DUBAI: In a crucial Super Four match of the Asia Cup, Pakistan successfully chased a target of 134 set by Sri Lanka, reaching 138 for the loss of five wickets in 18 overs.
Hussain Talat played a quickfire 32 off 30 balls, while Mohammad Haris contributed 38 runs from 24 deliveries, including three sixes and three boundaries.
Opening batsman Fakhar Zaman scored 17, Sahibzada Farhan made 24 off 15 balls, Saem Ayub managed 2 from 3 deliveries, and Salman Ali Agha added 5 off 6 before being dismissed.
Earlier, Sri Lanka, batting first, posted 133 for 8 in their allotted overs. The first wicket fell for just 1 run when Kusal Mendis was caught off Shaheen Afridi. The second wicket fell at 18, with Pathum Nissanka also falling to Afridi for 8 runs.
Kusal Mendis was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, scoring 50 off 44 balls, hitting two sixes and three boundaries. Other contributors included Asalanka (20), Kusal Perera (15), Hasaranga (15), and Chamika Karunaratne (17).
For Pakistan, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi claimed three wickets, Haris Rauf and Hussain Talat took two each, while Abrar Ahmed dismissed one.
Pakistan, having won the toss, opted to field first. There were no changes in the Pakistani squad, while Sri Lanka made two adjustments.
The Sri Lankan playing XI included Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Asalanka, Chamindu Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, and Nuwan Thushara.
Pakistan fielded Sahibzada Farhan, Saem Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.
