Pakistan batters struggle to stay on the pitch in their 134-run chase

Despite a powerful start by Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan's chase of 134 runs became a burdensome affair against Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night.

The Pakistani openers successively fell to mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana in the sixth over.

Meanwhile, Wanindu Hasaranga added to the injury with another two quick wickets in his second over for the Sri Lankan spin attack.

Hasaranga dismissed Saim Ayub first and then Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha on lbw in his 1.1 overs, leaving the Greenshirts limping at 63/4.

Muhammad Haris came on the pitch in the eighth over.

He was aiming to stay on the pitch with Hussain Talat as they searched for a decent partnership of at least 30 to 50 runs without losing another wicket.

But he was soon sent back to the dugout by Dushmantha Chameera, and Pakistan struggled at 82/5.

Pakistan limit Sri Lanka to 133-8

Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to 133-8 thanks to their pacers led by Shaheen Afridi and Hussain Talat.

Pakistan won the toss and skipper Salman Ali Agha chose to field first as the Greenshirts fight for their place in the Asia Cup 2025 final.

Agha believed that fielding first would benefit his side as he thinks the pitch will not change much. He also said that he wants to set the tone with the bowlers first.

Shaheen took three wickets, dismissing openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis in the first two overs and then took out Kamindu Mendis in 18.4 overs on lbw.

Meanwhile, Hussain Talat was effective in sending Captain Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka in crucial moments.

Haris Rauf was a happy man with two wickets as well, and Abrar Ahmed was successful in picking one wicket.

Quick fall of wickets

Sri Lanka struggled to put up a competitive total.

Abrar Ahmed took out Wanindu Hasaranga in 12.1 overs.

Sri Lanka are reduced to 62 for 5.

Pakistan took their fifth wicket as Dasun Shanaka is out in 7.3 overs for a duck on Talat's ball. Two in two for Talat.

The fourth Sri Lankan wicket that fell was Charith Asalanka's, as he was trying to find a four in the 7.2 overs.

Salman Ali Agha's decision to field first is paying off well as Pakistan dismissed Kusal Perera on Haris Rauf's ball. Caught by Faheem Ashraf in 5.2 overs.

Their big three batters have been sent back to the pavilion.
Sri Lanka are still not shying away from big shots; they carry on at 53 for three.

The openers came on the field after the national anthems.

Pakistan saw their first success immediately in the first over when they dismissed Sri Lankan opener and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis 1-1 on Shaheen Afridi's ball, Talat caught it comfortably. Afridi took his second wicket as Pathum Nissanka, in 2.2 overs.

As the openers came on the field after the national anthems, Pakistan saw their first success immediately in the first over when they dismissed Sri Lankan opener and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis 1-1 on Shaheen Afridi's ball, Talat caught it comfortably.

Head-to-head

Pakistan leads Sri Lanka in the overall T20I record; however, the Lions have been the dominant side over the last six years.

Pakistan have beaten Sri Lanka 13 out of 23 times, but their last T20I win against the Lions came in 2019.

What's at stake?

That result has left Pakistan in a tricky position. To qualify directly for the final, Salman Ali Agha’s men must beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday and then overcome Bangladesh on Thursday. They would also need India to defeat Bangladesh in their remaining Super Four fixture.

However, if Pakistan loses against Sri Lanka, they will not be knocked out straight away but will then rely heavily on other results. In that scenario, they would need India to beat both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, while also defeating Bangladesh themselves by a big margin to stand a chance of reaching the final on net run rate.

For Sri Lanka, a win against Pakistan would strengthen their chances, though they too might still need favorable results to book a spot in the title clash. Bangladesh, after their dramatic win, remains very much in the hunt as well.

The qualification picture will become clearer when Pakistan faces Sri Lanka on Tuesday in what is shaping up to be a must-win clash for both sides.