Asia Cup 2025 : Faheem Ashraf takes an absolute blinder to dismiss Kusal Perera during PAK vs SL clash

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In a crucial breakthrough for Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash, Haris Rauf dismissed Sri Lanka’s dangerous opener Kusal Perera with the help of a breathtaking catch from Faheem Ashraf. Perera, who had scored 15 off 12 balls and looked set to accelerate, fell on the second ball of the 5.2 over, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 43/3 in Abu Dhabi.

The dismissal was a perfect combination of Rauf’s clever bowling and Ashraf’s fielding brilliance. Rauf, operating with pace and precision, delivered a full-length ball that angled in towards middle and off. At first glance, it seemed like a scoring opportunity, but the surface at Sheikh Zayed Stadium offered a hint of grip and uneven bounce. The ball climbed unexpectedly, rushing onto Perera quicker than he anticipated.

Perera, who tried to play a controlled flick shot, was caught in two minds, neither fully committed to a drive nor entirely in control of the whip. His timing went awry, and instead of racing away through the leg side, the ball ballooned awkwardly towards mid-on. That’s when Faheem Ashraf produced a moment of magic. Reacting instantly, he sprinted across from his position, covering ground rapidly. Spotting the dying ball just above the turf, Faheem launched himself in a full-stretch dive to his left. With impeccable hand-eye coordination, he stuck out both hands and clung on inches from the grass, completing a catch that left the Sri Lankan dugout stunned and the Pakistan supporters roaring.

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In a must-win Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bowl first at Abu Dhabi paid immediate dividends as Shaheen Afridi struck with the new ball to remove Kusal Mendis for a golden duck in the very first over, setting the tone for Pakistan’s dominance. Pathum Nissanka followed soon after for just 8, undone once again by Afridi’s lethal swing, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 18/2 inside the third over. Perera attempted to counterattack with some positive strokeplay, but his promising start was cut short on 15 when Haris Rauf forced a mistimed flick that was brilliantly snapped up by Ashraf, diving full length at mid-on to complete a sensational catch.

Captain Charith Asalanka then took charge, striking a few boundaries and attempting to steady the innings alongside Kamindu Mendis, but his effort ended on 20 when he miscued a big shot straight to Rauf in the deep, undoing Sri Lanka’s mini-recovery. The situation worsened dramatically as Dasun Shanaka fell the very next ball, edging Hussain Talat behind for a first-ball duck, sending Sri Lanka into further disarray at 58/5.  At 72/5 after 10.6 overs, Sri Lanka are staring at a collapse, and their hopes now rest on the lower-middle order to somehow salvage a defendable total, while Pakistan remain firmly in the driver’s seat.

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