Kamindu Mendis Fights Lone Battle as Sri Lanka Post 133/8 Against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours

DUBAI, Sri Lanka were restricted to 133/8 in their allotted 20 overs, against Pakistan, in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours match, on a day when Kamindu Mendis made no less than two attempts to play his part.

Mendis stood at the crease with a confidence in his stride, rotating the strike intelligently and knowing how to punish if it was thrown carelessly, but his colleagues fell all around him. His well-calculated batting gave Sri Lanka the much-needed stability, but the other end did not support him, and pressure at the scoreboard never really diminished.

Pakistan’s bowlers dominated. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early (3–28), Haris Rauf chipped in with two key wickets (2–37), Hussain Talat grabbed two (2–18), and Abrar Ahmed kept things tight (1–8). Faheem Ashraf and Salman Agha also played supporting roles.

Even with all the hard work by Mendis, Sri Lanka struggled to quicken; the lower order was unable to turn the beginning into partnerships. The last overs that might have been a launch pad to quick runs were enhanced further by Pakistan, and no late flourish was achieved.

With a new target of 134, Pakistan will support their robust batting line in pursuit of it on a ground that still appears to be favourable to both spinners and pacers.