In Abu Dhabi, Pakistan secured a crucial five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a do-or-die fixture, keeping their campaign alive. The match, played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, saw Pakistan chase down a modest target of 134 with two overs to spare. It was a team effort where Pakistan’s bowlers laid the foundation by restricting Sri Lanka to 133 for 8, and Mohammad Nawaz, alongside Hussain Talat, guided the chase with a measured partnership under pressure.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka went too hard, too soon. Despite favourable conditions, they failed to build an innings and found themselves reduced to 58 for 5 inside eight overs. The surface was better than the 133 they eventually managed, but constant risk-taking cost them. Kamindu Mendis, who scored his third T20I half-century, provided some resistance alongside Chamika Karunaratne as they stitched together a stabilising partnership.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi made early inroads with two wickets in the Powerplay, albeit at some expense. The middle overs were expertly handled by Abrar Ahmed, who returned outstanding figures of 1 for 8 from his four overs. Sri Lanka, thanks largely to Mendis, clawed their way to 133 for 8, giving their bowlers something to defend.
In response, Pakistan got off to a brisk start. Despite Fakhar Zaman appearing unsettled after taking a blow to the head, Sahibzada Farhan calmed nerves with a flurry of early boundaries. At 45 without loss, Pakistan seemed in complete control before a sudden collapse saw them lose four wickets for just 12 runs, slipping to 57 for 4.
Still, with the modest target and the openers’ platform, there was never real scoreboard pressure. The challenge became more about composure than calculation. Charith Asalanka, sensing momentum shifting, brought Dushmantha Chameera back into the attack, and he delivered by breaking a growing partnership.
At 80 for 5, with 54 still required, Mohammad Nawaz joined Hussain Talat. Sri Lanka looked to Wanindu Hasaranga’s two remaining overs for a breakthrough, but both Nawaz and Talat counter-attacked effectively. Hasaranga’s overs, held back with strategic intent, ended up proving expensive and turned the match decisively in Pakistan’s favour.
Nawaz sealed the win in style, striking three sixes in Chameera’s final over, including one off the last ball to take Pakistan to 138 for 5 in 18 overs. It was a nervy chase at times, but Pakistan ultimately did enough to cross the line with comfort.
For Sri Lanka, the path ahead becomes increasingly narrow. Two defeats from two Super Four matches have left Charith Asalanka’s men on the brink, with little room for further error if they hope to reach the final.
