The recent Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi delivered more than just cricketing action – it became an unforgettable spectacle of on-field theatrics. A captivating ‘celebration war’ erupted between star spinners Abrar Ahmed and Wanindu Hasaranga, leaving fans spellbound by their playful yet intense exchanges.
The drama kicked off in the 13th over of the first innings when Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed outsmarted Hasaranga with a beautifully bowled googly. As the Sri Lankan batsman was dismissed attempting a slog sweep, Abrar seized his moment, performing a cheeky imitation of Hasaranga’s signature crossed-arms celebration. Abrar even glanced at his teammates, seemingly seeking approval for his rendition of the iconic move.
But Hasaranga is not one to back down. In a brilliant display of flair during the second half of the match, the Sri Lankan spinner made his spectacular comeback. He first stunned everyone with a breathtaking one-handed diving catch to send Fakhar Zaman back to the pavilion. True to his word, Hasaranga then mimicked Abrar’s earlier send-off, a move Abrar had notably used against Shubman Gill in a previous Champions Trophy clash. The crowd erupted moments later when Saim Ayub became his next victim, and Hasaranga, with a knowing smile, repeated the celebration, even earning a grin from Abrar himself in the dugout.
Amidst this theatrical exchange, the match itself saw Pakistan bowl first after winning the toss, limiting Sri Lanka to a modest 133 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, ably supported by Haris Rauf and Hussain Talat, who each bagged two. Despite his early dismissal, Hasaranga’s energetic fielding and batting added significant fight to Sri Lanka’s performance. Pakistan’s chase was a masterclass in composure. Hussain Talat emerged as the hero of the day, delivering an outstanding all-round performance with an unbeaten 32 runs and two crucial wickets. His efforts steered Pakistan to a convincing five-wicket victory, reigniting their Asia Cup aspirations. This win, coming after a recent defeat to India, sets the stage for a critical Super Four encounter against Bangladesh on Thursday.