Shaheen Afridi’s impressive three-wicket haul restricted Sri Lanka to a modest total against Pakistan in the third fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Put into bat first, Sri Lanka mustered 133-8 in their 20 overs.

The Islanders were jolted early, with Shaheen Afridi removing both openers. Kusal Mendis fell for nought on the second ball of the first over, whereas in-form Pathum Nissanka was caught behind in the third over.

As a result, Sri Lanka slipped to 18-2 in 2.2 overs. However, the batters tried to counterattack, accumulating some vital runs.

Kusal Perera and skipper Charith Asalanka added 25 from 19 on the third wicket before the former was caught off Haris Rauf’s bowling in the fifth over. The left-hander managed to score 15 from 12 balls.

Despite scoring quickly, the eight over from medium pacer Hussain Talat was the cherry on top for Pakistan. Talat, bowling his first over of the tournament, removed Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka on back-to-back deliveries, which slumped them to 58-5.

The wickets sparked a mini collapse and dragged the run-rate down, though Kamindu Mendis fought back with anchoring a half-century to lift his team out of trouble.

The left-hander made 50 from 44 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes.

For Pakistan, it was an all-round performance with Shaheen Afridi leading the attack and picking up three wickets in his quota of four overs. Hussain Talat and Haris Rauf were equally good, scalping two apiece.

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (capt), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Agha (capt.), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Haris (wk), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

-Agencies