Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka by Five Wickets to Stay Alive in Asia Cup 2025

Pakistan secured a crucial five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup Super Fours to keep their hopes alive for reaching the final. Chasing a modest target of 134, Pakistan struggled initially against Sri Lankan spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, who took key wickets and applied pressure. Despite early batting setbacks, an unbeaten 58-run partnership between Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz steadied the innings, with Nawaz hitting three sixes in the final overs to seal the win with two overs to spare. Pakistan's bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi, had earlier restricted Sri Lanka to 133 for eight, despite a fifty from Kamindu Mendis. The victory places Pakistan second in the Super Fours points table, while Sri Lanka faces near-elimination unless other results go their way. This win marks Pakistan's first T20I triumph over Sri Lanka in eight years and showcases a resilient batting recovery under pressure.