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ABU DHABI: All-rounder Hussain Talat shared his thoughts after playing a pivotal role in Pakistan’s crucial win over Sri Lanka in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours.
On a day when Pakistan needed a vital all-round contribution, Talat delivered with bat and ball to put his team back on course in the race for the continental tournament final.
The 29-year-old first chipped with the ball, picking up two crucial wickets in a single over. He removed Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanka on consecutive deliveries, which put the Green Shirts in the driving seat.
He backed his bowling with a composed and measured knock under pressure. Pakistan were 80-5 in 11.1 overs when Mohammad Nawaz joined Talat for a decisive 58-run partnership.
Hussain Talat made 32 from 30 balls with the aid of four boundaries.
Speaking after the match, Talat reflected on his knock and how he paced his innings in testing conditions.
“It is difficult, it is hot, we all know. But we all prepared for this time. Conditions were not easy, so I took my time. We want to play attacking cricket, but in the UAE, we cannot go full-fledged,” he said.
“But they (captain and coach) talked about playing with the field and going with our best shots. The plan was to go straightaway and attack. But I just backed my gut feeling. We lost two wickets when I went in to bat. My gut feeling was to take some time and that the boundaries would come,” he continued.
He also praised Mohammad Nawaz, who made 38 from 24 balls, striking three sixes and three fours, and talked about his bowling.
“There was a lot of humidity and I told Nawaz that he will go (after the bowling) and that I will go after the bowling (if I get an opportunity). Hats off to him for the way he finished it,” Talat explained.
“I was working on my bowling with the bowling coach. We all know that teams will go after me, so I have to back my plans. If I can bowl two good overs for the team, that will help. And then I knew I needed to do something with the bat as well, and got this (award), he concluded.
READ: All-round Talat stars as Pakistan down Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2025
