In an error-strewn day for specialist batters, the level-headedness of all-rounders Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz saved the day as Pakistan clinched a nervy five-wicket win in opposition to Sri Lanka in a Tremendous 4 match of the Asia Cup on the Zayed Cricket Stadium right here on Tuesday.
Talat and Nawaz joined forces as Pakistan struggled at 80 for 5 and blunted the Lankans by concentrating on their strike weapon, Wanindu Hasaranga. The leg-spinner had his tail up after bamboozling Saim Ayub and skipper Salman Agha together with his googlies.
With Pakistan needing 47 from 42 balls with 5 wickets in hand, Nawaz collected consecutive fours in Hasaranga’s third over. Talat added two extra boundaries off Hasaranga’s remaining over to deflate the Islanders.
Pakistan sealed the win with Nawaz smashing three sixes off Dushmantha Chameera within the 18th over and stored its marketing campaign alive, leaving Sri Lanka on the mercy of different groups.
AS IT HAPPENED: PAK VS SL HIGHLIGHTS
Earlier, after electing to bowl, Pakistan’s tempo trio of Shaheen Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, and Haris Rauf utilised the bowling-friendly situations to rock Sri Lanka early. With the ball holding within the floor, Talat’s mild medium tempo additionally got here in useful after the sector unfold, decreasing Sri Lanka to 58 for 5 inside eight overs.
Afridi accounted for openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, whereas Rauf despatched Kusal Perera again within the remaining over of the fielding restrictions. Talat’s lack of tempo was a blessing in disguise for Pakistan because it resulted in Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka perishing off consecutive deliveries.
Kamindu Mendis and Hasaranga went into injury management mode, including 22 runs off 28 balls, earlier than the latter was bowled by Abrar Ahmed’s googly.
Kamindu scratched round earlier than reaching his half-century off 43 balls with a miscued pull, and that encapsulated Sri Lanka’s innings, which by no means hit the next gear.
The scores
Sri Lanka 133/8 in 20 overs (Kamindu Mendis 50, Shaheen Afridi 3/28) misplaced to Pakistan 138/5 in 18 overs (Hussain Talat 32 n.o., Mohammad Nawaz 38 n.o., Maheesh Theekshana 2/24, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/27). Toss: Pakistan.
Printed on Sep 24, 2025