Cricket is not just about bat and ball—it is also about spirit, rivalry, and respect. In the 2025 Asia Cup Super Four clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Wanindu Hasaranga and Abrar Ahmed stole the spotlight not just with their performances, but with a lighthearted celebratory exchange that ended in a moment of warmth and friendship, leaving fans buzzing worldwide.
The highly anticipated Super Four match was crucial for both Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Both sides entered the contest under pressure, having lost their opening matches in the round. Victory was essential to keep their chances of reaching the Asia Cup final alive.
Sri Lanka Struggle With the Bat
Batting first in Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka faltered yet again. Their innings never gained momentum, and they managed only 133 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their 20 overs. The only bright spot was Kamindu Mendis, who played a determined knock of 50 off 44 deliveries. His partnerships with Wanindu Hasaranga (22 off 28) and Chamika Karunaratne (43 off 39) gave Sri Lanka some respectability after they collapsed to 58 for 5 by the eighth over.
Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early, removing both openers in the powerplay before trapping Kamindu later to finish with figures of 3 for 28. Haris Rauf, with 2 for 37, provided solid support, while Abrar Ahmed completely suffocated Sri Lanka’s scoring options with remarkable figures of 1 for 8 in his four overs.
Between overs six and 16, Sri Lanka managed just 44 runs, exposing their inability to adapt against disciplined bowling. By the death overs, they added only 36 more, falling well short of a competitive total.
Pakistan Survive Nervy Chase
Pakistan’s chase of 134 looked straightforward on paper, especially on a ground where 183 is the average winning total batting first. However, their innings was anything but smooth.
After an opening stand of 43 between Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan collapsed to 57 for 4 in the ninth over. Sri Lanka’s spinners Maheesh Theekshana (2 for 24) and Hasaranga (2 for 27) applied pressure, briefly giving their side hope.
At 80 for 5 in the 12th over, the game was finely balanced. But Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz steadied the ship with an unbroken partnership of 58 off 41 balls. Nawaz’s 38 not out from 24 balls and Talat’s composed 32 not out from 30 guided Pakistan home with five wickets and 12 balls to spare.
The win lifted Pakistan to second place on the Super Four table, pushing Bangladesh to third, while Sri Lanka sank to fourth after their second consecutive defeat, leaving their hopes of reaching the final hanging by a thread.
Hasaranga vs. Abrar: Celebrations With a Twist
While the cricket itself was competitive, the talking point of the night came in the form of a unique celebratory duel between Wanindu Hasaranga and Abrar Ahmed.
During Sri Lanka’s innings, Abrar dismissed Hasaranga and mimicked Hasaranga’s trademark wicket celebration gesture. It was a cheeky move, seemingly meant to mock the Sri Lankan all-rounder.
Hasaranga, however, was quick to respond. When he dismissed two Pakistani batsmen later in the game, he replicated Abrar’s signature head-nod celebration both times. He even repeated the gesture after taking a catch, sending the crowd and commentators into laughter.
The exchange between the two leg-spinners soon went viral on social media, with fans and experts praising their spirited but respectful rivalry.
Hug of Friendship After the Banter
The drama on the field ended in a touching moment off it. After the match, Hasaranga and Abrar were seen hugging warmly, with Abrar appearing to apologize for his earlier mocking gesture. Hasaranga responded in good humor, laughing it off and showing true sportsmanship.
This scene of mutual respect drew praise from commentators and fans across platforms. Former Pakistan women’s captain Sana Mir wrote on X: “Hasaranga and Abrar were seen imitating each other’s celebrations after dismissing opponents. This is the kind of aggression you want to see on the field. It entertains everyone.”
Videos of their celebratory antics and post-match hug flooded YouTube, Instagram, and X.
Social Media Reactions Explode
Fans had plenty to say about the lighthearted exchange. A Pakistani fan named Abdullah posted: “Hasaranga and Abrar were joking with each other and showing sportsmanship. This is something the Indian cricket team can never learn!”
Another user, Nijum, commented: “Hasaranga and Abrar imitating each other’s celebrations was hilarious and made the match more enjoyable.”
Sri Lankan official Nibras Ramazan shared a video of the hug, writing: “This is how a cricket match should end—banter on the field, respect off it.”
Others highlighted how such gestures elevate the spirit of the game. One fan wrote: “Hasaranga and Abrar turned a tense game into a celebration of cricket. Both teams earned our respect.”
A Lesson in Spirit
The Hasaranga-Abrar exchange has now become a defining image of the 2025 Asia Cup. In an era when cricket is often overshadowed by sledging and controversies, the two young spinners reminded the world that rivalry does not need to be hostile.
They showed that cricket is at its best when competitive fire is balanced with mutual respect. For Sri Lanka, the loss may have hurt, but Hasaranga’s gestures ensured that fans had something to smile about. For Pakistan, victory brought momentum, but Abrar’s sportsmanship sealed the night.
The image of their hug will remain one of the standout moments of the tournament, celebrated as a symbol of true cricketing camaraderie.
