Following Pakistan’s five-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four, captain Salman Agha emphatically praised Shaheen Shah Afridi as an invaluable “asset” and a “match-winner” for the team. This crucial victory not only reinvigorated Pakistan’s tournament journey but also maintained the exciting prospect of an India vs. Pakistan final.
Pakistan’s bowling unit effectively restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 133/8. Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had a quiet outing against India previously, spearheaded the attack with a brilliant spell, taking three wickets for just 28 runs. Support came from Hussain Talat (2/18) and Haris Rauf (2/37), while Kamindu Mendis bravely anchored Sri Lanka’s innings with a valiant 50 off 44 deliveries.
In pursuit of the target, Pakistan began confidently, with Sahibzada Farhan (24) and Fakhar Zaman (17) forging a 45-run opening stand. However, their innings suffered a dramatic collapse, slumping to 80/5, largely due to the efforts of Wanindu Hasaranga (2/27) and Maheesh Theekshana (2/24). Just as Sri Lanka sniffed an unlikely upset, a determined Mohammed Nawaz (38* off 24 balls) and Hussain Talat (32* off 30 balls) formed a resilient 58-run partnership for the sixth wicket, steering Pakistan to victory with two overs remaining.
Salman Agha candidly acknowledged that the match wasn’t without its flaws. He stated, “I can’t truly call it a perfect game; we lost four crucial wickets in just three overs. However, beyond that brief collapse, our performance was indeed exceptional.” He then went on to commend the team’s dedicated fielding coach, Shane McDermott, affectionately nicknamed “Rockstar,” for his hard work. Agha reiterated his high praise for Shaheen Afridi, emphasizing, “Shaheen has been bowling brilliantly. He’s an invaluable asset and a genuine match-winner for us.”
Agha further lauded the efforts of Nawaz and Talat, remarking, “Nawaz possesses immense potential as a batsman; I sincerely hope both of them continue their excellent form. I’ve known Talat for many years, and I’m incredibly pleased for him.” He also highlighted Abrar’s consistent bowling, noting, “Abrar always steps up when we find ourselves in a tight spot.”
Sri Lanka’s captain, Charith Asalanka, expressed disappointment over his team’s early batting collapse. “Losing five wickets before the tenth over makes it incredibly challenging to recover,” he conceded, while also acknowledging the good playing surface and Pakistan’s strong bowling and fielding in the initial overs. Despite the loss, Asalanka found silver linings, commending Kamindu Mendis for his half-century and Wanindu Hasaranga for his impactful all-round performance.
This victory propelled Pakistan to second position in the Super Fours standings with two points. Conversely, Sri Lanka now sits at the bottom, having suffered two defeats. The race for the final remains intensely competitive, with India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh all still vying for a spot.