Pakistan Shaheens set the tone in the semifinal by posting a competitive total after a dynamic but fluctuating batting display. Maaz Sadaqat launched the innings with a blistering 23 off 11 balls, while Mohammad Naeem added 16 before both fell to Traveen Mathew, who dismantled Pakistan’s top order with an excellent 3-for. Pramod Madushan also struck regularly, reducing Pakistan to 84/5 by the halfway mark.
Ghazi Ghori played the stabilising role, crafting a crucial 39 off 36 balls as wickets continued to fall around him. Saad Masood’s patient 22 and a brief cameo from Shahid Aziz kept Pakistan afloat, but it was Ahmed Daniyal who produced the defining late assault. The right-hander smashed 22 off just eight deliveries, including three massive sixes, lifting Pakistan to a fighting 153/9 despite two late wickets from Madushan.
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Sri Lanka A replied with overwhelming aggression as Croospulle blasted 27 off seven balls and Halambage powered to 29, pushing them to 74/2 inside seven overs. But Pakistan’s bowlers turned the match dramatically. Sufiyan Muqeem spun the game on its head with a brilliant 12-3, removing Fernando, Halambage, and Mendis in quick succession. Saad Masood backed him perfectly with 18-3, triggering a collapse to 99/7.
Milan Rathnayake’s fighting 40 kept Sri Lanka alive, but regular wickets and tight death bowling from Ubaid Shah, despite conceding runs early on, and Ahmed Daniyal restricted them short of Pakistan’s total by 15 runs.
