Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka to stay alive
**Early Wickets: Sri Lanka Falters**
Sri Lanka, invited to bat first, faced a string of early dismissals that put them on the back foot. Kusal Mendis was dismissed for a duck on just the second ball of the innings. Another key player, Pathum Nissanka, also fell cheaply after scoring only 8 runs. Although Kusal Perera and skipper Charith Asalanka added some runs, both were soon dismissed by Haris Rauf and Hussain Talat. Sri Lanka lost half their side for a mere 58 runs, struggling to build a solid foundation.
**Kamindu Mendis Rescues Sri Lanka with Defiant Knock**
Despite the early collapse inflicted by Shaheen Afridi, Hussain Talat, and Haris Rauf, Kamindu Mendis stood firm. At one point, Sri Lanka was reduced to 80/6 following the dismissal of Wanindu Hasaranga, who scored 15 runs. Kamindu then formed a crucial 43-run partnership with Chamika Karunaratne, pushing Sri Lanka beyond the 120-run mark. However, in the penultimate over, Kamindu was trapped lbw by Shaheen Afridi. Although the Decision Review System (DRS) call attracted some criticism, Kamindu had to depart on 50 runs.
**Kamindu’s Milestone Fifty**
Kamindu Mendis scored 50 runs off 44 balls, including 3 fours and 2 sixes. This impressive knock marked his third T20I half-century and pushed him past 500 runs in the format. Playing his 32nd T20I, Kamindu now has 525 runs from 28 innings at an average of 21, with a strike rate of 128.04. Interestingly, both Kapindu and Sri Lanka made their T20I debut against Pakistan.
**Pakistan’s Inning: Early Setbacks and Middle-Over Recovery**
Unlike Sri Lanka, Pakistan started their innings with a solid opening partnership. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman resisted well against the opening spells from Numan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera, reaching 45 runs by the sixth over. However, Maheesh Theekshana broke through by dismissing both openers in the same over, bringing Sri Lanka back into the contest. Shortly after, Wanindu Hasaranga removed Saim Ayub, reducing Pakistan to 50/3.
**Middle Overs: Pakistan’s Strong Comeback**
Hasaranga continued to apply pressure by dismissing Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha for 5 runs. Pakistan managed to cross the 80-run mark before Dushmantha Chameera took the wicket of Mohammad Haris, who scored 13. Then, Hussain Talat (32* not out) and Nawaz (38* not out) built a patient and effective partnership, taking Pakistan over the 100-run mark. Their unbeaten 58-run stand saw Pakistan comfortably home well before the 18th over.
**Shaheen Afridi Becomes Pakistan’s Second-Highest T20I Wicket-Taker**
Shaheen Afridi was the standout bowler for Pakistan in the first innings, claiming three wickets for 28 runs in four overs. With his second wicket in this match, the left-arm pacer overtook Shadab Khan’s tally of 112 wickets to become Pakistan’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket. Shaheen now boasts 114 wickets, trailing only behind Haris Rauf, who has 130 wickets.
**Super Four Points Table Update**
Pakistan, bouncing back after a loss to India in the Super 4 stage, currently hold the second position with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.226. They have one match remaining against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are placed fourth after suffering two consecutive defeats, the first of which came against Bangladesh. India top the table with an NRR of 0.226 and are yet to face Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
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