Pakistan keep final hopes alive with victory over Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka had earlier lost to Bangladesh, while Pakistan suffered defeat against India. With both teams desperate for a win to stay alive in the tournament, their clash became a do-or-die battle. Pakistan were seen as slight favorites, but Sri Lanka also had the ability to turn things around. A Sri Lanka win would have made Bangladesh’s path to the final easier.

However, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan’s bowlers took charge and secured a 5-wicket win with 12 balls to spare, knocking Sri Lanka out of the tournament.

Put into bat, Sri Lanka were under pressure right from the start. In the opening over, Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Kusal Mendis for a duck, before sending back Pathum Nissanka (8) in his second over.

Haris Rauf then removed Kusal Perera (15), leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 43 for 3 inside the powerplay.

Hussain Talat struck twice in quick succession to dismiss Charith Asalanka (20) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (0), reducing Sri Lanka further to 58 for 5.

Kamindu Mendis then offered some resistance. He built a 22-run stand with Wanindu Hasaranga (15) and later added 43 runs with Chamika Karunaratne (17*), pushing the total towards respectability. Kamindu scored a fighting 50 off 44 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes before being dismissed. Sri Lanka eventually managed 133 for 8 in their 20 overs.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi claimed 3 wickets, Talat and Rauf picked up 2 each, while Abrar Ahmed took 1.

Chasing 134, Pakistan got off to a solid start as Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman added 45 runs for the opening wicket. But Maheesh Theekshana struck twice to remove both openers, with Farhan scoring 25 and Fakhar 17.

Wanindu Hasaranga then dismissed Saim Ayub (2) and Salman Ali Agha (5), reducing Pakistan to 50 for 4. When Mohammad Haris (13) fell, Pakistan were reeling at 80 for 5.

From there, Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz steadied the innings. Nawaz’s unbeaten 38, laced with boundaries and sixes, along with Talat’s composed 32 off 30 balls, guided Pakistan to a comfortable win with two overs to spare.

For Sri Lanka, Theekshana and Hasaranga took 2 wickets each, while Dushmantha Chameera picked up 1.

Hussain Talat was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance — 2 wickets with the ball and a crucial 32 with the bat.

With this win, Pakistan stay alive in the tournament, while Sri Lanka’s campaign ends in the Super Four stage.