have an NRR of 0.121 whereas Sri Lanka have been pushed nearer to elimination with an NRR of -0.59 and 0 factors.
They may now hope that Bangladesh beat each India (on Wednesday) and Pakistan (on Thursday) by large margins. Sri Lanka would then hope to beat holders India by an infinite margin on Friday and take the second finalist’s spot.
For Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, the equation is far less complicated as a second win for any of the 2 groups would see them by way of to the ultimate on Sunday.
