Pakistan cricketers have been in the spotlight more for their antics on the field than their achievements. If it was Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match against Team India, on Tuesday it was Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed’s turn to hog the limelight.
Abrar bowled a brilliant spell against Sri Lanka in their must-win Super 4 match at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi – giving away only 8 runs in 4 overs. But it was his actions after claiming the lone wicket on Wanindu Hasaranga which became the talk of the town. Abrar trolled Sri Lanka and Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner Hasaranga with his signature celebration after dismissing him for 15.
Hasaranga, who was bought for Rs 5.25 crore by Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals at the IPL 2025 mega auction last year, wasn’t impressed by Abrar’s actions. The Lankan all-rounder gave back Abrar his own medicine with the Pakistan leg-spinner’s signature pose after picking up a brilliant catch to dismiss Fakhar Zaman and also after dismissing Saim Ayub. The video of Hasaranga trolling Abrar Ahmed soon went viral on social media.
🚨 PEAK MOMENT’S
– NEWTON THIRD LAW
– ACTION VS REACTION
– INTERESTING 😎🆒 #PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/Cy2kJD9krp— Rana Ahmed (@RanaAhmad056) September 23, 2025
Pakistan, however, had the last laugh in the contest as they defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets and two balls to spare to keep their hopes of reaching Sunday’s final alive. After their six-wicket loss to Team India last Sunday, Pakistan also now have 2 points from two matches – same as India and Bangladesh above them, although they have only played in one game each.
Chasing 134 to win, Pakistan were reduced to 80 for 5 by the Lankans with Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana claiming two wickets each but a 58-run sixth wicket partnership between Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz led Salman Ali Agha’s side to victory.
Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha was impressed by Abrar Ahmed’s display to restrict Sri Lanka to 133 for 8 after they batter first. “Abrar has been bowling well. Whenever we are in a difficult situation, I go to him. Hope he can continue like this for many more seasons for Pakistan,” Salman said in the post-match presentation.
“We lost four wickets in three overs. Apart from that, it was a perfect game. We need to stop these,” he added.
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