Early blow for Sri Lanka. Shaheen Afridi struck in the 2nd ball of the first over of the Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Match 3 on September 23 at the Dubai International Stadium. A soft dismissal for Sri Lanka. 

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha chose to field first after winning the toss. His decision proved on point when Afridi took the wicket early, in the very first over of the game. It was not among the pitcher's best deliveries to clinch the batter. The ball was on a fuller length, around the middle, and off. Sri Lanka opener Kusal Mendis flicked the ball on the leg side. The connection was good, and the ball was travelling with good speed, but unfortunately, the batter did not find the gap. The momentum of the ball paused as it went straight to the fielder at mid-wicket, where Hussain Talat took it. It was a routine catch for the fielder. Kusal departed with a golden duck; Sri Lanka was 1/1. 

It is a must-win match for both Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In their previous matches, Sri Lanka lost against Bangladesh, and Pakistan was outclassed by India, which makes today's match a must-win for both teams. 

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Watch the dismissal here

Shaheen Shah Afridi in the first over 🦅 pic.twitter.com/vEfImrcode

— PCT Replays 2.0 (@ReplaysPCT) September 23, 2025

During the India vs. Pakistan match, Afridi fared the worst against India opener Abhishek Sharma. In that match, Afridi started off the first over of the second innings by conceding an over boundary. 

Playing XIs:

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Agha (C), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Haris (WK), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne (in place of Kamil Mishara), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana (in place of Maheesh Theekshana), Dushmantha Chameera, and Nuwan Thushara.