Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 | Match Review & Highlights
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan: Turning Points and Match Analysis
The Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage has been unforgiving. After the group stage, the teams entering this round know that any slip could cost them a place in the the final. Sri Lanka and Pakistan entered this clash with bruised confidence: both had lost their earlier Super Four matches and needed a win to stay alive in the tournament.
For Pakistan, an emphatic performance was needed not just to win, but to boost their net run rate and morale. For Sri Lanka, the pressure was even greater — two defeats in this stage would leave their final hopes hanging by a thread. The match was set at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, where dew, pitch behavior, and clutch performances often tip the balance.
First Innings: Sri Lanka Bat First, Fight Back Late
Early Collapse & Recovery Attempts
Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a shaky start. Pakistan struck early, with Shaheen Shah Afridi removing Kusal Mendis in the second ball of the match, setting the tone. The momentum continued: Afridi also dismissed Pathum Nissanka soon after, leaving Sri Lanka in trouble. At that point, Sri Lanka were reeling, with top and middle order under pressure.
However, Sri Lanka recovered through the efforts of Kamindu Mendis, who anchored a fightback. He played a measured fifty, scoring at a decent tempo and helping Sri Lanka post a defendable total. His knock was crucial in providing the backbone to Sri Lanka’s innings. ESPN Cricinfo
Sri Lanka ended their innings at 133/8 in 20 overs. The spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga offered control and breakthroughs for Sri Lanka. But Shaheen remained the standout for Pakistan, finishing with 3 wickets for 28 runs.
Key Bowling Performers & Strategy
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Shaheen Afridi (3/28): As mentioned, he was the spearhead of Pakistan’s bowling attack. His ability to strike early and keep things tight was critical.
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Spin contributions: Theekshana picked up 2 wickets, and Hasaranga chipped in with 2/27 and was also active in the field with a catch, adding value beyond his bowling.
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Sri Lanka’s use of spin: Theekshana and Hasaranga were used to stem the flow of runs in the middle overs, and they succeeded to a degree in slowing Pakistan’s innings — especially during the period where Pakistan’s chase stalled.
Thus, Sri Lanka’s bowlers executed a balanced plan: attack early, protect the middle, and be aggressive late if needed. Yet, they fell short in consistently penetrating and curtailing the core of Pakistan’s chase.
Second Innings: Pakistan’s Rocky Chase & Gritty Finish
Bright Start, But Mid-Innings Jitters
Chasing 134 should have been well within reach for Pakistan, but the match turned more challenging than expected.
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Openers Sahibzada Farhan & Fakhar Zaman: They set a steady platform with a 45-run opening partnership. Farhan, particularly, looked positive with 24 off 15 balls before falling to Theekshana. Fakhar too got a life early on after being hit on the head by a bouncer from Dushmantha Chameera, but he couldn’t capitalize fully, departing soon after.
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However, after losing these two, Pakistan’s middle order stumbled. Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, and Mohammad Haris were out in quick succession. It allowed Sri Lanka back into the contest and significantly raised tension.
At one stage, Pakistan’s chase looked shaky, with momentum shifting to Sri Lanka, largely thanks to spin and tight lines from Theekshana and Hasaranga.
The Talat-Nawaz Rescue Mission
In the face of pressure, two all-rounders stepped up:
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Hussain Talat: Calm under duress, he contributed 32 off 20 balls*, absorbing pressure and building partnerships.
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Mohammad Nawaz: Came in late and took charge, smashing 38 off 24 balls*. His finishing touches were crucial, including two massive sixes off Chameera to seal victory.
They combined to steer Pakistan home, finishing the chase in 18 overs for 5 wickets.
Turning Points & Match-Defining Moments
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The collapse: Pakistan losing 3–4 wickets in rapid succession (Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Mohammad Haris) nearly gave Sri Lanka a foothold. It was a moment when the match almost slipped away.
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Talat’s composure: While wickets fell around him, Talat held one end and kept the required run rate in check, setting the stage for Nawaz.
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Nawaz’s finishing: With maturity and intention, Nawaz converted pressure into opportunity — particularly in the last over, lofting a slower Chameera delivery over long-on for six to finish the match.
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Sri Lankan spells: Theekshana’s 2/24 and Hasaranga’s 2/27 kept Pakistan under duress and made the chase interesting. Their control over the middle overs was pivotal to the tension.
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Fielding & extras: Sri Lanka’s fielding, catching, and control of extras weren’t enough to completely stifle Pakistan, who found ways to rotate, sneak boundaries, and capitalized on pressure phases.
Final Score & Match Summary
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Sri Lanka: 133/8 in 20 overs
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Pakistan: 138/5 in 18 overs
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Margin: Pakistan won by 5 wickets
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Player of the Match: Hussain Talat
In essence, it was a tense, well-contested game. Pakistan survived a few scares, but their bowling upfront and the late recovery from Talat and Nawaz made the difference. Sri Lanka’s bowlers delivered brave spells, but their batting top-order collapse and inability to get at least one more breakthrough during the critical Talat-Nawaz phase cost them.
Tactical Observations & Lessons
Pakistan’s Approach
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Attacking with the new ball: Shaheen’s early strikes were absolutely essential. Pakistan’s plan to put Sri Lanka on the backfoot from the start worked.
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Depth in batting: The ability to lean on all-rounders (Talat & Nawaz) in pressure phases gave them resilience.
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Handling spin pressure: Even though Pakistan stumbled under spin in the middle overs, their lower order held nerve and executed under pressure.
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Controlled risk-taking: They didn’t go for flamboyant shots early; instead, they built partnerships and picked moments to accelerate.
Sri Lanka’s Approach & What Fell Short
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Inconsistent breakthroughs: While Theekshana and Hasaranga bowled well, they lacked a sustained threat during the final stretch of the chase.
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Batting collapse: Sri Lanka’s top order failed early; they needed more consistency from the top to build a bigger total.
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Middle overs pressure: Sri Lanka couldn’t capitalize at a point when Pakistan’s chase nearly derailed; they perhaps needed more variation or tighter field placements.
What This Means for Asia Cup 2025
This win revived Pakistan’s campaign. Before the match, Pakistan risked early elimination. But now, with a victory of this kind — quelling nerves and boosting morale — they remain in the hunt for a place in the final.
For Sri Lanka, this defeat is damaging. With two losses in Super Four, their qualification scenario is now extremely tight. To proceed, they must beat India in their remaining fixture and rely on results going their way in other matches.
Takeaways & What to Watch Next
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Pakistan’s resolve under pressure will be a hallmark of this campaign. They showed that even when the chase wobbles, they have options to rebuild.
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Sri Lanka’s bounce-back capability will now be tested. They must find stability in batting early and perhaps tweak bowling to produce breakthroughs in final phases.
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Impact of pitch & conditions: Abu Dhabi’s pitches and the dew factor at night can influence which side is better off chasing or defending.
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Momentum in cricket: A win like this can change the psychological tilt in tournament cricket.
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Match Highlights:
