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Hussain Talat all-round special, Shaheen’s form return catalyze big PAK win over SL

Aakash Saini

Pakistan pipped Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2025 [Source: @CallMeSheri1_/x]Pakistan pipped Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2025 [Source: @CallMeSheri1_/x]

Pakistan crushed Sri Lanka by five wickets in a low-scoring thriller in Abu Dhabi to register their opening points of the Super Four stage of the 2025 Asia Cup. Shaheen Afridi roared back into form while Hussain Talat delivered a remarkable all-round special to mastermind Pakistan’s big win.

Here, we take a look at the entire highlights of the 15th match of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as it panned out at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, September 23.

Kamindu Mendis gets 50 but Shaheen and Abrar restrict SL

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi roared back into form, as the speedster made the new ball swing and got the wickets of both Sri Lankan openers within the first three overs of the match. Haris Rauf also joined in the fun inside the powerplay with the wicket of Sri Lanka’s number three Kusal Perera.

Hussain Talat (2-18) further jolted Sri Lankan middle-order by dismissing captain Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanka in quick succession as they slipped to a precarious 58-5 around eight overs. Fortunately for Sri Lanka, Kamindu Mendis rose to the occasion with a counterattacking 44-ball half-century. The cricketer added crucial runs with Wanindu Hasaranga (15 off 13) and Chamika Karunaratne (17* off 21) to lift Sri Lanka to a competitive 133-8 in 20 overs. For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi (3-28) and Haris Rauf (2-37) added a wicket each to their tally at the death.

Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz win it for Pakistan

Pakistan raced to a 45-run opening stand in just 5.3 overs, with both openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman getting off to cracking starts. However, both cricketers were dismissed in the space of just three deliveries of the final powerplay over by Sri Lanka off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana (2-24).

Wanindu Hasaranga (2-27) made full use of Sri Lanka’s newfound hope by deceiving Saim Ayub and Pakistan captain Agha Salman as the ‘Men in Green’ slipped from 45-0 to 57-4 in eight overs. Mohammad Haris got knocked over by Dushmantha Chameera for 13 at 80-5, before unbeaten Hussain Talat (32* off 30) and Mohammad Nawaz (38* off 24) steered Pakistan to a comprehensive five-wicket win in 18 overs by crafting a 58-run partnership for the sixth wicket.