In a stressful Super Four Clash at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Pakistan set a minor target of 134 runs to shock Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup ambitions in a big way. Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz shared an unbeaten 58 -run partnership for the sixth wicket in just 41 balls, directing Pakistan for a comfortable win with 12 balls and five wickets. It won the first T20I of Pakistan over Sri Lanka in eight years. Despite the defeat, Sri Lanka still retained a theoretical opportunity to reach the final, Bangladesh to win the remaining two matches, win themselves against India, and an important net run-per-swing to cross both India and Pakistan.
Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz rescue Pakistan in the middle overs
After losing speed with four wickets falling in a period of four overs, Pakistan found itself struggling against the spin pair of Mahesh Thekshana and Vanindu Hasarga. Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan, who initially granted stability, fell for accurate bowling and superb fielding, which hanged Pakistan’s hopes from a thread. At this critical point, Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz took charge with a mixture of calm rotation and calculation aggression. The boundaries were punished when loose delivery was cleverly rotated to keep the scoreboard tick. Nawaz’s drive through the cover and sweeping shots on the fine leg relieved the growing pressure, while the time and footwork at Talat ensured that he effectively rotated the strike.
Sri Lanka tried several strategic changes, including bringing Chamera back and adjusting Hasranga’s lines, but the Pakistan pair was ineffective. His partnership not only stabilized the innings, but also shifted the speed, gradually reduced the required run rate. With each over, Pakistan got closer to the target, killing Sri Lanka for the successes that never came. The pair’s partnership was a masterclass to handle pressure and read the game status. Nawaz’s aggression fully complemented Talat, and the closing of the partnership’s Cramendo crossed the line with authority in Pakistan
Preliminary attacks by Shaheen Afridi put Sri Lanka under pressure
Earlier, Pakistan’s pacers set up the tone by abolishing the top order of Sri Lankan. Shaheen Shah Afridi quickly hit, in-form Kusal Mendis and Patam Nisanka left Sri Lanka to 18 in two. A brief resistance from Charith Asanka and Kusal Perera added some stability, but gradual successes by Hussain Talat and Haris Rauf roveted Sri Lanka to 58 for five. Kamindu Mendis fought bravely with 50 runs off 44 balls, formed a 43 -run partnership with Chamika Karunaratne, but the initial disadvantage had already crippled the innings.
Pakistan’s disciplined bowling, fast fielding, and timely wicket -taking wickets ensured that Sri Lanka never had the pace to post challenging. Shaheen’s initial successes were important in setting up a platform to shine the middle-order heroes of Pakistan. Highlights the disciplined lines and lengths of pacers jointly with clever variations from spinners highlighting the execution of Pakistan’s strategic nous and pressure. This performance also highlighted the weaknesses of Sri Lanka in handling disciplined speed upfronts and controlling pursuit in crunch situations. Finally, Pakistan bowlers set the platform for the memorable sixth wicket stand, making sure that their side survived in the Asia Cup and reduced the confidence of the defending champion significantly.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Great performance with Hussain Tonight with Bat and Bowle tonight#Cricket pic.twitter.com/xqscdwjiyh
– Larib Fatima (@laraib_fatiima) September 23, 2025
Pakistan managed to capture an excellent fight with Sri Lanka to get into line in a tense game in Abu Dhabi. An invaluable 6th wicket partnership between Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz maintains its hopes of final survival … #Pakvsl
– Aatif Nawaz (@AatifnaWaz) September 23, 2025
Shaheen Afrid done well
Well done Hussain Talat
Well done Muhammad Nawaz
Hero day for Pakistan #Asiacup2025 #PakistAncrick– Majid Majed (@Majidjid 83) September 23, 2025
Talat and Nawaz steel for a tense victory to fight Pakistan! Nawaz wins with a six !! pic.twitter.com/h6tzlsjdm
– Ehsan Qureshi (@ehsanqureshi_1) September 23, 2025
He was close in a phase. Muhammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat from Kudos to save the match.
Good fight by Sri Lankan people. Best wishes for the future.
– MD Umair Khan (@Mdumairkh) September 23, 2025
The great victory Pakistan, still areas where we need to improve. Overall a great victory. Best wishes for the next one
– Ayesha Masarore (@Aishmasaror 56) September 23, 2025
8 years later, Pakistan won against Sri Lanka in the T20I match!
Panth Hussain was against Talat and even Nawaz; He has ended the game for his team.
They are becoming a better side. The days have come when we would get out of the first round. SAIM goes on and… pic.twitter.com/oxquocjza1– Basit Subhani (@Basitsubhani) September 23, 2025
Shukar is learn today, wins congratulations 👏🥳🎉
Team Pakistan 🇵🇰🏏😍 #Pakvssl pic.twitter.com/7skfkbswdg– Blue Sapphire (@Bluesap26) September 23, 2025
Important victory for Pakistan 🇵🇰 #ASIACUP #Slvspak
– Imran Sheikh (@Imranshaikh026) September 23, 2025
Pakistan keeps its final hopes alive!#Pakvsl #Asiacup2025 #T20i #Cricket pic.twitter.com/yguxep5gvp
– CRICKETIMES.COM (@crickettimeshq) September 23, 2025
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