Player of the Match
Player of the Match

Match Centre

Statistics

Best performances - Batsmen

PHKD Mendis
50(44) 3x4 - 2x6
Control %66%
  • Productive Shot
  • pull
  • 21 runs
  • 0x4 - 2x6
4 6 2 10 16 4 1 7
Mohammad Nawaz(3)
Mohammad Nawaz(3)
38(24) 3x4 - 3x6
Control %62%
  • Productive Shot
  • cover drive
  • 8 runs
  • 2x4 - 0x6
4 1 7 6 6 6 0 8

Best performances - Bowlers

Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shaheen Shah Afridi
O4
M0
R28
W3
Eco7
RHB
OFFLEG
2W
  • FTFULL TOSS
  • YYORKER
  • FFULL LENGTH
  • GGOOD LENGTH
  • SGSHORT OF GOOD LENGTH
  • SSHORT LENGTH
LHB
LEGOFF
1W
Hussain Talat
Hussain Talat
O3
M0
R18
W2
Eco6
RHB
OFFLEG
1W
  • FTFULL TOSS
  • YYORKER
  • FFULL LENGTH
  • GGOOD LENGTH
  • SGSHORT OF GOOD LENGTH
  • SSHORT LENGTH
LHB
LEGOFF
1W

Scorer: Thilak Ram | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar

END OF OVER:
18 | 18 Runs | PAK: 138/5 | RR: 7.66

  • Mohammad Nawaz38 (24b)
  • Hussain Talat32 (30b)
  • Dushmantha Chameera4-0-31-1
  • Wanindu Hasaranga4-0-27-2

11pm That will be all from us for tonight. We will be back again tomorrow as India and Bangladesh go at it. Until then, from Sudeep, Thilak and myself (Shashwat), it is goodbye!

Hussain Talat, Player of the Match: It is difficult, it is hot, we all know. But we all prepared for this time. Conditions were not easy, so I took my time. We want to play attacking cricket but, in the UAE, we cannot go full-fledged. But they (captain and coach) talked about playing with the field and going with our best shots. The plan was to go straightaway and attack. But I just backed my gut feeling. We lost two wickets when I went in to bat. My gut feeling was to take some time and that the boundaries would come. There was a lot of humidity and I told Nawaz that he will go (after the bowling) and that I will go after the bowling (if I get an opportunity). Hats off to him for the way he finished it. I was working on my bowling with the bowling coach. We all know that teams will go after me, so I have to back my plans. If I can bowl two good overs for the team, that will help. And then I knew I needed to do something with the bat as well, and got this (award).

Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan captain: Cannot say it was a perfect game. We lost four wickets in three overs, but apart from that, it could be a perfect game but we need to stop doing that. We have been doing that since Sharjah and we need to stop that. He (Shane McDermott) has been working with players really hard. We have named him rockstar, and are working hard with him. I have seen people doing extra things as well, and when you do this extra stuff, it does pay off in the ground. (On Shaheen) He has been outstanding since he came back in America. He has been bowling well for last so many years. He is an asset and a match-winner, and he is showing that every now and then. (On Talat) That is why we play so many all-rounders because nowadays, the game demands so many options in batting and bowling. I am very happy for him. Knowing him for several years, he has been working hard on his game and really happy for him. For Nawaz, he has so much potential (with the bat) and hopefully they can continue. He (Abrar) has been bowling really well. He is someone who I go for when we are in a difficult situation. Outstanding bowler and hopefully he can continue till the season end and for many years for Pakistan.

Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka captain: (On if they fell short with the bat) Definitely. If we lose five wickets before the tenth over, it will be really hard. The surface looked really good but they (Pakistan) bowled and fielded very well (at the start), and it was not an ideal time to lose wickets. We just scored 133, but we did not give up, we came and fought really hard. He (Hasaranga) is always a superstar in white-ball (cricket). He has done so many things for the country and is still doing it.

Yasser: "If Bangladesh lose tomorrow then it will be a virtual semi final for both Pakistan and Bangladesh. Winning team will play against India on 28th September" -- Sounds about right.

Asim: "Is SL out of the Asia Cup? " -- No. They can still make it theoretically. Although they now need Bangladesh to win both of their remaining games, and a win against India themselves, with the margin also needing to be big enough for SL to overhaul India and Pakistan's NRR.

10:34pm Well, that got a lot more nerve-racking than Pakistan would have wanted it to be. They burst out of the traps, dripping with intent and with Farhan getting off to a flier. But two wickets in the sixth over pegged Pakistan back, and they were dented further by Hasaranga, who pulled off a sensational catch and then bagged two vital wickets.

SL then opted to hold back Hasaranga's overs for later and that proved to be pivotal in the context of the game, with Nawaz and Talat building a solid partnership. Neither got into rhythm immediately but like Kamindu earlier in the day, they stuck at it and eventually Nawaz clicked into gear enough to help Pakistan cross the finish line. And to top it all off, Hasaranga and Abrar, who traded celebrations through the game, embrace.

17.6
6
Chameera to Mohammad Nawaz, SIX, over the leaping fielder at long on, and Nawaz seals the deal! Pakistan trump Sri Lanka in a nervy chase, and they have points on the board in the Super Four! Another off-pace delivery, although this lands in the slot on middle and leg. Nawaz winds up and wallops it flat over the fence. Pakistan were made to work hard but they needed just one substantial partnership, and that is what they got with Nawaz and Talat!
17.5
0
Chameera to Mohammad Nawaz, no run, slower ball on a length just outside off. Nawaz backs away but swings at it far too early. Not sure he picked that, and Pakistan have to wait to cross the finish line

Just two more needed now

17.4
6
Chameera to Mohammad Nawaz, SIX, right out of the screws, and Nawaz is in a hurry now! Marginally short on middle and leg, and Nawaz climbs into it. He stands up tall and whacks it over deep mid wicket!

The change in angle has worked so far for Chameera, but the damage may already have been done. Pakistan need just eight more now

17.3
0
Chameera to Mohammad Nawaz, no run, dug in again, on leg stump. Nawaz walks across, looking for the scoop but does not lay bat on ball
17.2
0
Chameera to Mohammad Nawaz, no run, banged into the track just outside leg. Nawaz backs away, trying to access the off side again but this time, only swishes at thin air

Over the wicket now

17.1
6
Chameera to Mohammad Nawaz, SIX, that is a stunning hit! Length ball laced with width and Nawaz says thank you very much. He throws the kitchen sink at it and carves it over deep point!

Talat is looking visibly exhausted and the physio is out to check on him. The Pakistan physio has had to do overtime today, and Talat looks pretty spent out there. Talat is good to go. Nawaz up against Chameera now. Around the wicket

Vishnu : "Sri Lanka needs a three wicket over, right now." -- Well, wouldn't that be handy...

Deepak M: "What did DRS show? Was that out? Hitting, Clipping or missing?" -- If you are referring to the lbw shout on 15.3, Ball Tracking returned with Umpire's Call, meaning that even if SL had a review up their sleeve, they would not have gotten the decision overturned.

Pakistan 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st45Fakhar ZamanSahibzada Farhan
2nd1Fakhar ZamanSaim Ayub
3rd4Agha SalmanSaim Ayub
4th7Agha SalmanHussain Talat
5th23Hussain TalatMohammad Haris
6th58Mohammad Nawaz (3)Hussain Talat

Men's T20 Asia Cup

Super Fours
TeamMWLPTNRR
IND33060.913
PAK32140.329
BAN3122-0.831
SL3030-0.418
Group A
TeamMWLPTNRR
IND33063.547
PAK32141.79
UAE3122-1.984
OMA3030-2.6
Group B
TeamMWLPTNRR
SL33061.278
BAN3214-0.27
AFG31221.241
HKG3030-2.151