NEW DELHI: Pakistan survived a fiery spell from Wanindu Hasaranga to edge past Sri Lanka by five wickets in a high-stakes Super 4 clash at the Asia Cup on Tuesday, keeping their tournament hopes alive. Chasing a modest 134, Pakistan stumbled at times but ultimately finished at 138 for five.The conditions were tricky for batting, yet Pakistan’s openers attacked from the outset. Sahibzada Farhan (24) compensated for a slow start from Fakhar Zaman (17 off 19 balls), launching some aggressive shots, including a 6, 6, 4 sequence off pacer Nuwan Thushara.Maheesh Theekshana (2/24) struck in the sixth over, dismissing Farhan and soon after Zaman, who had earlier been struck on the helmet by Dushmantha Chameera. Hasaranga (2/27) then took charge, claiming Saim Ayub and skipper Salman Agha, including a stunning ground-level catch at mid-off. His delivery that pinned back Ayub’s stump was a perfect example of subtle seam movement. In both dismissals, Hasaranga mimicked Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed’s hands-on-chest celebration, in retaliation for earlier banter.At 80 for five, the match was delicately poised, with Pakistan still needing 54 runs. Hussain Talat (32*, 30 balls) and Mohammad Nawaz (38*, 24 balls) calmly guided the chase, sealing a tense victory with two overs to spare.Earlier, Pakistan’s pacers had troubled the Sri Lankan lineup despite Kamindu Mendis’ elegant 50, restricting them to 133 for eight. Sri Lanka suffered an early collapse, losing in-form Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka cheaply. Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/28) struck first, trapping Mendis and then Nissanka, with Talat and wicketkeeper Haris completing the dismissals.Skipper Charith Asalanka and Kusal Perera attempted a mini-recovery with a 25-run partnership, but Perera was soon caught off Faheem Ashraf’s well-judged diving effort. In the eighth over, Talat and Rauf removed Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka in successive deliveries, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 58 for five.Mendis’ determined fifty and a 43-run partnership with Chamika Karunaratne pushed Sri Lanka past 100, but it wasn’t enough to challenge Pakistan, who held their nerve under pressure to secure a crucial win.
