Abu Dhabi: Pakistan secured a vital victory against Sri Lanka, winning by five wickets in their second Super Four match of the ongoing Asia Cup. Following a significant defeat to India, the team led by Salman Agha required this win to remain in contention for the final. While Pakistan’s bowlers delivered an excellent performance at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, setting up a manageable chase, the match concluded in a tense manner as the batters fought to seal the victory.
In the first innings, Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to just 133 runs, with Shaheen Afridi leading the bowling attack by claiming three wickets, including two during the powerplay, setting a challenging tone for Sri Lanka. Despite this, Kamindu Mendis contributed a half-century, allowing Sri Lanka to post a somewhat respectable total.
In addition to Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hussain Talat each took two wickets. A notable moment from the innings occurred when Abrar Ahmad dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga for 15 runs and celebrated by mimicking Hasaranga’s signature celebration, an act that quickly gained traction on social media.
Sri Lanka Spinners Apply Pressure on Pakistan
In response, Sri Lanka’s bowlers showcased their skills. Hasaranga made a spectacular catch to dismiss Saim Ayub and then retaliated against Abrar Ahmad by replicating his celebration. The combination of Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana led to two wickets apiece for each bowler, effectively stalling Pakistan’s innings at a crucial stage. However, Haris Talat and Mohammad Nawaz formed a vital partnership that ultimately guided Pakistan to victory.
