Kamindu Mendis lone warrior as Sri Lanka star pulls off rescue act in Asia Cup 2025

Kamindu Mendis scored a half-century after Sri Lanka collapsed in their must-win game against Pakistan.

Kamindu Mendis ensured Sri Lanka had something to fight with in their must win clash against Pakistan on Tuesday. In what is a high stakes SL vs PAK clash, the Lankans found themselves reeling at 58/5. However, Mendis held his own and guided his side to 133, with a gritty half-century in Abu Dhabi.

Kamindu Mendis’ fighting knock hands Sri Lanka an opportunity

Kamindu Mendis walked into bat at No.5 and saw wickets fall around him as Sri Lanka slip to 58/5 and then 80/6. Mendis held his own and stitched vital partnerships with Wanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne to help Sri Lanka to a modest total. Kamindu kept the scoreboard ticking with the occassional boundary to help the defending champions past the 100-run mark.

The 26-year-old played out Abrar Ahmed but was particularly hard on Hussain Talat and Faheem Ashraf. It is just his third T20I half-century and it could not have come at a better time for Sri Lanka. Mendis’ 50 guided Sri Lanka to 133. Without the left-hander’s efforts, Sri Lanka could have fallen well short.