The Sri Lanka cricket team got knocked out of the Asia Cup 2025 after Pakistan outplayed them in all 3 facets of the game. The Men in Green displayed a never-say-die attitude & are now one step closer to qualifying for the final. Pakistan chased down 134 runs with 2 overs remaining as it was a near-perfect day for Pakistan & fans who played to their potential & decimated Sri Lanka. Let’s look at the reasons for Sri Lanka’s defeat & their exit from the Asia Cup 2025.
Lack of contributions from the top order hurt Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was asked to bat first by Pakistan. The top order: Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka & Kusal Perera weren’t at all able to trouble the scorers as the trio were out in the power-play overs itelf. It was quite astonishing to see that the sheer raw pace of Shaheen Afridi & Haris Rauf was too hot to handle for Sri Lankan batters. Sri Lanka was reduced to 43-3 in 5.2 overs.
Sri Lanka’s innings then never really took off as the middle order was tested again. The bulk of scoring over the last 6 months or year has been done by the top order as skipper Charith Asalanka & Kamindu Mendis had an arudous task ahead for them. The pitch all of a sudden became a minefield as Sri Lankan batters couldn’t adjust their game-plan according to the surface.
Forgettable day for Sri Lanka’s lower middle order
Sri Lanka’s seasoned campaigner Dasun Shanaka was batting at No.6 position. It was quite perplexing to see how Dasun Shanaka got demoted to No.6 despite smashing a 64 runs knock against Bangladesh at No.5 position. The change in batting position of Dasun Shanaka not only hamper Sri Lanka’s tactics but exposed the lower middle order. Sri Lanka was reduced to 58-5 in 7.3 overs when Shanaka got out.
The decision to play Chamika Karunaratne and drop Dunith Wellalage didn’t yield results as well. Chamika Karunaratne played a bit bizzarre knock of 17 runs in 21 balls which isn’t a great knock in modern T20I irrespective what situation team is in. Despite Sri Lanka having a deep batting line up, they weren’t able to set a target in excess of 150 which might have given them a good chance to win the match.
Questionable captaincy by Charith Asalanka
Sri Lanka badly needed early wickets but Fakhar Zaman & Sahibzada Farhan negated the threat of swing and turn very smartly. The sly spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers who took a 2 wicket haul but in a small run chase of 134 runs, a 4 wicket haul or more was needed from him.
It was quit confusing that Dasun Shanaka wasn’t given an over despite against Bangladeshi Tigers, he had taken 2 wickets in his 2.5 overws and gave away 21 runs. It would sound very harsh but Charith Asalanka showed faith in himself (*as a bowler) & Chamika Karunaratne to take wickets and stop the flow of runs which was can be said as one of the biggest mistakes which cost the island nation the match. Asalanka & Chamika conceded combined 22 runs in 3 overs and also didn’t pick a wicket which deepend the agony for Sri Lanka.
What lies ahead for Sri Lanka & Pakistan
The island nation now would be aiming to salvage some pride in their last fixture against India on 26th September at Dubai. The island nation though have a very thin chance of qualifying for Final but for that a lot of results have to go in their favor & most importantly they have to defeat India & find a way to win against all odds.
Pakistan on the other hand would believe that they can play their ‘A’ game and surprise the opponent against the run of play. It’s not rosy for Men in Green, as still there are concerns given their top order is not reliant. Pakistan though would be delighted how Hussain Talat played a gem of a knock as his contribution was invauable in the win. Pakistan though can’t afford to relax as they need to beat Bangladesh on 25th September with a good margin as there are high chances that India, Pakistan & Bangladesh all three of them have 6 points and NRR might come into action.