Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets: Asia Cup – as it happened

That is it from our coverage of Pakistan’s victory against Sri Lanka.

The islanders are on the verge of elimination but for the remaining three teams, the Super Fours stage is now wide open.

Do join us for the remainder of our coverage of the latter stages.

For now, though – from Hafsa Adil and Kevin Hand – it’s goodbye.

Click here to read our full report.

We’ll bring you live coverage of Thursday’s likely winner-takes-all match between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Do join us for that one if you can and stick with us for the latest from India against Bangladesh, when we bring you the match report from Wednesday’s top-of-the-table clash between the pair.

One will seal their place in the final.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended USA Cricket’s membership with immediate effect over repeated breaches of its obligations under the ICC Constitution, the sport’s global governing body said on Tuesday.

The ICC Board cited failures to implement a functional governance structure, lack of progress towards recognition by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and actions that caused reputational damage to the sport in the US and globally.

Despite the suspension, the ICC said US national teams would keep their right to compete in ICC events and continue preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Management and administration of the teams will be overseen temporarily by the ICC or its representatives to maintain support for players and high-performance programs.

An ICC Normalisation Committee, working with ICC management, will set out the steps required for the suspension to be lifted and will monitor progress, including “demonstrable and specific” changes to governance, operations and the body’s standing within the cricket ecosystem.

USA Cricket did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

USA Cricket had been placed “on notice” at the 2024 ICC Annual General Meeting and given 12 months to remedy non-compliance.

While a 2025 AGM review contemplated suspension, the ICC said the membership opted to keep the body on notice in July after representations and commitments from USA Cricket.

In a written notice of that decision, the ICC warned USA Cricket not to jeopardise Olympic inclusion and not to act in a way that brings the sport or the ICC into disrepute.

Cricket will return to the Olympic stage in LA after more than a century, having appeared once at the 1900 Olympics, with a six-team Twenty20 format – the shortest international format of the game – for both women and men.

“I can’t say it was the perfect game. We lost three wickets in four overs. We need to stop doing that. Otherwise, it was the perfect game,” the Pakistan captain says.

“Since Shaheen came back into the side, he has been working hard, and we have named him ‘Rock Star’. He is a match winner and shows it all the time.

“We play so many all-rounders because nowadays you need so many options when it comes to batting. Nawaz as a batter has so much potential, and he has shown it since his comeback.

“Abrar has been bowling really well. When we are in a difficult position, I go for him. I hope he can continue for the rest of the season and for many years to come.”

“If we lost five wickets before the 10th over, it would always be hard,” the Sri Lanka captain says.

“The surface was good, but they bowled well in the first nine of 10 overs.

“We only scored 133, but we didn’t give up and fought hard.”

For his wickets and runs, Hussain wins it.

“It is difficult and hot. The conditions were not easy. We want to play aggressive cricket, but in the UAE, it is tough,” he said.

“The plan was to attack, but I just backed my gut feeling after two early wickets: When I came in, I had to take my time, and the boundaries would come.

“There was a lot of humidity and my energy was low. We decided Nawaz would go after it and I would finish it if I had to.

“I have worked on my bowling a lot. We know the opposition will go after me, so I have to back my plan B.”

He hit three sixes in his unbeaten 38.

The teams are gathered, and the ceremony begins. The game-changer of the match is Shaheen Shah Afridi for his three wickets.

Stick with us for the thoughts of the captains at the end.

With two defeats from two and only one to play in the Super Fours stage, Sri Lanka’s match against India on Friday may only be a formality by then.

The chase in particular was a joy to behold. It swung back-and-forth throughout but the Nawaz-Hussain partnership won it for Pakistan.

That six and the 18th-over win have given Pakistan’s net run rate a much – needed boost.

They go from fourth to second on the Super Fours table, with two points and a net run rate of 0.226.

Bangladesh move to third spot , and Sri Lanka are now fourth.

A lovely moment. They teased each other with their mimicking each others celebrations, but the pair hug at the end.

Wonderful sportsmanship from both after moments that entertained us all.

A win on Thursday against Bangladesh should seal their place in the final of the Asia Cup.

Could it be India against Pakistan part three at the 2025 Asia Cup?

Nawaz slams the ball over long-on to seal a five-wicket win with two overs to spare. That was some game.

The left-hander is left with only one hand on the bat as he swings at a pace-off ball from Chameera. One left of the over.

Another six. This time clubbed over midwicket and the fifty partnership is brought up in 39 deliveries.

Nawaz steps across to scoop, but misses and the ball passes over middle stump.