The T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours stage took a dramatic turn on September 23 as Pakistan carved out a crucial five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, breathing new life into their campaign and keeping the door wide open for a potential blockbuster final against archrivals India. With the stakes sky-high, both teams entered the contest knowing that defeat would all but end their hopes of reaching the tournament's showpiece finale. The action, as it unfolded, was nothing short of gripping.
Chasing a modest target of 134, Pakistan wasted little time asserting themselves. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman strode to the crease with purpose, quickly racking up a 45-run partnership that set the tone for the innings. Farhan, the more aggressive of the two, cracked 24 off just 15 balls, putting Sri Lanka's bowlers under early pressure. However, his bright start was cut short in the sixth over when Maheesh Theekshana, Sri Lanka’s off-break specialist, tempted him into a miscue that ended in the hands of the fielder. The very same over saw Zaman depart as well, his attempted slog through the covers brilliantly intercepted by a diving Wanindu Hasaranga, leaving Pakistan suddenly vulnerable.
It was a double blow that could have rattled even the most seasoned sides. Zaman, who had already endured a scare after being struck on the helmet by a Dushmantha Chameera bouncer in the opening over, never quite found his rhythm before his dismissal. Theekshana’s impact was immediate, but Sri Lanka weren’t done yet. Hasaranga, their talismanic leg-spinner, returned to the attack and delivered two more quick wickets—dismissing Saim Ayub and Salman Agha in his first over, and then sending Mohammed Haris packing in his second. With Pakistan’s top order crumbling and the scoreboard reading 54 runs still required, the pressure was well and truly on.
Enter Hussain Talat and Muhammad Nawaz, the all-rounders tasked with rescuing the chase. Both had something to prove—Talat, especially, after facing criticism for his previous outing against India. Rising to the occasion, he played with a calm authority, notching up 32 runs from just 20 deliveries and steadying the ship. Nawaz, equally composed, struck an unbeaten 38 off 24 balls. The pair’s unbroken 56-run partnership brought Pakistan back from the brink, with Nawaz sealing the win in style by smashing two towering sixes off Chameera to finish the match with two overs to spare. Talk about a dramatic flourish!
The chase, while ultimately successful, was far from straightforward. Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul and Theekshana’s early double strike kept Pakistani fans on edge. But the cool heads of Talat and Nawaz ensured that Pakistan crossed the finish line, revitalizing their hopes of qualifying for the final. As Nawaz later reflected, "We knew we had to stay calm and play our game. The partnership was crucial, and finishing it off with those sixes felt special."
The earlier half of the match was dominated by Pakistan’s bowlers, who made life difficult for the Sri Lankan batsmen from the outset. Shaheen Afridi, who has been searching for his best form, produced a vintage spell, bagging 3 wickets for 28 runs in his four overs. He struck early, removing Kusal Mendis on just the second ball of the match and setting the tone for a disciplined bowling display. Haris Rauf and Talat chipped in with two wickets apiece, ensuring Sri Lanka never built any real momentum.
Despite the setbacks, Sri Lanka found a glimmer of hope in Kamindu Mendis. Batting at number five, Mendis fought valiantly, anchoring the innings with a gritty 50 from 44 balls. Dhananjaya de Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga offered brief support, but wickets fell at regular intervals, and Sri Lanka limped to 133-8 in their allotted 20 overs. Nawaz, not content with his batting heroics, also contributed with the ball, dismissing Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer Pathum Nissanka in his second over.
The defeat leaves Sri Lanka’s campaign in tatters. With zero points and a net run rate of -0.59, they find themselves on the verge of elimination, needing a miracle combination of results to sneak into the final. Bangladesh, meanwhile, slipped from second to third with a net run rate of 0.121, while India continue to lead the table with a healthy +0.689 NRR. All three teams—India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—remain in contention for the final, but the equations are growing increasingly complex as the Super Fours progress.
For India, the path is straightforward: win just one of their remaining two matches—against Bangladesh on September 24 or Sri Lanka on September 26—and a spot in the final is theirs. Their superior net run rate gives them a comfortable cushion, even if they drop a game. Pakistan, on the other hand, face a do-or-die clash with Bangladesh on September 25. Victory would see them move to 4 points and, barring a dramatic net run rate swing, all but guarantee a place in the final. A loss, however, would end their campaign and potentially set up an India vs Bangladesh final.
Most pundits had pegged Sri Lanka as favorites ahead of the match, but Pakistan’s spirited performance turned the tables and injected fresh excitement into the Asia Cup narrative. The possibility of an India vs Pakistan final—a fixture that never fails to capture the imagination of cricket fans worldwide—remains tantalizingly alive. As one commentator noted, "This tournament just keeps delivering twists. If we get an India-Pakistan final, it’ll be a dream for fans and broadcasters alike."
With the Super Fours delicately poised, every match from here on carries huge significance. The atmosphere in Abu Dhabi has been electric, with supporters from all nations adding color and noise to the proceedings. The players, too, have risen to the occasion, producing moments of high drama and skill that have made this edition of the Asia Cup one to remember.
As the dust settles on Pakistan’s thrilling win, attention now shifts to the upcoming fixtures. Can India maintain their dominance and book their spot in the final? Will Pakistan hold their nerve against Bangladesh and keep the hopes of a high-voltage final alive? And could Bangladesh spring a surprise to upset the established order?
One thing’s for sure—the race to the Asia Cup 2025 final is heating up, and fans around the globe are watching every ball with bated breath. With so much at stake and so many narratives still in play, the coming days promise even more drama and excitement. The journey to the final is far from over, and if this week’s action is any indication, cricket lovers are in for a treat.
