Asia Cup 2025: Who said what? after SL vs PAK Super 4 match 3

Pakistan produced an all-round performance to beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in their 4 clash of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday. Chasing 134, Pakistan crossed the finish line with 12 balls to spare, riding on a match-winning stand between Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz after losing early wickets.

Sri Lanka, asked to bat first, struggled to find rhythm in their innings. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early, removing Kusal Mendis for a duck and Pathum Nissanka soon after. Kusal Perera’s brief cameo was ended by Haris Rauf, while captain Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka fell in quick succession, leaving Sri Lanka in deep trouble. Kamindu Mendis offered resistance with a well-made 50 off 44 balls, but with little support apart from Wanindu Hasaranga (15) and Chamika Karunaratne (17*), Sri Lanka were restricted to 133/8 in 20 overs. Afridi starred with 3/28, Hussain Talat chipped in with two key strikes, and Abrar Ahmed’s spell of 4-0-8-0 built crucial pressure.

In reply, Pakistan started briskly with Sahibzada Farhan’s 24 off 15 balls and Fakhar Zaman’s 17, but both fell to Maheesh Theekshana in the Powerplay. Hasaranga’s double strike then reduced Pakistan to 57/4, raising Sri Lanka’s hopes. However, Hussain Talat (32 off 30) and Mohammad Nawaz (38* off 24) steadied the chase with a 58-run partnership. Nawaz’s clean hitting in the final overs sealed victory, as Pakistan reached 138/5 in 18 overs.

SL vs PAK: Who Said What?

Hussain Talat (Player of the Match):

It is difficult as it is hot. The conditions were not easy. I took my time. The conditions don't allow you to go full fledged even if you want to play aggressive cricket. The captain and coach talked to me. The plan was go to and attack. But I backed my gut feeling. I wanted to take some time and then felt the boundaries will come. There was a lot of humidity. My energy was low. At the end, we decided he will go for the big shots. I was working on my bowling quite a lot with my bowling coach. I had to back my plan B. If I bowl two good overs, I knew my team will benefit.

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Salman Agha (Pakistan Captain):

I always smile. Can't say it is a perfect game. We lost four wickets in 3 overs. Apart from that, it was a perfect game. We need to stop these. Our fielding coach has been working really hard with him. We have named him Rockstar. Our players have been doing extra on the field. Shaheen has been bowling really well. He is an asset for us. He is a match-winner. We play so many all-rounders as the game nowadays demands that. I know Talat for several years. Really happy for him. Nawaz as a batter has so much potential. Hope both can continue. Abrar has been bowling well. Whenever we are in a difficult situation, I go to him. Hope he can continue like this for many more seasons for Pakistan.

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka Captain):

If you lose 5 wickets before the 10th over, it will be hard. The surface was good. They bowled and fielded really well in the first 8-9 overs. We just scored 133. But we didn't give up and fought really hard. Hasaranga is a super star in white ball cricket.