Pakistan Edges Sri Lanka in Thrilling Chase at Abu Dhabi to Keep Asia Cup 2025 Hopes Alive

When Pakistan chased down 134 against Sri Lanka with three balls to spare on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, it wasn’t just a win — it was a lifeline. The match, played under blazing skies at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, ended a two-year gap between T20I meetings between the two rivals and flipped the script on Pakistan’s collapsing Asia Cup campaign. With temperatures hitting 38°C and dew creeping in as the evening settled, the pitch — once thought to favor batters — became a minefield. And yet, Pakistan survived. Not by brute force, but by grit. Hussain Talat, the unlikeliest of heroes, smashed 18 runs off just three balls and then held the innings together with a calm 38 off 32, guiding his team to a 5-wicket win. His all-round performance — 2 wickets for 18 runs in 3 overs — earned him Man of the Match. But the real story? How Pakistan clawed back from 5 wickets down in the first 10 overs on a pitch that refused to give anything away.

The Pitch That Changed the Game

Sheikh Zayed Stadium, built in 2004 at a cost of $22 million, is often called one of cricket’s most polished venues. But in the 2025 Asia Cup, it wasn’t about shine — it was about survival. The surface started with pace and bounce, encouraging aggressive strokeplay. Teams batting first averaged 7.20 runs per over, per Crictoday.com. But as the game wore on, the ball gripped. Spinners came alive. The average run rate for teams batting second? Just 7.30 — barely higher. That’s a sign of a pitch that tightens, not one that loosens. And by the time Pakistan stepped out to chase, the dew had already begun to make the ball slippery, turning every flick and sweep into a gamble.

“It wasn’t the hardest pitch to bat on,” said former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal after the match. “But it was the most mentally taxing. You had to play each ball like it was your last.”

Disaster in the Powerplay — Then a Masterclass

Pakistan’s chase began in chaos. Shaheen Shah Afridi, the new-ball king, had already ripped through Sri Lanka’s top order, dismissing both openers in the first over. But the pressure shifted to Pakistan’s batters. Agha Salman, the captain, was out for a duck. Sahibzada Farhan, looking to accelerate, was caught at midwicket off Maheesh Theekshana. Fakhar Zaman fell to a looping catch. By the 10th over, Pakistan was 48 for 5. The stadium fell silent. The scoreboard looked like a funeral notice.

Enter Hussain Talat. He walked in at 48 for 5. He didn’t try to hit sixes. He didn’t try to be a hero. He just stayed. First, he stitched a 32-run stand with Mohammad Haris. Then, with Mohammad Nawaz — the quiet, steady all-rounder — he added 53 more. No big shots. No panic. Just placement. Just patience. When the final over began, Pakistan needed 12 runs. Talat, on 38, took one off the first ball. Nawaz, on 21, cracked a boundary off the second. The third ball? A single. The game was over. No drama. No last-ball six. Just control.

Why This Win Matters More Than the Scoreline

This wasn’t just about advancing in the Super Four. It was about identity. Pakistan had lost all three matches against India in the group stage — a psychological collapse that had fans questioning the team’s resilience. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, had been humbled by Bangladesh. Both teams were on the brink. This was the last chance to prove they belonged in the final four.

And Pakistan proved it. Not with pace, not with power, but with poise. Haris Rauf, who had been expensive in previous games, took 2 for 37. Abrar Ahmad, the mystery spinner, bowled 4 overs for just 8 runs — an economy rate of 2. That’s not just good. That’s tournament-defining.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s batting collapsed under pressure. Their top order, which had looked solid against Bangladesh, couldn’t handle the pressure of a low target. Theekshana, their star spinner, finished with 3 for 31, but the rest of the attack leaked runs. Kamindu Mendis, the young wicketkeeper-batter, took a sharp catch but couldn’t lift his team. Their 133 for 8 felt like 180 on this pitch.

The Weather and the Venue: A Silent Player

No rain. No delays. Just heat. And humidity. The forecast had been clear — 31°C to 38°C, zero chance of precipitation. But the real story was the dew. CricketAddictor.com and Crictoday.com both noted it would be a factor in the second innings. And it was. The ball became slick. Fielders struggled to grip it. Bowlers lost control. Pakistan’s spinners, who had practiced under similar conditions in Dubai, were ready. Sri Lanka wasn’t.

Sheikh Zayed Stadium’s consistency throughout the tournament made it the fairest venue in the Asia Cup 2025. Unlike the slower tracks in Lahore or the high-scoring grounds in Dhaka, Abu Dhabi rewarded strategy over spectacle. And Pakistan, for once, played the game.

What’s Next?

Pakistan now sits at 2-2 in the Super Four. Their fate hinges on the outcome of India vs. Bangladesh. If India wins, Pakistan advances as the second-place team. If Bangladesh wins, it’s a three-way tie — and net run rate becomes the decider. Pakistan’s NRR is now +0.89, up from -0.32 after their loss to India. A win here didn’t just save their campaign — it gave them a fighting chance.

For Sri Lanka, it’s a brutal exit. They’ve now lost three of four Super Four matches. The future looks uncertain. Their batting depth is thin. Their spinners, once feared, are now predictable. The next few months will determine whether this team can rebuild — or if this is the end of an era.

Key Moments That Defined the Match

• Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed both Sri Lankan openers in the first over — a masterstroke of swing and precision.
• Pakistan lost 5 wickets for 48 runs in the first 10 overs — a collapse that looked terminal.
• Hussain Talat’s 38 off 32 balls was the backbone of the chase — calm, calculated, clutch.
• Abrar Ahmad’s 4-0-8-1 spell was the most economical in the tournament so far.
• Dew made the final overs a lottery — Pakistan’s fielding and grip control made the difference.