Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz steered Pakistan to a tense five-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday, keeping their Asia Cup final hopes alive.
After a defeat to arch-rivals India in their previous Super Fours match, Pakistan struggled to chase a modest target of 134. Talat (32) and Nawaz (38) combined for an unbeaten 58-run partnership for the sixth wicket, sealing victory with two overs to spare.
Earlier, Sri Lanka, put into bat, managed only 133-8, largely thanks to Kamindu Mendis’s resilient 50 following a top-order collapse. Pakistan’s decision to field, made by captain Salman Agha after winning the toss, paid off as his bowlers reduced Sri Lanka to 80-6 within 13 overs.
Pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi (3-28) set the tone, dismissing openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka in consecutive overs. Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka (20) and Kusal Perera (15) offered a brief resistance, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Kamindu Mendis reached his fifty before being trapped lbw by Afridi.
Pakistan began their chase confidently, reaching 45 without loss before spinners brought Sri Lanka back into the contest. Maheesh Theekshana struck in the sixth over, removing openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman. Wanindu Hasaranga then claimed captain Salman Agha and Saim Ayub, reducing Pakistan to 57-4.
Talat and Nawaz steadied the innings, guiding Pakistan steadily toward the target. Nawaz emphatically ended the contest, sending Dushmantha Chameera for three sixes in the 18th over, with the final blow securing victory.
Bangladesh, having defeated Sri Lanka in their opening Super Fours match, will face defending champions India on Wednesday.
