Sri Lanka’s running unplugged batting line up was badly exposed by a sub standard Pakistan which put behind a sagging run in the 2025 Asia Cup at the expense of Sri Lanka which has come to be regarded by the world’s cricket fraternity for its unpredictable batting known to crumble when the going gets tough ss it proved to be yesterday by a 5 wicket loss with Pakistan batting out a shaky 80 for 5 to going through on an unfinished 58 sixth wicket bonding between a flying 38 off 24 by Mohammad Nawaz blazed by 3 over the top and equal number to the ropes and Player of the Match 32 off 30 with 3 boundaries by Hussain Talat to go with his 2 wickets in a decisive super four match at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium yesterday.
The defeat put Sri Lanka back at square one as Chsrith Asalanka prepares to lead his team to the bigger picture T20 World Cup this year of a former world champion nation whose long unplugged batting worries sees the Lankans once again staring at a huge rock they need to get past if they are to bring home another world cup.
Pakistan’s victory belonged mainly to fast bowlers Shasheen Shahid Afridi a 3 wicket burst in breaking the Lankan top order and Hussain Talat 2 for to go with an unbeaten 32 Player of the Match performances putting back the smiles from two houndings by arch rivals India.
But victory did not come easy as the Lankan bowlers had Pakistan down to 80 for 5 courtesy 2 wicket strikes by Mahees Theekshana, who replaced Dunith Wellalage for this game. and Wanindu Hasaranga before an unfinished sixth wicket 58 between Mohammad Nawaz 38 off 24 with 3 sixes and equal hi number of boundaries and Hussain Talat 32 off 30 with 4 boundaries saw Pakistan home.
Pakistan 138 for 5 (Nawaz 38*, Talat 32*, Theekshana 2-24, Hasaranga 2-27) beat Sri Lanka 133 for 8 (Kamindu Mendis 50, Afridi 3-28, Talat 2-18, Rauf 2-37) by five wickets