Pakistan Beats Sri Lanka by Five Wickets in Asia Cup Super Four Clash
Abu Dhabi, Asia Cup 2024 – Pakistan strengthened their Asia Cup 2024 final hopes with a thrilling five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.
Chasing a modest target of 134, Pakistan found themselves in trouble at 80-5 following a shaky start. However, a crucial 58-run partnership between Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat revived their innings and guided them to victory with 12 balls remaining.
Nawaz and Talat Steer Pakistan Home
Mohammad Nawaz played a match-winning innings, scoring 38 not out off 24 balls, while Hussain Talat remained unbeaten on 32. Needing 46 runs from 40 balls, Nawaz quickly put pressure on Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga, hitting consecutive boundaries and turning the chase in Pakistan’s favor. Talat continued the momentum with two more boundaries in the 17th over.
The pair’s aggressive batting transformed the equation from 26 runs needed from 24 balls to just 14 from 18, before Nawaz capped the win with three towering sixes.
Shaheen Afridi Shines With the Ball
Earlier, Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to 133-8 in 20 overs, thanks to an impressive performance from left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, who took 3-28.
Sri Lanka’s innings started positively with 53 runs in the powerplay, but they lost key wickets, including Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka in consecutive deliveries in the eighth over. Kamindu Mendis top-scored with 50, yet Shaheen Afridi’s timely dismissal in the penultimate over prevented a late surge.
Implications for the Super Four
This win keeps Pakistan in strong contention for the Asia Cup final. While a defeat would not have eliminated them, it would have made progression reliant on other results — a situation now facing Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, India and Bangladesh, both winners in their opening Super Four matches, face off in Dubai on Wednesday. The top two teams in the Super Four stage will compete for Sunday’s Asia Cup fin