Pakistan secured a thrilling 5-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match on Tuesday, September 23, at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Dubai. Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz’s unbeaten 58-run partnership turned the game as they chased 134 in 18 overs.
Openers Sahibzada Farhan (24 off 15) and Fakhar Zaman (17 off 19) gave Pakistan a strong start with 45 runs in 5.3 overs before Maheesh Theekshana struck, dismissing both. Pakistan then slipped to 57-4 after losing Saim Ayub (2) and captain Salman Ali Agha (5). Mohammad Haris’s 13 runs brought the score to 80-5. Talat (32* off 30) and Nawaz (38* off 24, including three sixes) calmly sealed the chase with skill and composure.
.@mnawaz94 seals it in style with three sixes! 💥
Pakistan clinch victory over Sri Lanka by five wickets 🏏#PAKvSL | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/aFxXB6FLLX
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 23, 2025Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 133-8. Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spell of 3-24 shook Sri Lanka early, dismissing Kusal Mendis (0) and Pathum Nissanka. Haris Rauf and Talat took two wickets each, leaving Sri Lanka at 58-5. Kamindu Mendis’s gritty 50 off 44 balls kept their hopes alive.
Hussain Talat shone with both bat and ball, earning praise, while Shaheen Afridi’s early wickets set the tone. Nawaz’s late hitting, including back-to-back sixes, clinched the win. Sri Lanka’s Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga took two wickets each but could not stop Pakistan.
This win boosts Pakistan’s chances for the Asia Cup final. They must next beat Bangladesh and hope India defeats Bangladesh as well. Sri Lanka faces a tougher path, relying on net run rate to advance.
The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka clash was a high-stakes battle. Pakistan’s recovery from 80-5 showed great resilience. Talat and Nawaz’s partnership thrilled fans and kept Pakistan in the hunt for the final.
