Benefiting from Abu Dhabi’s desert lights, Sri Lanka walked into the match with purpose, only to walk away with a heavy dose of regret. We had witnessed the Sri Lankan bowlers fuel a fightback against the odds at times during the tournament, and at 133/8, it looked like a defendable score, provided the bowlers hunted as a pack. Instead, Pakistan took a calm stroll to the finish line with 12 balls to spare, capitalizing on some timely hitting and Sri Lanka’s mistakes.
The top-order wobble that sets the tone
When your scoreboard reads 1/1 after two deliveries, you already know it’s going to be a painfully long night. Kusal Mendis flicked Shaheen Shah Afridi directly to midwicket, and Pathum Nissanka scratched a ball down to the keeper. The felt collapse of Sri Lanka’s batting allowed for no fast starts, only slow crawls. Kamindu Mendis made a sound 50 off 44, but had zero support.
Charith Asalanka poked at one, Dasun Shanaka survived only a ball, and Wanindu Hasaranga’s innings ended prematurely despite a prompt start. With no base to work off, the innings turned into a bunch of solo hits. When it came to the death overs, Chamika Karunaratne was hitting singles instead of sixes. A team that could’ve posted 160+ posted a mangled total of 133 instead.
Hussain Talat, the silent assassin
While Shaheen broke the door down, Hussain Talat walked in and stole the show. He took 2/18 with the ball, including the prized wicket of captain Asalanka, and a golden duck for Shanaka, ripping the heart out of Sri Lanka’s middle order. Not done there, Talat used the bat to ice the chase, like a finished player.
His 32 only featured three boundaries off 30, but that is exactly the knock Pakistan needed when wickets fell. Working with Mohammad Nawaz, who blasted 38 off 24, Talat took what looked like a potential scrap and turned it into a still march. In a match with useful margins, Talat’s all-round match-winner tilted the pendulum right into Pakistan’s direction.
Failure to adapt to conditions
Abu Dhabi’s surface had grip for spinners and favored brains over brawn. Pakistan understood that and squeezed runs through rotation and waited for the loose ball. Sri Lanka tended to act like they were back in Colombo, swinging hard instead of nudging smart. Theekshana and Hasaranga bowled with intent, taking four wickets between them, but the seamers leaked too many freebies.
Thushara and Chameera went for a combined 60 in 7 overs, leaking boundaries when they needed to apply pressure. To make matters worse, they batted like they were stale, dot balls mounted while Pakistan made their chase look easy. By the time Nawaz swung into six, Sri Lanka’s shoulders had already slumped.
In the end, this was not a demolition – it was death by a thousand cuts. Shaheen’s early strikes took out the top, Talat’s dual strike scooped out the middle, and Nawaz’s fireworks buried the chase.
FAQs
1: What was the main reason Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan?
A shaky top-order collapse left Sri Lanka with an under-par total of 133.
2: Who was the Player of the Match?
Hussain Talat won it for his all-round show—32* runs and 2 wickets.
3: Which Sri Lankan batter stood out in the match?
Kamindu Mendis top-scored with a fighting 50 off 44 balls.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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