ABU DHABI — In a nerve-shredding encounter that went down to the final over, Pakistan kept their Asia Cup 2024 final hopes alive with a dramatic five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. Chasing a modest target of 165, the Men in Green stumbled and stuttered but ultimately crossed the line with two balls to spare, setting up a virtual semi-final against Bangladesh.
A Nail-Biting Chase Seals the Deal
The victory was far from straightforward. After a disciplined bowling performance had restricted Sri Lanka to 164 for 9, Pakistan seemed to be cruising at 104 for 2 in the 14th over. However, the loss of key wickets, including the dangerous Mohammad Rizwan and the in-form Fakhar Zaman, triggered a familiar collapse, injecting intense pressure into the Pakistani dressing room. The match swung back into Sri Lanka's favor, leaving Pakistan requiring a tense 32 runs from the final three overs.
The hero of the hour was all-rounder Shadab Khan, who played a mature and calculated innings under extreme duress. Coming to the crease during the collapse, Shadab held his nerve, rotating the strike and finding the occasional boundary to keep the required run rate in check. His crucial partnership with Iftikhar Ahmed, worth 28 runs, steadied the ship before he saw the team home in the company of Mohammad Nawaz. Reflecting on the tense finish, Shadab stated, "We knew it was a tricky pitch, and their spinners were bowling well. The plan was simple: take it deep and back ourselves to get the boundaries in the last two overs."
Pakistan's Bowling Paves the Way
The foundation for Pakistan's win was laid by their bowlers, who executed their plans with remarkable precision after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat. Shaheen Shah Afridi provided the early breakthrough, but it was the spin trio of Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Iftikhar Ahmed who truly strangled the Sri Lankan innings in the middle overs. They conceded just 71 runs between them in 12 overs, picking up five crucial wickets and preventing any significant partnerships from developing.
Sri Lanka's innings never found its rhythm. Pathum Nissanka top-scored with a patient 41, but he lacked support from the middle order. Key batsmen like Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka fell cheaply to the spinners, leaving the islanders struggling to post a competitive total. A late flurry from Wanindu Hasaranga, who smashed 26 off 16 balls, provided a semblance of respectability, pushing the total past 160. Pakistan's fielding was also sharp, with two direct-hit run-outs underscoring their intensity in the field. Captain Babar Azam praised his bowlers, saying, "The credit goes to the bowlers. They stuck to their plans and gave us a target that was chaseable on this surface."
Key Performances with the Ball
The bowling effort was a collective one, but a few individuals stood out:
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: 2 for 32, including the wicket of Mendis.
- Shadab Khan: The pick of the bowlers with 2 for 27 in his four overs.
- Mohammad Nawaz: Economical figures of 1 for 25.
Top Order Falters, Middle Order Delivers
Pakistan's chase began inauspiciously with the early departure of captain Babar Azam, caught behind for 10. This brought Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman together, and the pair seemed to have the chase under control with a 65-run partnership. Rizwan played the anchor role to perfection, while Zaman unleashed his characteristic powerful strokes. Just as Pakistan looked set for a comfortable win, Zaman holed out for 30, sparking the collapse. Rizwan followed soon after for a well-made 41, and suddenly, the scoreboard read 120 for 4.
The dismissal of Iftikhar Ahmed in the 18th over, with 15 still needed, set the stage for a grandstand finish. The experience of Shadab Khan proved invaluable. Facing the crafty Hasaranga and the pace of Matheesha Pathirana in the death overs, Shadab targeted the 19th over, bowled by Dasun Shanaka, smashing a six and a four to bring the equation down to a manageable 5 runs from the final over. He finished unbeaten on 30 from 24 balls, a match-winning knock that showcased his growing maturity as a finisher.
What This Victory Means
This victory is a massive boost for Pakistan's campaign. After a disappointing loss to India in their opening match, this win against a strong Sri Lankan side was essential to keep their tournament alive. The points table is now tightly contested, and this result effectively eliminates Sri Lanka from final contention. Pakistan's fate is now in their own hands; a victory against Bangladesh in their final Super Four match will see them through to the final, where they are likely to face arch-rivals India once again.
The match also highlighted several positive takeaways for Pakistan, particularly the performance of their spin attack and the composure shown by Shadab Khan with the bat. However, concerns remain over the middle-order fragility that nearly cost them the game. Captain Babar Azam acknowledged the area for improvement, noting, "While we are happy with the win, we need to address the batting collapse. We cannot afford such lapses against top teams."
Looking Ahead: The Final Hurdle
The stage is now set for a high-stakes clash against Bangladesh. Pakistan will be wary of the Bangladeshi tigers, who have shown they can be a dangerous opponent on their day. The Pakistani team will be hoping for a more cohesive batting performance to secure their place in the final. For Sri Lanka, the defeat marks the end of their title defense, a disappointing outcome for the 2023 champions who fought valiantly but ultimately fell short in two close encounters.
In the end, the match in Abu Dhabi was a classic example of the pressure-cooker environment of the Asia Cup. Pakistan, often criticized for faltering in tight situations, showed immense character to secure a win that not only keeps them in the tournament but also sends a strong message to their rivals. As one commentator put it, "This wasn't a pretty win, but it might just be the kind of gritty victory that galvanizes a team for the challenges ahead." All eyes will now be on their decisive match against Bangladesh, with a spot in the final on the line.