Pakistan stun Sri Lanka with Nawaz’s sixes to stay alive in Asia Cup 2025 Super Four

Match overview

At Sheikh Zayed Stadium, the pressure was palpable as Pakistan and Sri Lanka faced off in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage. After each team suffered a crushing loss in their opening Super Four games, the encounter turned into a must‑win for both. Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali won the toss and chose to bowl, a decision influenced by the dry, hard pitch that still offered a little grass for early movement.

Sri Lanka began positively, with openers carving out a steady start. However, Pakistan’s bowlers kept it tight, and the Sri Lankan side never managed a big partnership. Dushmantha Chameera, the leading pacer, kept his economy low, conceding just 13 runs in his first three overs, and looked set to suffocate the chase.

When the target finally arrived, Pakistan’s innings wobble was evident. At 126/5 they needed eight runs off 17 balls – a scenario that often turns into a tense finish. That was when left‑handed all‑rounder Mohammad Nawaz stepped up. In the 18th over, he launched a three‑ball onslaught, hitting six, six, and six straight off Chameera’s deliveries. Those sixes not only sealed the win but also turned a nervous finish into a spectacular showcase of power hitting.

The winning partnership between Nawaz and Talat, which added a crucial 50 runs, underscored the importance of lower‑order contributions in T20 cricket. Their composure after early wickets provided a platform for Nawaz’s final burst, and the duo’s finish sent the crowd at Abu Dhabi into a frenzy.

Implications for the Super Four

Before this match, India and Bangladesh sat atop the Super Four table with two points each, separated only by net‑run rate. Sri Lanka occupied third, while Pakistan languished at the bottom with zero points. The five‑wicket victory catapulted Pakistan into the points pool and gave their net‑run rate a sizable boost, making their final game decisive for a place in the final.

Sri Lanka’s journey to this point had been a story of contrasts. An unbeaten run through the group stage raised expectations, but a loss to Bangladesh exposed fragility in their middle order. Dasun Shanaka’s aggressive knock against Bangladesh offered a glimpse of resilience, yet Pathum Nissanka’s dip in form left the batting line‑up looking thin when it mattered most.

For Pakistan, the win was more than just three points; it revived belief after a dismal start to the Super Four. The psychological lift from overturning a dire situation cannot be overstated. Fans and pundits alike highlighted Nawaz’s three sixes as a turning point, a reminder of how a single over can reshuffle a tournament’s narrative.

The final round of the Super Four now promises a thrilling climax. India and Bangladesh will aim to maintain their early advantage, while Sri Lanka will look to recover lost ground. Pakistan, with momentum on their side, will aim to finish strong and secure a spot in the final.

Overall, the match illustrated the volatile nature of T20 cricket – where a six‑ball spell can change fortunes instantaneously. Nawaz’s heroics will be replayed again and again, cementing his place in Asia Cup 2025 lore and keeping Pakistan’s fans hopeful for a deep tournament run. Pakistan cricket fans now have a reason to stay optimistic as the race for the final intensifies.