Pakistan’s Bowling Bash: Sri Lanka Bundled for 133/8 – Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Shenanigans in Abu Dhabi!

By Raj the Cricket Nut, who’s still chuckling at Sri Lanka’s top-order tumble. Published: September 23, 2025, 7:00 PM IST

Hey cricket crazyheads, it’s September 23, 2025, and the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is buzzing like a beehive on steroids! The Asia Cup 2025 Super Four’s 15th match – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – just wrapped its first innings, and oh boy, what a comedy of errors for the Lankans. Pakistan won the toss, bowled first, and turned Sri Lanka’s batting into a bad dream, restricting them to a paltry 133/8 in 20 overs. Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spell led the charge, but with ducks flying faster than ducks in a row, this one’s got more laughs than a stand-up special. Will Pakistan chase this down like it’s a Sunday stroll, or will the Island boys pull a rabbit out of their helmets? Grab your popcorn – and maybe a raincoat for the dew – as we unpack this hilarious half!

Toss and Teams: Pakistan’s Bowling Bet Pays Off Big

Salman Agha called correctly at the toss and, eyeing the fresh pitch, opted to bowl – a decision that’s looking smarter than a fox in a henhouse. No surprises in the lineups: Pakistan went with Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed. Bench had Hasan Ali and the rest plotting backups. Sri Lanka countered with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, and Nuwan Thushara. Their bench included Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana, itching for a go.

Umpires Izatullah Safi and Masudur Rahman, with Gazi Sohel on third-ump duty and Richie Richardson as ref, kept things fair under Abu Dhabi’s lights. Weather? Clear skies, but dew’s lurking like a sneaky sibling. Pakistan’s support staff – Azhar Mahmood, Mike Hesson, and crew – must be grinning ear-to-ear already.

Sri Lanka’s Innings: Ducks and Drama Galore

Sri Lanka’s top order imploded faster than a bad soufflé. Opener Pathum Nissanka scratched 8 off 7 (SR 114.29) before Shaheen Afridi’s swing castled him, caught by Mohammad Haris at 18/2 in 2.2 overs. Kusal Mendis? A golden duck – first ball to Shaheen, caught by Hussain Talat at 1/1 in 0.2 overs. Kusal Perera fought with 15 off 12 (1 four, 1 six, SR 125.00) but holed out to Faheem Ashraf off Haris Rauf at 43/3 in 5.2. Charith Asalanka, the skipper, managed 20 off 19 (1 four, 1 six, SR 105.26) before Hussain Talat’s part-time spin had Haris Rauf pouching it at 58/4 in 7.2.

Dasun Shanaka? Another duck – caught by Haris off Talat at 58/5 in 7.3. Kamindu Mendis steadied with 50 off 44 (4 fours, 3 sixes, SR 113.64), but Shaheen returned to trap him lbw at 123/7 in 18.4. Wanindu Hasaranga chipped 15 off 13 (1 four, 1 six, SR 115.38) before Abrar’s googly bowled him at 80/6 in 12.1. Chamika Karunaratne (17* off 21, 1 four, 2 sixes, SR 80.95) and Dushmantha Chameera (12 off 0, SR 50.00? Wait, that’s a glitch – he scored 12 off 2, SR 600!) fought back, but Haris Rauf’s yorker got Chameera caught by Agha at 130/8 in 19.4. Maheesh Theekshana 0*, Nuwan Thushara DNB. Extras 7 (3 byes, 3 wides, 1 no-ball). Powerplay: 53 runs – solid start, soggy finish!

Key Moments: Ducks, Drama, and Abrar’s Magic

Sri Lanka’s collapse was a riot – two ducks in the first over alone! Shaheen’s 3/28 terrorized the top, while Hussain Talat’s 2/18 part-time wizardry stunned Asalanka and Shanaka back-to-back at 58/5. Kamindu’s gritty 50 was the lone bright spot, but Abrar’s miserly 1/8 (bowling Hasaranga) choked the middle. Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Mendis, 0.2), 18-2 (Nissanka, 2.2), 43-3 (Perera, 5.2), 58-4 (Asalanka, 7.2), 58-5 (Shanaka, 7.3), 80-6 (Hasaranga, 12.1), 123-7 (Kamindu, 18.4), 130-8 (Chameera, 19.4). Pakistan’s fielding? Sharp as a tack – Haris with two catches, Rauf’s yorker a killer.

• Star Bowler: Shaheen Afridi – 3/28, swing king strikes again.
• Lone Warrior: Kamindu Mendis – 50 off 44, keeping it alive.
• Comedy Gold: Back-to-back ducks at 58/5 – Sri Lanka’s top order on a coffee break?

Pakistan’s Chase: 134 on a Platter?

With 134 to win, Pakistan’s in dreamland – a target smaller than their egos after that bowling masterclass. Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan can set the tone, with Fakhar Zaman ready to unleash. Sri Lanka’s attack – Hasaranga, Theekshana, Chameera – has bite, but after that batting flop, morale’s in the dumps. Dew might help, but Pakistan’s 11-3 T20I edge over SL says cakewalk. Prediction? They’ll knock it off in 15 overs, leaving fans time for biryani.

Super Four Stakes: Points Table Shuffle

This win (assuming chase goes smooth) catapults Pakistan to 2 points, tying Sri Lanka at 0 after their loss. India leads with 2 from the Pak win, Bangladesh has 2 from SL. Next: Pak vs SL rematch? No, IND vs BAN, PAK vs SL again? Super Four’s round-robin – top two to final on 28th. Recent news: BCCI’s Manhas presidency nod, Tamim’s election rant – but tonight, it’s all about Pakistan’s pace parade.

In the end, this match is Asia Cup at its cheeky best: collapses, comebacks, and chuckles. Sri Lanka’s 133/8? A batting blooper reel. Pakistan’s turn to shine – or slip? Tune in, laugh along, and remember: Cricket’s funnier when it’s this foolish. Your chase prediction? Hit the comments!