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Pakistan Shaheens booked their place in the final of the Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 after edging Sri Lanka A by just five runs in a dramatic last-ball thriller at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on Friday night. Defending a modest 153, Shaheens held their nerve in a match that swung back and forth until the final delivery.
With this victory, Pakistan advance to the final where they will take on Bangladesh A on Sunday, 23 November, at the same venue. A win will secure their maiden T20 Asia Cup Rising Stars title, complementing their 50-over triumphs in 2019 and 2023.
Wrist-Spinners Turn the Game
Pakistan’s defence of 153 was anchored by a brilliant spell of wrist-spin from Sufyan Moqim and Saad Masood. The pair delivered exceptional control, turning the momentum in their team’s favour with combined figures of 6 for 30 in eight overs.
At one stage, Sri Lanka A were cruising at 74 for 2 in just 7.2 overs, scoring at over ten an over. But the introduction of spin changed everything. Sri Lanka would go on to lose eight wickets for just 84 runs, collapsing under the pressure created by Pakistan’s disciplined bowling.
Rathnayake’s Fightback Sparks Tension
Despite the middle-order collapse, Sri Lanka A remained in the contest thanks to Milan Rathnayake, who came in at 79 for 6 and almost stole the match with a courageous 40 off 32 balls. His innings featured five fours and a six, and he shared a 47-run stand with Traveen Mathew (4 not out) to revive their hopes.
Needing 46 from the last four overs, Rathnayake kept the pressure on Pakistan by scoring 25 runs across the 17th and 18th overs combined. Sri Lanka looked set to cross the line as Ubaid Shah began the final over with the Shaheens needing to defend 15 runs.
The pressure intensified when three wides and a boundary came off the first two balls. But Ubaid struck back immediately with a perfect yorker, trapping Rathnayake lbw and turning the match yet again. With six needed off the final delivery, No.11 Garuka Sanketh swung hard but failed to connect, handing Shaheens a memorable five-run win.
Sri Lanka’s Fiery Start
Earlier in the chase, Sri Lanka A got off to a blazing start courtesy of opener Lasith Croospulle, who smashed 27 off just seven deliveries—including two fours and three sixes. His impact was brief but explosive, putting Pakistan under early pressure.
Player of the Match Saad Masood, introduced in the fourth over, struck with his very first impact moment by removing Nishan Madushka. Sri Lanka ended the powerplay at an impressive 67 for 2.
However, Sufyan Moqim turned the match decisively when he dismissed two batters in three deliveries in the eighth over, including the well-set Vishen Halambage (29 off 27). With wickets falling regularly, Pakistan tightened their grip.
Ahmed Daniyal removed captain Dunith Wellalage in the ninth over, while Sufyan and Saad kept applying pressure. Saad struck again in the 12th and 14th overs, reducing Sri Lanka to 99 for 8, before Rathnayake’s resistance brought the game alive again.
In the end, Sufyan and Saad’s outstanding spells—3 for 12 and 3 for 18 respectively—proved decisive.
Pakistan Recover After Early Collapse
Batting first, Shaheens stumbled to 62 for 5 after Sri Lanka decided to bowl. Openers Maaz Sadaqat (23 off 11) and Mohammad Naeem (16 off 15) gave a brisk start with 30 runs in under four overs. However, the momentum didn’t last as Sri Lanka struck four quick blows, reducing Pakistan to 40 for 1 and later 62 for 5.
The recovery came through Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, who top-scored with an unbeaten 39 off 36 balls, and Saad Masood (22 off 25). The pair added a vital 47 runs for the sixth wicket, stabilizing the innings.
Late fireworks came from Ahmed Daniyal, whose explosive 22 off just 8 balls—featuring three sixes—took Pakistan to a competitive 153 for 9. Two of his sixes came in the 19th over and one in the final over, lifting the Shaheens’ total to something defendable.
For Sri Lanka, Pramod Madushan was the standout bowler with 4 for 29, while Traveen Mathew also impressed with 3 for 22.
Scores in Brief
2nd Semi-final – Pakistan Shaheens beat Sri Lanka A by 5 runs
Pakistan Shaheens: 153-9 (20 overs) – Muhammad Ghazi Ghori 39*, Maaz Sadaqat 23, Ahmed Daniyal 22, Saad Masood 22; Pramod Madushan 4-29, Traveen Mathew 3-22
Sri Lanka A: 148 all out (20 overs) – Milan Rathnayake 40, Vishen Halambage 29, Lasith Croospulle 27; Sufyan Moqim 3-12, Saad Masood 3-18
Player of the Match: Saad Masood (Pakistan Shaheens)
