Pakistan qualify for Asia Cup Rising Stars final after defeating Lions in Pak VS SL

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Shaheens secured their place in the final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 after edging past Sri Lanka A by five runs in a thrilling second semi-final of Pak vs SL.

Sri Lanka were able to crush five key wickets of the Greens following their decision to field first, as Pakistan’s top order Mohammad Naeem and Maaz Sadaqat have already been downed, with each scored 16 off 15 and 23 off 11 respectively.

Pakistan Batting Line

Batting first, the Greens opened their innings by sending top order Mohammad Naeem and Maaz Sadaqat in the initial. The Greens top order Mohammad Naeem and Maaz Sadaqat added 16 featured with 3 fours and 23 studded with 2 fours and 2 sixes each respectively. Following them, Yasir Khan added 6 off 7, Mohammad Faiq increased the total for 3-ball 7. Skipper Irfan Khan added 7-ball 6, bringing the team’s total up to 68 in early 9 overs.

Saad Masood and Ahmed Daniyal were the only batters who added better score, with each increasing the team’s total for 39, 22 and 22 respectively. With Ubaid Shah scoring a duck and lower order Sufiyan Muqeem adding 1, Yasir Khan added 7, skipper Irfan Khan 6, Shahiz Aziz 7. The team’s total increased up to 9-wicket 149 total, which was lifted up to 153 after 4 extras that the opponents bowlers conceded.

Sri Lanka Batting Line

Chasing 154, Sri Lanka A fell short despite a fighting 40-run knock from Milan Rathnayaka. Veshan Hellebage scored 29 and Listh added 27. Nishan Madushka made six, while Nuwanidu Fernando and Sahan managed five runs each.

Pakistan’s bowling attack delivered under pressure, with Saad Masood and Sufyan Muqeem taking three wickets each. Ubaid Shah, Shahid Aziz and Ahmed Daniyal picked up one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Sri Lanka elected to field first in the SL VS PAK semi-final, as the Asia Cup Rising Stars crucial match taking place in Doha is nearing a time where one will ably qualify for Asia Cup Rising Stars final clash.

For Sri Lanka A, Pramod Madushan was the standout bowler with four wickets, while Treveen Mathew claimed three

Both teams included key team players in the Sri Lanka A vs Pakistan semi final, who included a talented pool of batters, bowlers, and all rounders who played at top order, middle order and lower order.

With the victory, Pakistan Shaheens set up a title clash against Bangladesh A, with final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 to be held played on Nov 23.

Pakistan Playing XI

Mohammad Naseem, Maaz Sadaqat, Yasir Khan, Ghazi Ghori,, skipper Irfan Khan, Mohammad Faiq, Ahmed Daniyal, Shahid Aziz, Saad Masood, Sufiyan Muqeem and Ubaid Shah

Sri Lanka Playing XI

Nishan Madushka, Lasith Croospulle, Vishen Halambage, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, skipper Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Ramesh Mendis, Pramod Madushan, Rraveen Mathew and Garunka Sanketh