Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 15th Match, Super Fours at Abu Dhabi, Asia Cup, Sep 23 2025 - Match Result

11pm That will be all from us for tonight. We will be back again tomorrow as India and Bangladesh go at it. Until then, from Sudeep, Thilak and myself (Shashwat), it is goodbye!

Hussain Talat, Player of the Match: It is difficult, it is hot, we all know. But we all prepared for this time. Conditions were not easy, so I took my time. We want to play attacking cricket but, in the UAE, we cannot go full-fledged. But they (captain and coach) talked about playing with the field and going with our best shots. The plan was to go straightaway and attack. But I just backed my gut feeling. We lost two wickets when I went in to bat. My gut feeling was to take some time and that the boundaries would come. There was a lot of humidity and I told Nawaz that he will go (after the bowling) and that I will go after the bowling (if I get an opportunity). Hats off to him for the way he finished it. I was working on my bowling with the bowling coach. We all know that teams will go after me, so I have to back my plans. If I can bowl two good overs for the team, that will help. And then I knew I needed to do something with the bat as well, and got this (award).

Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan captain: Cannot say it was a perfect game. We lost four wickets in three overs, but apart from that, it could be a perfect game but we need to stop doing that. We have been doing that since Sharjah and we need to stop that. He (Shane McDermott) has been working with players really hard. We have named him rockstar, and are working hard with him. I have seen people doing extra things as well, and when you do this extra stuff, it does pay off in the ground. (On Shaheen) He has been outstanding since he came back in America. He has been bowling well for last so many years. He is an asset and a match-winner, and he is showing that every now and then. (On Talat) That is why we play so many all-rounders because nowadays, the game demands so many options in batting and bowling. I am very happy for him. Knowing him for several years, he has been working hard on his game and really happy for him. For Nawaz, he has so much potential (with the bat) and hopefully they can continue. He (Abrar) has been bowling really well. He is someone who I go for when we are in a difficult situation. Outstanding bowler and hopefully he can continue till the season end and for many years for Pakistan.

Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka captain: (On if they fell short with the bat) Definitely. If we lose five wickets before the tenth over, it will be really hard. The surface looked really good but they (Pakistan) bowled and fielded very well (at the start), and it was not an ideal time to lose wickets. We just scored 133, but we did not give up, we came and fought really hard. He (Hasaranga) is always a superstar in white-ball (cricket). He has done so many things for the country and is still doing it.

Yasser: "If Bangladesh lose tomorrow then it will be a virtual semi final for both Pakistan and Bangladesh. Winning team will play against India on 28th September" -- Sounds about right.

Asim: "Is SL out of the Asia Cup? " -- No. They can still make it theoretically. Although they now need Bangladesh to win both of their remaining games, and a win against India themselves, with the margin also needing to be big enough for SL to overhaul India and Pakistan's NRR.

10:34pm Well, that got a lot more nerve-racking than Pakistan would have wanted it to be. They burst out of the traps, dripping with intent and with Farhan getting off to a flier. But two wickets in the sixth over pegged Pakistan back, and they were dented further by Hasaranga, who pulled off a sensational catch and then bagged two vital wickets.

SL then opted to hold back Hasaranga's overs for later and that proved to be pivotal in the context of the game, with Nawaz and Talat building a solid partnership. Neither got into rhythm immediately but like Kamindu earlier in the day, they stuck at it and eventually Nawaz clicked into gear enough to help Pakistan cross the finish line. And to top it all off, Hasaranga and Abrar, who traded celebrations through the game, embrace.

Just two more needed now

The change in angle has worked so far for Chameera, but the damage may already have been done. Pakistan need just eight more now

Over the wicket now

Talat is looking visibly exhausted and the physio is out to check on him. The Pakistan physio has had to do overtime today, and Talat looks pretty spent out there. Talat is good to go. Nawaz up against Chameera now. Around the wicket

Vishnu : "Sri Lanka needs a three wicket over, right now." -- Well, wouldn't that be handy...

Deepak M: "What did DRS show? Was that out? Hitting, Clipping or missing?" -- If you are referring to the lbw shout on 15.3, Ball Tracking returned with Umpire's Call, meaning that even if SL had a review up their sleeve, they would not have gotten the decision overturned.

Around the wicket now

Hasaranga returns

Ball Tracking, for what it is worth, would have returned with Umpire's Call on the 'Wickets' parameter, with the ball clipping leg stump.

Asalanka brings himself on. Around the wicket

Another boundary here or in the next few balls could really deflate SL