Abu Dhabi, September 23, 2025: Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi’s fiery three-wicket burst helped Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka to a modest 133-8 in their 20 overs during the third Super Four fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Put into bat first, Sri Lanka suffered an early blow when Afridi dismissed Kusal Mendis for a duck on just the second ball of the innings. In-form opener Pathum Nissanka soon followed, edging behind in the third over, leaving the Islanders reeling at 18-2.
Skipper Charith Asalanka and Kusal Perera attempted to rebuild, adding 25 runs for the third wicket. However, their stand was broken when Haris Rauf dismissed Perera for 15 in the fifth over.
Medium-pacer Hussain Talat then delivered a decisive blow in his first over of the tournament. He struck on consecutive balls, removing Asalanka and all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, plunging Sri Lanka to 58-5 by the eighth over.
The middle-order collapse slowed the scoring rate, but Kamindu Mendis offered some resistance with a fighting half-century. His 50 off 44 balls, laced with three fours and two sixes, provided Sri Lanka a respectable total amid the steady fall of wickets.
For Pakistan, Afridi led the charge with figures of 3-27 from his four overs, while Hussain Talat and Haris Rauf shared two wickets apiece in an all-round bowling display.
Sri Lanka, who entered the contest under pressure following earlier defeats, will now rely on their bowling attack to challenge Pakistan in this crucial Super Four encounter.
