Pakistan (138/5) edge past Sri Lanka (133/8) by 5 wickets in Super Four clash of Asia Cup 2025

[BouncerGuy]

Match 15 of the 2025 Asia Cup sees Pakistan take on Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi today, on Tuesday, September 23.

Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan enter the contest low on morale after suffering a second defeat to arch-rivals India—this time in their Super Four opener. With their campaign teetering, the Men in Green will be desperate to bounce back and stay in contention.

Sri Lanka, too, face mounting pressure after a four-wicket loss to Bangladesh in their first Super Four fixture. Despite defending a modest 169-run target, the Lankan Lions fell short. Prior to that, they had swept all three group-stage matches. Another defeat on Tuesday could spell the end of their Asia Cup journey.

Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Wasim Jr

Sri Lanka squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Janith Liyanage

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[Ali Active]

Fakhar
farhan
Saim
Hassan nawaz
agha
haris
Faheem
shaheen
nawaz
rauf
sufiyan

 

[BouncerGuy]

Fakhar
farhan
Saim
Hassan nawaz
agha
haris
Faheem
shaheen
nawaz
rauf
sufiyan

TBH. We have no choice but to play these guys,.. Khushdil and talat are pathetic.. I am shocked to see these guys in the squad..

Abrar needs to fit in though.

 

[Ali Active]

if agha want he can demote himself lol to number 6 or 7

TBH. We have no choice but to play these guys,.. Khushdil and talat are pathetic.. I am shocked to see these guys in the squad..

Abrar needs to fit in though.

 

[sweep_shot]

It should be a good game.

I expect a close finish.

 

[followed]

Salman agha should bat after shaheen Afridi. It would have been better if he dropped himself from the team.

He should put the team first and drop himself from the team.

If Pakistan loses this one he should be the first to be kicked out from the team and take saim Hussain talat haris mohd Nawaz with him.

No way in any universe he should have been leading Pakistan in t20is. He doesn't even get selected regularly in PSL.

 

[Devadwal]

Now they have dropped Hasan Nawaz in last game then how can they include him for today game?

Either first decision was wrong or they don't Have any criteria for selection.

 

[followed]

I won't be surprised if srilanka bash these clowns badly.
Kusal mendis is important for srilanka. He spanked everyone in PSL.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Now they have dropped Hasan Nawaz in last game then how can they include him for today game?

Either first decision was wrong or they don't Have any criteria for selection.

First decision was wrong... Talat can never be a replacement of Hassan.. Even Shaheen is doing better job than Talat.. hassan should play no matter what.. We have no choice.. The squad we have is pathetic so...

 

[sweep_shot]

I won't be surprised if srilanka bash these clowns badly.
Kusal mendis is important for srilanka. He spanked everyone in PSL.

SL actually have a 5-match winning streak against Pakistan in T20 format (the streak goes back all the way to 2019).

Opportunity for Pakistan to break this streak.

 

[hamzie]

SL actually have a 5-match winning streak against Pakistan in T20 format (the streak goes back all the way to 2019).

Opportunity for Pakistan to break this streak.

View attachment 158122

I think everyone has a streak against us right now

 

[Devadwal]

First decision was wrong... Talat can never be a replacement of Hassan.. Even Shaheen is doing better job than Talat.. hassan should play no matter what.. We have no choice.. The squad we have is pathetic so...

Agreed , Hasan Nawaz strike rate is 150+ and don't think any current Pakistan player have that strike rate.

Wannabe hyped Talat like he is a World beater but he is useless in T20 cricket just like Agha.

Agha- Talat type player only suitable for ODI cricket .

At one hand Pakistan team Management dropped Babar/ Rizwan due to low strike rate but same time playing Agha and Talat who have less strike rate than Rizbar but dropped a player who have highest strikes rate in Pakistan ( Hasan Nawaz)

 

[adi_62941]

I have seen many innings of talat and he is a worst batsmen in t20. I dont know who selected him and why. He should be in ODIs.

 

[adi_62941]

I still remember how talat made us lose a series deciding T20i in southafrica in a bileterial series which ended our longest series winning streak

 

[shah9425]

Talat needs to be dropped

Hassan Nawaz back in

 

[imshally81]

Now they have dropped Hasan Nawaz in last game then how can they include him for today game?

Either first decision was wrong or they don't Have any criteria for selection.

Rotation Policy

 

[Omer2002]

we have no chance today nor against Bangladesh

 

[PakPremi]

Pakistan made diabolical decisions are last match leaving out their high strike rate batsmen, Hussan Nawaz, who has already contributed to many Pakistan's victories despite being a newcomer. Playing a hack like Haris in the team then not utilising his hacking ability, how can you not allow him to bat and prefer over rated and fluke like Mohd Nawaz to bat instead of wicketkeeper batsman that is adjudged by selectors to be better than Mohd Rizwan. Shaheen batted well against India and last game and you do not opportunity to come and tonk few. Mohd Nawaz is played as bowling all rounder but gets no bowling. Hussain Talat is preferred over Hussan Nawaz because he can bowl, agin not tried for over or two, whilst the Indian bowlers playing spin bowlers easily. The only change in team I see today is return of Hassan Nawaz.

 

[cricfan432]

Everyone talking about hasan nawaz, i think picking talat was a defensive move, they were afraid we might not even score 120. But that changes today, looking at pitches. Nawaz will come back most probably unless management is completely blind.

 

[imshally81]

we have no chance today nor against Bangladesh

Why ?

 

[RidiculousMan]

Everyone talking about hasan nawaz, i think picking talat was a defensive move, they were afraid we might not even score 120. But that changes today, looking at pitches. Nawaz will come back most probably unless management is completely blind.

Exactly this. If they want to pick Talat. Then better bring back Babar Azam. Go back to old school T20 cricket.

 

[followed]

SL actually have a 5-match winning streak against Pakistan in T20 format (the streak goes back all the way to 2019).

Opportunity for Pakistan to break this streak.

View attachment 158122

Lol srilanka is going to beat Pakistan badly it seems.
Srilanka is the 2nd best team in asia.

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

Why ?

Because this squad is rubbish and our best players have been excluded?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Agreed , Hasan Nawaz strike rate is 150+ and don't think any current Pakistan player have that strike rate.

Wannabe hyped Talat like he is a World beater but he is useless in T20 cricket just like Agha.

Agha- Talat type player only suitable for ODI cricket .

At one hand Pakistan team Management dropped Babar/ Rizwan due to low strike rate but same time playing Agha and Talat who have less strike rate than Rizbar but dropped a player who have highest strikes rate in Pakistan ( Hasan Nawaz)

Who hyped Talat?

Tbh Talat could have bowled a few overs on that surface he could have been a bit of a threat. But he was a dud with the bat.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Too many left-handers in the side. Thurshara will enjoy bowling against them because he has a very good record against them. And if he rocks Pakistan in the powerplay like he did Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Pakistan could be playing catch-up for the rest of the innings. Talat needs to go out, Hassan Nawaz needs to come back, and Pakistan should consider rejigging their batting line-up too. I wouldn't want Fakhar Zaman or Saim Ayub to be exposed to Thushara with the new-ball. The good thing about this surface is that scores around 170 can be chased down, and defended. So toss may not be a big factor like it is in Dubai. It's also the most batting-friendly surface we have seen in UAE over the past month, and also the surface that aids seamers the most.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I hope Pakistan win but I'm not overly confident.

 

[Ball Blazer]

So a do or die clash. I feel we are dying tonight

 

[Energy]

So a do or die clash. I feel we are dying tonight

No it's not. A loss today would open the doors for the norm i.e. India beat SL and Ban and Pak beat Ban with better NRR to secure their place in the final with a grand 2 points in Super 4.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Too many left-handers in the side. Thurshara will enjoy bowling against them because he has a very good record against them. And if he rocks Pakistan in the powerplay like he did Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Pakistan could be playing catch-up for the rest of the innings. Talat needs to go out, Hassan Nawaz needs to come back, and Pakistan should consider rejigging their batting line-up too. I wouldn't want Fakhar Zaman or Saim Ayub to be exposed to Thushara with the new-ball. The good thing about this surface is that scores around 170 can be chased down, and defended. So toss may not be a big factor like it is in Dubai. It's also the most batting-friendly surface we have seen in UAE over the past month, and also the surface that aids seamers the most.

Hasaranga has always been difficult to face for Pakistan aswell, we lost a toss tournament final to them because our lot just couldn't pick him from the hand after beating up the likes of Bishnoi and Chahal earlier.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Hasaranga has always been difficult to face for Pakistan aswell, we lost a toss tournament final to them because our lot just couldn't pick him from the hand after beating up the likes of Bishnoi and Chahal earlier.

Hasaranga has always made an impact when he has played Pakistan. Bowling average of 9 and batting average of 30 (SR 169) against Pak. He will definitely be a threat against a Pakistan side that has struggled against quality-spin lately.

 

[Devadwal]

So a do or die clash. I feel we are dying tonight

No if Pakistan Lose today then they will depend on KUDRAT KA NIZAM .

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Too many left-handers in the side. Thurshara will enjoy bowling against them because he has a very good record against them. And if he rocks Pakistan in the powerplay like he did Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Pakistan could be playing catch-up for the rest of the innings. Talat needs to go out, Hassan Nawaz needs to come back, and Pakistan should consider rejigging their batting line-up too. I wouldn't want Fakhar Zaman or Saim Ayub to be exposed to Thushara with the new-ball. The good thing about this surface is that scores around 170 can be chased down, and defended. So toss may not be a big factor like it is in Dubai. It's also the most batting-friendly surface we have seen in UAE over the past month, and also the surface that aids seamers the most.

Only a threat if he can get outswing(inswing to left handers). If not , his low trajectory 130 kph half vollies will be taken apart.

 

[zahid01]

I hope they will win they need to be little brave in selection last match they dropped hassan nawaz and not used mohd Harris instead agha and Hussain talat wasted with tuk tuk batting even faheem faced only 8 balls i believe i would send faheem ahead of agha and talat he's a capable batsmen when things are not going to plan you need to try things just cant put your head in the sand and think everything is going to be OK.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Only a threat if he can get outswing(inswing to left handers). If not , his low trajectory 130 kph half vollies will be taken apart.

Yes, you're right. But judging by the way this pitch has played so far there generally tends to be swing on offer with the new-ball

 

[BouncerGuy]

I am sure they will drop Talat and bring in Hassan... Expecting no other change now...

 

[pakistani pride]

Now they have dropped Hasan Nawaz in last game then how can they include him for today game?

Either first decision was wrong or they don't Have any criteria for selection.

Of course there is no criteria. How can one drop Hasan Nawaz and play Talat in a game vs India.

 

[pakistani pride]

No it's not. A loss today would open the doors for the norm i.e. India beat SL and Ban and Pak beat Ban with better NRR to secure their place in the final with a grand 2 points in Super 4.

that's how we do it

 

[Usman Chadda]

Of course there is no criteria. How can one drop Hasan Nawaz and play Talat in a game vs India.

The same reason Talat was sent in when Saim got out. They were scared of a collapse, rather than thinking of a win by continuing the momentum. The batting collapses in the previous five games instigated this change in the India match.

Hopefully Hesson keeps his wits about him around this chaos, as the goal is to create a team that is able to match the scoring rate of good teams. Yes we have not been able to come close to that on this UAE tour, but you have to keep faith with the personnel you ear-marked to drive this 'revolution'.

 

[Rana]

Because this squad is rubbish and our best players have been excluded?

Who’s our best players?

Babar and Rizwan?

Hahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahaahahh

 

[prash88]

Because Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka, Pakistan is not out of the tournament even if they lose today. If you lose, lose by a small margin. Save NRR.

 

[PakPremi]

Rizwan and Babr easily walk into this team , with likes of Talat Haris and Agha on the team, two cannot rotate strike or hit boundaries , and one the captain and coach do not even trust themselves to let him bat, and when he does plays brainless shot to get out early.i still would not want either Babar or Rizwan to return unless they show mark improvement in their strike rate and game winning ability .

 

[Usman Chadda]

Because Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka, Pakistan is not out of the tournament even if they lose today. If you lose, lose by a small margin. Save NRR.

Losses to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh should be considered a lot more devastating than India. But ofcourse our stakeholders will not see it that way.

 

[prash88]

Losses to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh should be considered a lot more devastating than India. But ofcourse our stakeholders will not see it that way.

Don't think Pakistan ll lose both unless they lose both the tosses..

 

[saabir]

Hasan Nawaz Should bat in the Top 3. Your best 3 should bat in Top 3 in T20 no matter the conditions. they should face the maximum number of balls . Farhan in good nick he is being not able to rotate strike but his hitting form is good. Fakhar is probably your best batter and Hasan Nawaz is the most talented player in this side.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Don't think Pakistan ll lose both unless they lose both the tosses..

Hasaranga has been the sole reason we have lost the last five games in a row to the Sri Lankans. We have never been able to play him well, so let's see how things go.

Shocking how we are losing our sh*t about Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and we have high hopes of beating India consistently lol

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

Who’s our best players?

Babar and Rizwan?

Hahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahaahahh

Top 5 highest opening partnerships in T20 for Pakistan have been by RizBabar

Men lie, Women lie but numbers don't

 

[Ali Active]

Fakhar
farhan
saim
hassan nawaz
agha jee/Haris depending on situation

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Hasaranga has been the sole reason we have lost the last five games in a row to the Sri Lankans. We have never been able to play him well, so let's see how things go.

Shocking how we are losing our sh*t about Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and we have high hopes of beating India consistently lol

Bangladesh is not a good side. Their batsmen have some of the lowest strike-rates in the tournament. Pakistan should beat Bangladesh. Sri Lanka are not great either but they do well in the Asia Cup against Pakistan, and because both teams have not played against each other in 3 years it is harder to predict.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Because Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka, Pakistan is not out of the tournament even if they lose today. If you lose, lose by a small margin. Save NRR.

That will open up another chapter of Qudrat Ka Nizam

 

[Usman Chadda]

Bangladesh is not a good side. Their batsmen have some of the lowest strike-rates in the tournament. Pakistan should beat Bangladesh. Sri Lanka are not great either but they do well in the Asia Cup against Pakistan, and because both teams have not played against each other in 3 years it is harder to predict.

We are as good a side as you think. Got our butts handed to us by a poor Bangladesh side just recently.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Top 5 highest opening partnerships in T20 for Pakistan have been by RizBabar

Men lie, Women lie but numbers don't

They want 90 strike rate and 60% dot ball guy over them... Let them enjoy.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Sad to say but too many passengers in the team that Babar and Rizwan can walk in to this lineup like stroll in the park. We simply don’t have any better upcoming talent then established associate nations.

Any player we try just seems to flop after 3/4 good innings and this has been the case since last 5 years.

 

[prash88]

Bangladesh is not a good side. Their batsmen have some of the lowest strike-rates in the tournament. Pakistan should beat Bangladesh. Sri Lanka are not great either but they do well in the Asia Cup against Pakistan, and because both teams have not played against each other in 3 years it is harder to predict.

Bangladesh has the second best SR in Asia in the last 1.5 years and they are striking at their historical high in their T20 history.

Source: Jarrod Kimber video

 

[pakistani pride]

Sad to say but too many passengers in the team that Babar and Rizwan can walk in to this lineup like stroll in the park. We simply don’t have any better upcoming talent then established associate nations.

Any player we try just seems to flop after 3/4 good innings and this has been the case since last 5 years.

Current lot might be below average, but Babar has been pathetic for a very very long time. He is done.

 

[jnaveen1980]

View attachment 158128
Bangladesh has the second best SR in Asia in the last 1.5 years and they are striking at their historical high in their T20 history.

Source: Jarrod Kimber video

Basically all teams are upping their strike rate. I am sure Australia is also on the higher side. Pakistan shows a sligh increase in strike rate. But since others are also increasing gap is still the same.

 

[prash88]

Basically all teams are upping their strike rate. I am sure Australia is also on the higher side. Pakistan shows a sligh increase in strike rate. But since others are also increasing gap is still the same.

This is just Asian teams. Yes Australia is near India might have went above India with the way they hit in WI series.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Chasing side will win

 

[Hyder]

Haris needs to open the inning with farhan thats the best you can utilize him.

Haris
Farhan
Saim
Fakhar
Hasan nawaz


This is the most workable top 5 from this squad

 

[Ball Blazer]

Haris needs to open the inning with farhan thats the best you can utilize him.

Haris
Farhan
Saim
Fakhar
Hasan nawaz


This is the most workable top 5 from this squad

Another duck loading for Saim

 

[light]

My money is on SL. They looked like a better unit than Pakistan throughout this tournament. One loss - and that too very very close.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

If Pak win toss they should chase and if SL do they'll chase knowing how poor Pakistan has been while batting first so far.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

We are as good a side as you think. Got our butts handed to us by a poor Bangladesh side just recently.

On heavily doctored pitches. They beat better teams on those types of pitches too.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

View attachment 158128
Bangladesh has the second best SR in Asia in the last 1.5 years and they are striking at their historical high in their T20 history.

Source: Jarrod Kimber video

That may be true but in this tournament, on these pitches their batsmen have some the worst strike-rates

 

[gazza619]

Pakistan needs to go back to Plan A. No time for experiments.

Saim opens with Farhan, Tullay baaz Haris at 3. Fakhar at 4 and Agha at 5. If top 3 give us a good start then useless Agha drops down to number 11 and proper hitters get a chance.

 

[tiger_khan]

Any news on the changes in the squad for the game?

Have you guys noticed something?

PCB leaks changes in team in huge games to their favorite journalists but no leaks for a game with Sri Lanka....

 

[tiger_khan]

After giving belittling predictions of today's game re the Pak team, some "legends" are offering their services to PCB with a promise to produce great results. Isn't this a conflict of interest? for the entire past week they have been criticizing the coach and management viciously...

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

Any news on the changes in the squad for the game?

Have you guys noticed something?

PCB leaks changes in team in huge games to their favorite journalists but no leaks for a game with Sri Lanka....

Muqeem back in the team and Khushdil in the place of M Nawaz

 

[tiger_khan]

Muqeem back in the team and Khushdil in the place of M Nawaz

If this is a confirmed news then Pakistani team might as well start packing now and let the Sri Lankan and BD teams safe their legs for the final against India

 

[Obaidd]

Seeing Agha, Khushdil and Talat in the same xi would be a bits and pieces coach’s dream. Seems like Hesson does have a template for pak cricket going forward.

 

[tiger_khan]

No team has crossed 200 in the Asia Cup as of yet.

Is today the day?

 

[hur rizvi]

Seeing Agha, Khushdil and Talat in the same xi would be a bits and pieces coach’s dream. Seems like Hesson does have a template for pak cricket going forward.

Oh boy and these guys had us believing that they are playing the intent game dropping babar and co. Pakistan deserve and would crash out today

 

[Devadwal]

Pakistan hasn’t won a single T20I match against Sri Lanka since 2017.

Last time Pak won vs Sri Lanka in T20I… Imad Wasim was ranked the No.1 T20 bowler in the world

 

[The Bald Eagle]

So no chance for PCT, no problem...may the best team win and advance ahead.

Pakistan hasn’t won a single T20I match against Sri Lanka since 2017.

Last time Pak won vs Sri Lanka in T20I… Imad Wasim was ranked the No.1 T20 bowler in the world

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Oh boy and these guys had us believing that they are playing the intent game dropping babar and co. Pakistan deserve and would crash out today

I just wish this bear some fruits and by that I mean sacking of some. But until then let's support the lads.

 

[Devadwal]

So no chance for PCT, no problem...may the best team win and advance ahead.

I didn't say Pakistan have no chance . They are favourite because this is new team with full of intent merchent players.

 

[hur rizvi]

I just wish this bear some fruits and by that I mean sacking of some. But until then let's support the lads.

Also given the fact that Abu Dhabi is better for batting. Not playing Hasan Nawaz and playing tuk tuk guys like talat and khusdil should just be the nail in the coffin for this management

 

[RidiculousMan]

Khushdil after playing 38 T20I matches has a massive SR of 104.07. Has to be some sort of record.

 

[Imran Hasan]

Sri Lanka will be 60/40 favorite against Pakistan today, I reckon. They have played decent cricket in this Asia cup so far. To win Pakistan need to play out of their skin.

 

[hur rizvi]

Khushdil after playing 38 T20I matches has a massive SR of 104.07. Has to be some sort of record.

Intent………..

 

[prash88]

Khushdil after playing 38 T20I matches has a massive SR of 104.07. Has to be some sort of record.

BPL SR of 165 and PSL SR of 147. He ll be a hot property in franchise circuit. But a flop for PCT for some reason.