Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka clash will kick off at 7:30 tonight

Pakistan chase down 134 by 5 wickets

Finally, Shaheens finished it off as unbeaten all rounders Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz resisted to give wickets for granted anymore. Therefore, each brilliantly added 32 off 30 (studded with 4 fours) and 38 off 24 (decorated with 3 fours and 3 sixes), respectively, bringing the chase to 127 in 18 overs. Thanks to the seven extras conceded by the bowlers that finished the game.

Click here to watch Shaheens finishers!

Meanwhile, star all rounder Hussain Talat-not out and shining pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi earned Player of the Match and Most Valuable Player awards for their best performances in the Sri Lanka event.

Unexpected fall of middle order

Following the fall of top batters Sahbizada and Fakhar, first-in Saim Ayub, skipper Salman Agha and middle order Mohammad Haris were all next to face music. Each added only 2, 5, and 13, respectively, as the unexpected spells played by bowlers of the Lions truly defended their target.

Pakistan in ever difficult time

Pakistan’s first 80 score spotlighted much expensive following the unexpected fall of the early five wickets downed by the Sri Lanka pacers. With top batters Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman managing only 41, no batter among these was able to exceed an average of 12.2 till 11 overs. Meanwhile, that overall affected the team’s chase heavily.

The Lions post a modest 134-run target

Finally, the Lions made their ways to a no-way-bad target, crossing their hundred in last four overs, ensuring a 127 in total however thanks to the extras conceded by Pakistan bowlers that enabled the rivals to post a 134-run target for 8 wickets.

During their innings, 6th-In Chamika Karunaratne and 8th-In Maheesh Theekshana remained unbeaten. Undefeated Chamika added 17 off 21 to the team’s total.

Remarkable bowlers of Shaheens

Star bowlers Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat and Abrar Ahmed went remarkable for claiming wickets. Afridi remained the best pacer for downing three wickets, while Rauf and Talat who picked two each were second to Afridi. Abrar’s one but valuable wicket also put him as good contributor for Shaheens.

Kamindu lose to Shaheen

3rd-In (Kamindu Mendis) of the men in blue no more at the crease! Kamindu registered 50 off 43 deliveries however the next ball delivered by Shaheen Afridi crushed him that didn’t allow him to add even a single digit any further, leaving the team’s total in 124 in the 18.5 overs.

Spinner Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf took more wickets for Pakistan. Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera each added 15 and 1 to the team’s total before being lost to Abrar and Haris respectively.

Shaheen pacers wreak havoc

Yes two star pacer Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf picked up thrilling wickets, with the former destroying the opening line while the later the first-in, but how about others who also rebuilt big hopes of winnings?

They must be mentioned as well. So here we go!

All-rounder Hussain Talat also picked up two wickets, and that even brilliantly!

The first for him was skipper of the rivals, Charith Asalanka, who managed only 20 off 19 deliveries (studded with 2 fours and 1 six), before being sent back. Wait! Second wicket for Tala?

Oh, he was middle order Dasun Shanaka whom Talat crushed for a duck in the 7.3 overs, crumbling 5 wickets after scoring only 58. How did it happen? Watch the thriller here!

Here comes another wicket for Shaheens

This time Shaheens spinner Abrar Ahmed claimed the 6th wicket of the Lions, restricting the ongoing target to just 97 in the 16th over, with a few more to play at the crease however only for 4 last overs.

Haris Rauf’s brilliant spells

First-in Kusal Perera came in to resist losing next wickets to Shaheens after Afridi destroyed the first two position-players within 14 balls of the innings. However, Star pacer Haris Rauf’s spells put Kusal in even tougher time. Kusal managed only 15 off 12 before being downed by star pacer Rauf in his first over of the innings.

Shaheen crush opening line

A timely, crushing bowling performance can propel any team forward, especially with star pacers like Shaheen Afridi in the lineup.
Afridi dismantled the Lions’ top order, removing Kusal Mendis for a duck in the very first over and dismissing Pathum Nissanka for just 8 off 7 balls in his 3rd over.

First wicket in first over

Here Shaheens began their strike at the Lions, with star pacer Shaheen Afridi claiming the the first wicket for the Greens in the very first over, giving a tougher momentum to the rivals. The downed wicket appeared position second top batter Kusal Mendis, leaving the crease to position one Pathum Nissanka and the first-in Kusal Perera.

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