NEW DELHI: Pakistan survived a fiery spell from Wanindu Hasaranga to edge previous Sri Lanka by 5 wickets in a high-stakes Super 4 conflict on the Asia Cup on Tuesday, retaining their event hopes alive. Chasing a modest 134, Pakistan stumbled at occasions however in the end completed at 138 for 5.The circumstances have been tough for batting, but Pakistan’s openers attacked from the outset. Sahibzada Farhan (24) compensated for a gradual begin from Fakhar Zaman (17 off 19 balls), launching some aggressive pictures, together with a 6, 6, 4 sequence off pacer Nuwan Thushara.Maheesh Theekshana (2/24) struck in the sixth over, dismissing Farhan and quickly after Zaman, who had earlier been struck on the helmet by Dushmantha Chameera. Hasaranga (2/27) then took cost, claiming Saim Ayub and skipper Salman Agha, together with a surprising ground-level catch at mid-off. His supply that pinned again Ayub’s stump was an ideal instance of delicate seam motion. In each dismissals, Hasaranga mimicked Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed’s hands-on-chest celebration, in retaliation for earlier banter.At 80 for 5, the match was delicately poised, with Pakistan nonetheless 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 regardless of Kamindu Mendis’ elegant 50, proscribing them to 133 for eight. Sri Lanka suffered an early collapse, shedding 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 finishing the dismissals.Skipper Charith Asalanka and Kusal Perera tried a mini-recovery with a 25-run partnership, however Perera was quickly caught off Faheem Ashraf’s well-judged diving effort. In the eighth over, Talat and Rauf eliminated Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka in successive deliveries, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 58 for 5.Mendis’ decided fifty and a 43-run partnership with Chamika Karunaratne pushed Sri Lanka previous 100, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to problem Pakistan, who held their nerve below stress to safe a vital win.
