Hussain Talat’s all-round performance has guided Pakistan to a 5-wicket victory in the Super 4s clash of the Asia Cup 2025 against Sri Lanka on September 23 at Abu Dhabi.
His two-wicket haul and 32* run knock have helped the side to chase the 134-run target with ease in Tuesday’s clash.
Batting first, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis opened the innings while Shaheen Afridi opened the bowling attack. Afridi secured the first wicket by dismissing Mendis for a duck. In his next over, he went on to bag the wicket of Pathum Nissanka for 8 runs.
Despite Kusal Perera (15) and Charith Asalanka (20) tried to stabilise the innings they went back to dugout by Haris Rauf and Talat.
Talat went on bag his second wicket of Dasun Shanaka (0) in the innings as Sri Lanka lost fifth wicket for 58 runs.
However, Kamindu Mendis went on to smash 50 runs off 44 deliveries which included 3 fours and 2 sixes.
Meanwhile, Wanindu Hasaranga went on to score 15 runs before being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed.
With Chamika Karunaratne’s 17* runs, Sri Lanka went on to score 133 runs in their 20 over innings.
Shaheen Afridi went on to bag three wickets while Harid Rauf and Hussain Talat went on bag two wickets each.
In the pursuit of chasing 134 run target, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman went on to opened the innings while Nuwan Thushara opened the bowling attack.
After the openers made a decent start, Farhan lost his wicket to Theekshana for 24 runs. With Fakhar Zaman lost his wicket for 46 runs, Saim Ayub and Salman Agha went on to lose their wickets for 2 and 5 runs to Wanindu Hasaranga.
After Haris’ dismissal for 13 runs, Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz went on to forge a partnership putting the side in the path toward victory.
With Hussain Talat (32*) and Mohammad Nawaz (38*) has helped Pakistan to complete the chase in the 18th over.
Hussain Talat was named the Player of the match. Speaking at the post match conference, Talat said, “It is difficult as it is hot. The conditions were not easy. I took my time. The conditions don’t allow you to go full fledged even if you want to play aggressive cricket. The captain and coach talked to me.”
“The plan was to go and attack. But I backed my gut feeling. I wanted to take some time and then felt the boundaries will come. There was a lot of humidity. My energy was low.”
“At the end, we decided he (Nawaz) will go for the big shots. I have been working on my bowling quite a lot with the bowling coach. I had to back my plan B. If I bowl two good overs, I knew my team will benefit,” concluded Talat.
