Sri Lanka concluded their tour of Pakistan on a high note, delivering a commanding eight-wicket win in the final T20I at Rawalpindi. By reaching their target of 169 with 17 balls to spare, the visitors successfully avoided a series whitewash, though Pakistan ultimately retained the series trophy with a 2-1 overall result. Kusal Mendis anchored the successful pursuit, crafting a brilliant 87 not out from just 48 deliveries to steer his side home.
Pakistan’s Innings and Bowling Pressure
Asked to bat first, Pakistan enjoyed an explosive start, accumulating 34 runs in the opening three overs. The momentum shifted abruptly when Eshan Malinga delivered a double-wicket maiden, dismissing Fakhar Zaman and Maaz Sadaqat to rattle the hosts. Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan continued his excellent form, contributing 76—his third consecutive half-century of the series—which earned him the Player of the Series honor. However, consistent breakthroughs from the Sri Lankan attack prevented the hosts from building sustained pressure during the middle overs.
Middle-Order Collapse and Late Recovery
Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, making his debut in the series, complemented a disciplined bowling display from Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka proved particularly lethal with his variations, claiming three wickets for 21 runs. Key dismissals of Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Abdul Samad left the batting side struggling at 102 for 6 by the 14th over. A gritty late-innings rally was provided by Arafat Minhas, who finished unbeaten on 34 from 20 balls. Partnering with Farhan, Minhas added 66 runs in 37 deliveries, punishing the bowling in the final stages of the innings to push the score toward 168 before Nuwan Thushara restricted the final output with a disciplined last over. Playing his first game of the series, and Shanaka worked in tandem to take control of the middle overs, farhan kept the scoreboard moving but Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.
Clinical Run Chase
The pursuit of 169 began aggressively, with Sineth Jayawardena striking 14 runs in the first over. Despite Mohammad Imran Randhawa removing Lahiru Udara early, Jayawardena and Kusal Mendis consolidated with a 59-run partnership. Following the dismissal of Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis accelerated, finding rhythm as the evening dew favored the batters. He reached his milestone in 33 balls and, despite a reprieve on 64, dominated the opposition attack alongside Kamindu Mendis. The pair shared an unbroken 98-run stand off 55 balls, efficiently dismantling the bowling of Razaullah and Salman Mirza to seal a decisive victory for the touring side.
- Pakistan: 168/8 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 76, Arafat Minhas 34*; Dasun Shanaka 3-21)
- Sri Lanka: 172/2 in 17.1 overs (Kusal Mendis 87*, Kamindu Mendis 40*, Arafat Minhas 1-26, Mohammad Imran Randhawa 1-31)
