Sri Lanka placed a modest 134-run target for Pakistan on Tuesday in the crucial competition of the Super Fours phase of the Asia Cup 2025 in Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
First put in Bat, the defending champion managed to collect 133-8 in their assigned 20 overs despite the half century of Kamindu Mendis.
Sri Lanka started a shaky start of their innings when Shaheen Shah Afridi fired both openers – Kusal Mendis (Zero) and Pathum Nissanka (Acht) – in his first two overs.
The 2022 champions, however, were in a comfortable position at the end of the Batting PowerPlay because they had piled up 53 points, despite the losing another wicket.
But the decision of the Captain Salman Ali Agha van Pakistan to bring Hussain Talat in Sri Lanka to the rear, while the all-rounder skipped twice in its first, which brought the total to 58-5 in 7.3 overs.
After the malaise, Star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga (15) joined Kamindu in the middle for a careful 22-run partnership until he was cleared by Abrar Ahmed in the 13th.
Kamindu, on the other hand, stood firmly and then scored a fighting half century for Sri Lanka. He was fired by Shaheen in the penultimate over, shortly after he had collected the milestone.
The left -handed fittings for Sri Lanka with a brave 50 of 44 deliveries, which hit three four and two sixes.
Shaheen was the striking bowler for Pakistan and took three wickets for only 28 runs in his four overs, followed by Haris Rauf and Talat with two each, while Abrar switched into each other.
