Pakistan overcame a remarkable spell from the furious spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to defeat Sri Lanka by five wickets in a gripping Super 4 match, keeping their Asia Cup hopes alive on Tuesday.

Chasing 134 should have been straightforward, but Pakistan nearly faltered before recovering to reach 138 for five.

The batting conditions were challenging, but Pakistan’s batters attacked early. Opener Sahibzada Farhan (24) compensated for a sluggish Fakhar Zaman (17 off 19 balls) at the other end, hitting some aggressive shots, including a sequence of 6, 6, 4 off pacer Nuwan Thushara.

However, Maheesh Theekshana (2/24) dismissed Farhan with the third ball of the sixth over and two balls later removed Zaman, who had earlier been struck flush on the helmet by Dushmantha Chameera.

Hasaranga (2/27)

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