Pakistan defeat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets in Super-4 clash:Pakistan stay alive in race for Asia Cup final: Kamindu Mendis’ fifty in vain, PAK claim five-wicket win

Pakistan kept their Asia Cup campaign alive with a crucial five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. Chasing a modest target of 134 runs, Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat held their nerve to remain unbeaten and seal victory with 12 balls to spare. Earlier, Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan laid a strong foundation, giving Pakistan momentum in their must-win encounter Sri Lanka, however, did not go down without a fight. Their spin duo, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, bowled with guile and turn, using variations to keep Pakistan in check through the middle overs. But with a low total to defend, their efforts fell short as Pakistan’s middle order held firm. Earlier in the match, Pakistan’s bowlers stamped their authority right from the start. Skipper Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bowl first proved spot on, with Shaheen Afridi ripping through the Sri Lankan top order. Afridi dismissed both openers before claiming a third wicket, while Hussain Talat’s back-to-back strikes in the middle overs deepened Sri Lanka’s woes. Despite the collapse, Kamindu Mendis showed resilience with a composed knock, helping Sri Lanka crawl to 133/8. His fight ensured the bowlers had something to work with, but Pakistan’s balanced batting effort proved too strong, securing their first Super Four win and keeping semifinal hopes alive.