Post by : Raman

Abu Dhabi: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the Asia Cup Super 4 match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Tuesday, keeping their hopes of reaching the final alive while pushing Sri Lanka close to elimination. Chasing a target of 134 runs, Pakistan reached the score with 12 balls to spare.

Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz played a match-winning role, adding a crucial 58-run partnership for the sixth wicket in just 41 balls. Talat, who scored an unbeaten 32 runs and also took two key wickets, was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance. Shaheen Shah Afridi also shone with the ball, taking three important wickets to restrict Sri Lanka.

Batting first, Sri Lanka managed only 133 for eight in their 20 overs. Kamindu Mendis was the top scorer with a fighting 50 off 44 balls, but Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the innings. Early strikes from Shaheen Afridi and disciplined bowling from the pacers kept Sri Lanka under pressure. A sudden collapse in the eighth over further weakened the defending champions.

Pakistan’s chase began steadily with Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan providing a solid start. However, a middle-order collapse left the team struggling at 71 for four in ten overs. The pressure was lifted when Talat and Nawaz built their partnership, punishing the Sri Lankan bowlers for loose deliveries and guiding Pakistan to victory.

Sri Lanka, who were unbeaten in the group stage, have now lost two consecutive matches in the Super 4s—first to Bangladesh and now to Pakistan. Their chances of making the final are slim and now depend on India losing all of their remaining games, which looks unlikely.

Pakistan will play Bangladesh in their last Super 4 match on Friday, while Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup hopes hang by a thread.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup, Asia Cup Super 4, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Asia Cup hopes, Hussain Talat Player of the Match