Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in a high-stakes Super 4 clash at the Asia Cup on Tuesday, keeping their tournament hopes alive. (ACC Photo) 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 Pakistanâ€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 Ayubâ€s stump was a perfect example of subtle seam movement. In both dismissals, Hasaranga mimicked Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmedâ€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, Pakistanâ€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 Ashrafâ€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 wasnâ€t enough to challenge Pakistan, who held their nerve under pressure to secure a crucial win.
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