Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi put on a brilliant performance, taking three wickets as his team defeated Sri Lanka in a low-scoring affair in the Super Four stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.
With his three-wicket haul, Shaheen is now Pakistan’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to field. Shaheen immediately vindicated his captain’s decision by removing opener Kusal Mendis for a golden duck on the second ball of the innings. Mendis attempted a flick shot but was caught by Hussain Talat, who was positioned at mid-wicket.
In his next over, Shaheen struck again—this time dismissing Pathum Nissanka, who had already scored two fifties in the tournament. Nissanka hit him for a six off the first ball of the over, but Shaheen responded in the best way a bowler can—by taking his wicket on the very next delivery. Nissanka attempted to play across the line to a length ball outside off stump and was caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris.
Shaheen claimed his final wicket in the form of Kamindu Mendis, who top-scored for Sri Lanka with 50. The left-hander was trapped LBW by Shaheen in the penultimate over.
In his four over spell, Shaheen conceded 28 runs at an economy rate of 7.00. Sri Lanka managed only 133/8 in their 20 overs, which proved insufficient.
Prior to this game, Shaheen had been struggling with the ball. He was named Player of the Match against the UAE for his all-round performance, but in the two key matches against India, he failed to make an impact.
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