🇵🇰 Pakistan Shaheens Edge Out Sri Lanka A in Thriller to Enter Asia Cup Rising Stars Final
A Complete 2025 Match Analysis, Player Performances, Turning Points & What Lies Ahead
The Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship 2025 continues to deliver world-class drama, nail-biting finishes, and rising talent that promises to shape the future of Asian cricket. On a gripping Friday night in Doha, the Pakistan Shaheens secured a five-run victory over Sri Lanka A to book their place in the prestigious final against Bangladesh A.
What unfolded at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium was not just another T20 clash — it was a masterclass in pressure handling, spin brilliance, tactical adaptation, and the unwavering spirit of Pakistan’s young guns.
This full-length analysis breaks down every key moment, every performance, and every strategic masterstroke that defined the contest.
🔥 A Semi-Final That Had Everything
The stakes were enormous.
A spot in the Asia Cup Rising Stars Final.
Two of the strongest youth-development teams in Asia.
An electric Doha crowd.
A pitch offering grip, bounce, and unpredictability.
Pakistan Shaheens were tasked with defending 153 runs, a total that looked competitive but far from comfortable on a quick outfield and under lights that favor chasing sides.
Sri Lanka A started like a house on fire, smashing 29 runs in the first two overs. But cricket often doesn’t reward only aggression — it rewards discipline, patience, and smart decision-making. Pakistan’s young bowlers brought all three elements together to choke Sri Lanka from 74/2 to 99/8.
It was a collapse that shifted pressure entirely on the Lankan middle order, who fought back bravely but fell agonizingly short.
🏏 Pakistan’s Batting: A Rollercoaster of Explosive Starts & Mid-Innings Collapse
Pakistan Shaheens’ batting innings was a story of three major phases — a blazing start, a damaging collapse, and a steady rebuilding effort.
🚀 Fast Start: Naeem & Maaz Bring Early Fire
The opening pair, Mohammad Naeem and Maaz Sadaqat, provided the kind of aggressive intent Pakistan needed. Both took advantage of width, hard lengths, and powerplay field restrictions.
Maaz Sadaqat looked especially dangerous, smashing:
- 23 off 11 balls
- 2 sixes and 2 fours
- A strike rate over 200
His fearless approach continues to make him one of the most promising top-order batters in Pakistan’s pipeline.
But with aggression comes risk — and after the explosive start, wickets began to tumble.
⚠️ Middle-Order Meltdown: From 40/1 to 62/5
The middle overs belonged entirely to Sri Lanka A’s bowlers. Mathew and Rathnayake dismantled Pakistan’s rhythm with sharp swing and deceptive pace variations.
In a span of just 4 overs, Pakistan lost:
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Yasir Khan
- Mohammad Faiq
- Captain Irfan Khan
By the 8th over, Pakistan were 62/5, staring at a below-par total on a batting-friendly pitch.
🧱 The Partnership That Saved the Shaheens
This is where the match began its first big shift.
💪 Saad Masood & Ghazi Ghori to the Rescue
The duo stitched a crucial 47-run stand, steadying nerves and rebuilding the innings brick by brick.
- Ghazi Ghori remained unbeaten on 39, playing the anchor’s role with maturity beyond his age.
- Saad Masood added 22 off 25, rotating strike and frustrating Lankan bowlers.
This partnership ensured Pakistan crossed 100 — a psychological milestone in T20 cricket.
💥 Daniyal’s Late-Over Explosion
With just 3 overs left, Pakistan needed a spark — and Ahmed Daniyal delivered a powerhouse cameo.
- 22 off just 8 balls
- Three towering sixes
- A strike rate of 275.00
His hitting gave Pakistan the final push to reach 153/9, a total that looked modest but defendable with disciplined bowling.
🌀 Sri Lanka’s Run Chase: A Tale of Two Extremes
Chasing 154, Sri Lanka A began with wild aggression but ended in pure desperation.
⚡ A Furious Start by Croospulle
Lasith Croospulle played one of the most destructive cameos in Rising Stars history:
- 27 off 7 balls
- 3 sixes & 2 fours
- Strike rate of 385.71
He dismantled Pakistan’s opening bowlers, instantly putting pressure on the entire team.
But early success often breeds overconfidence.
🎯 Shaheens Strike Back: The Collapse Begins
Shahid Aziz broke the momentum by removing Croospulle.
Sufiyan Muqeem and Saad Masood then began weaving a web around the Lankan middle order.
Between overs 7 and 14, Sri Lanka collapsed from:
75/3 ➝ 99/8
This period featured:
- Misjudged sweeps
- Poor shot selection
- Brilliant spin variations
- Pakistan fielding intensity peaking at the perfect time
This collapse became the defining phase of the match.
💎 Rathnayake’s Resistance: A Lone Warrior
Milan Rathnayake played a fighting innings under immense pressure:
- 40 off 32 balls
- 5 fours and 1 six
He almost carried Sri Lanka home, especially in the final two overs where he expertly targeted the straight boundaries.
But with nine wickets down and 8 runs needed off 4 balls, the pressure finally cracked the last pair.
🎯 Star Performers of the Match
⭐ Saad Masood (Player of the Match)
A complete all-round performance:
- 22 crucial runs
- 3 wickets for just 18
- Game-changing spells
- Composure under pressure
His role in both batting recovery and bowling brilliance made him the standout performer.
🔥 Sufiyan Muqeem
Figures: 4 overs, 12 runs, 3 wickets
He was unplayable.
Turn, drift, accuracy — a perfect spin masterclass.
🧱 Ghazi Ghori
The unsung hero of Pakistan’s innings, scoring an unbeaten 39 off 36 when the rest of the team collapsed around him.
🧠 Tactical Breakdown: How the Shaheens Outplayed Sri Lanka
🎯 1. Smart Use of Spin
The pitch was gripping slightly — Pakistan recognized this early and switched to spin domination.
The result?
Sri Lanka’s stroke-makers failed to adapt.
🎯 2. Middle-Overs Choke
Pakistan bowled 34 dot balls between overs 7 and 14.
This suffocated Sri Lanka’s chase, forcing risky shots.
🎯 3. Field Placements
Captain Irfan Khan deserves credit for:
- Placing extra cover sweepers
- Cutting angles for power hitters
- Using deep midwicket to trap sweep shots
🎯 4. Controlled Aggression
Even after Sri Lanka’s flying start, Shaheens did not panic.
They stuck to plans, bowled to fields, and chipped away.
This mental discipline is what won the match.
🏆 What This Win Means for Pakistan Shaheens
This victory signifies:
- Pakistan’s youth system is producing mentally strong cricketers
- Shaheens can defend low totals
- Their spinners can win matches under pressure
- They enter the final with confidence and momentum
Most importantly, it sets up a mouth-watering final against Bangladesh A.
🇧🇩 The Final: Pakistan Shaheens vs Bangladesh A Live What to Expect
Bangladesh A have been outstanding in the tournament with:
- Fast, attacking batting
- Disciplined seamers
- Smart middle-over bowling
Pakistan will need:
- A stronger top order
- Better powerplay control with the ball
- Continued spin dominance
This final has the makings of a classic.
🧠 Cricketory Insights: What This Match Really Reveals
The Pakistan Shaheens vs Sri Lanka A semi-final wasn’t just a thrilling encounter — it exposed several deeper truths about the future of Asian cricket.
🔍 1. Pakistan Is Developing World-Class Spinners Again
Sufiyan Muqeem and Saad Masood showed that Pakistan’s spin depth is rising fast. Their ability to turn the game during middle overs mirrors the legacy of Ajmal, Hafeez, and Afridi.
🔍 2. Sri Lanka A Needs Middle-Order Stability
Despite a flying start, Sri Lanka collapsed—something that has become a recurring pattern in their youth cricket. Their development programs must focus on handling pressure phases.
🔍 3. Pakistan’s Mental Discipline Has Improved
Defending a modest total of 153 despite a brutal early assault shows strong temperament. This is one area where Pakistan youth teams historically struggled.
🔍 4. The Asia Cup Rising Stars Is Now a Genuine Talent Pipeline
This tournament is no longer “just another event.” It’s shaping the next generation of international players — and this match proved it decisively.
📊 Cricketory Tactical Analysis: Why Pakistan Won
🎯 1. Brilliant Spin Use on a Gripping Surface
Pakistan realized early that seamers were leaking runs. Switching to spin from both ends strangled Sri Lanka.
🎯 2. The Middle-Overs Trap
Pakistan bowled 34 dot balls between overs 7 and 14 — nearly SIX overs of pressure.
This stretch won the match.
🎯 3. Field Placements for Sweeps & Big Shots
Irfan Khan’s captaincy stood out. The traps for sweep shots and angled boundaries were perfectly executed.
🎯 4. Sri Lanka’s Shot Selection Implosion
Instead of rotating strike when spin intensified, Lankan batters kept playing across the line.
This tactical stubbornness caused their collapse.
📊 Full Score Summary
Pakistan Shaheens: 153/9 (20 overs)
Sri Lanka A: 148 all out (20 overs)
Shaheens won by 5 runs
🎤 Final Thoughts: A Thriller That Announced Tomorrow’s Stars
The Asia Cup Rising Stars exists to showcase the future — and this match did exactly that.
From Croospulle’s fireworks to Ghori’s calmness, from Sufiyan’s spin magic to Rathnayake’s resilience, the semi-final highlighted the raw talent, hunger, and maturity of Asia’s young cricketers.
For Pakistan fans, this win is a sign of great things ahead.
For Sri Lanka, it’s a reminder of the need for better middle-order composure.
But for cricket lovers — it was simply a masterpiece.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why was Saad Masood given Player of the Match?
A: Because he contributed both with bat and ball — 22 clutch runs + 3 key wickets — and changed the game twice.
Q2. What was the turning point of the match?
A: The overs 7–14 phase where Sri Lanka went from 75/3 to 99/8. Pakistan’s spinners dismantled the chase.
Q3. How did Pakistan defend a low total?
A: Through disciplined spin, smart field placements, and executing dot-ball pressure during the middle overs.
Q4. Who impressed the most among Pakistan’s young batters?
A: Ghazi Ghori’s unbeaten 39 under pressure and Daniyal’s late six-hitting cameo stood out.
Q5. Can Pakistan Shaheens beat Bangladesh A in the final?
A: Yes — but only if the top order delivers. Pakistan’s bowlers are good enough to win them the trophy.