Pakistan Shaheens pulled off a thrilling five-run win over Sri Lanka-A in the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 semifinal in Doha on Friday to make the final, where it will take on Bangladesh-A.
After being put into bat, Pakistan managed to post 153/9 after a stuttering start, being reduced to five down for 62 inside the eighth over. Contributions from Ghazi Gori (39 off 36 balls), Saad Masood (22 off 25) and Ahmed Daniyal (22 off 8) lifted Irfan Khan’s side to a challenging total.
Sri Lanka seemed to be coasting in its chase with openers Lasith Croospulle (27 off 7) and Vishen Halambage (29 off 27) providing a solid start.
But spinners Sufiyan Muqeem (3 for 12) and Saad Masood (3 for 18) ripped through Lankans’ batting to turn things around for Pakistan. Pakistan claimed six wickets for 25 runs to derail Sri Lanka’s chase.
Lanka’s Milan Rathnayake (40 off 32) threatened to steal it right at the death but Ubaid Shah defended 15 runs in the final over to seal the victory and set up the final clash for Sunday.
(Sportstar)
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