In a high-stakes Super 4 match in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan clinched a thrilling five-wicket victory against Sri Lanka, narrowly surviving a formidable bowling performance from Wanindu Hasaranga. Chasing a modest target of 134, Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position but ultimately reached 138 for five, keeping their hopes alive in the Asia Cup.
The batting conditions proved challenging, yet Pakistan’s openers adopted an aggressive approach from the start. Sahibzada Farhan contributed a brisk 24 runs, compensating for a cautious beginning by Fakhar Zaman, who scored 17 off 19 balls. Farhan’s innings included a flurry of boundaries, with a powerful sequence of 6, 6, 4 against pacer Nuwan Thushara.
Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana made the first breakthrough in the sixth over, dismissing Farhan. He was soon followed by Zaman, who had earlier taken a blow to the helmet from Dushmantha Chameera. The momentum then shifted dramatically as Wanindu Hasaranga took center stage. With a fiery spell, Hasaranga claimed the wickets of Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha, the latter falling to a spectacular ground-level catch at mid-off. His delivery that shattered Ayub’s stumps was a masterclass in subtle seam movement. In a cheeky move, Hasaranga mimicked Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed’s hands-on-chest celebration after both dismissals, in response to earlier on-field banter.
With Pakistan reeling at 80 for five, the match hung delicately in the balance, still needing 54 runs. However, Hussain Talat (32* off 30 balls) and Mohammad Nawaz (38* off 24 balls) stepped up with remarkable composure. Their partnership calmly navigated the pressure, guiding Pakistan to a tense but decisive victory with two overs to spare.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan’s pacers dominated, restricting the Sri Lankan lineup to 133 for eight. Despite an elegant half-century from Kamindu Mendis, Sri Lanka suffered an early collapse. In-form batsmen Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka departed cheaply, with Shaheen Shah Afridi making the initial impact by trapping Mendis and then Nissanka. Wicketkeeper Haris and Talat completed the crucial dismissals.
Skipper Charith Asalanka and Kusal Perera attempted a brief recovery with a 25-run partnership. However, Perera was soon dismissed by a well-judged diving catch from Faheem Ashraf. The situation worsened for Sri Lanka in the eighth over as Talat and Rauf removed Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka in quick succession, leaving them struggling at 58 for five.
Kamindu Mendis’ determined fifty, coupled with a 43-run partnership with Chamika Karunaratne, helped Sri Lanka cross the 100-run mark. Yet, their total proved insufficient to truly challenge Pakistan, who demonstrated resilience and composure to secure a vital win and keep their tournament hopes alive.