Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Match Preview

Match Context: Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Match Preview

The Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours stage heats up as Pakistan lock horns with Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. Both sides suffered defeats in their opening Super Fours games, making this a virtual must-win for semifinal qualification hopes.

Sri Lanka have been a dominant force in recent years against Pakistan, winning their last five head-to-head encounters. Pakistan, however, will look to overturn that streak with their new-look batting unit and spin attack.

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Date & Time: September 23, 2025, 6:30 PM (Local)
Fixture: 15th Match, Super Fours, Men’s T20 Asia Cup

Current Standings – Super Fours

• Sri Lanka: Played 1, Lost 1, NRR –0.121
• Pakistan: Played 1, Lost 1, NRR –0.689

Both teams are searching for their first win in this stage, so stakes couldn’t be higher.

Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)

• Pakistan: ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ ❌
• Sri Lanka: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌

Sri Lanka enter with better overall momentum, but Pakistan’s inconsistency means they can be unpredictable on their day.

Players to Watch

Pakistan

• Sahibzada Farhan – 269 runs in 10 matches, strike rate 119.55, key opener who must provide stability.
• Fakhar Zaman – 260 runs @ 37.14 avg, SR 138.29, Pakistan’s in-form aggressor.
• Mohammad Nawaz – 12 wickets in last 9 games, SR 14, reliable left-arm spin option.
• Abrar Ahmed – Mystery spinner with 10 wickets @ economy 4.61, could be crucial on Abu Dhabi’s surfaces.

Sri Lanka

• Pathum Nissanka – 362 runs @ 36.2 avg, SR 149.58, consistent at the top order.
• Kusal Mendis – 278 runs @ 30.89 avg, SR 131.13, capable of quickfire knocks.
• Dushmantha Chameera – 13 wickets in 7 matches, a strike bowler in the powerplay.
• Nuwan Thushara – 10 wickets in 8 matches, adds depth to Sri Lanka’s pace attack.

Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches)

• 11-Sep-2022 – Sri Lanka won by 23 runs
• 09-Sep-2022 – Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets (18 balls remaining)
• 09-Oct-2019 – Sri Lanka won by 13 runs
• 07-Oct-2019 – Sri Lanka won by 35 runs
• 05-Oct-2019 – Sri Lanka won by 64 runs

Sri Lanka 5–0 Pakistan (last five). Pakistan’s last win over Sri Lanka in T20Is came way back in 2017.

Pitch & Conditions – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

• Typically a balanced surface, assisting spinners in middle overs.
• Batters who settle can score big, but stroke play is not always easy.
• Dew might influence captains to chase after winning the toss.
• Par score: Around 160–165.

Key Battles

• Fakhar Zaman vs Dushmantha Chameera – Attack vs pace upfront.
• Pathum Nissanka vs Abrar Ahmed – Set batter vs mystery spin in the middle.
• Mohammad Nawaz vs Kusal Mendis – Spin vs attacking stroke-maker in the middle overs.

Prediction Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s superior head-to-head record gives them a psychological edge, but Pakistan’s spin duo of Nawaz and Abrar could be game-changers in Abu Dhabi conditions.

Slight Edge: Sri Lanka, unless Pakistan’s top order fires big.