Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, thanks to captain Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 87. However, Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1 after winning the first two games at the same venue.
Chasing 169 runs, Sri Lanka reached 172 for two in just 17.1 overs, securing a comfortable victory. Pakistan had earlier scored 168 for eight in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka lost Lahiru Udara early for just one run but recovered through a 59-run partnership between Kusal Mendis and Sineth Jayawardena, who scored 38 off 26 balls.
After Jayawardena’s dismissal, Kusal joined Kamindu Mendis to build an unbeaten 98-run partnership that took Sri Lanka home. Kusal smashed nine fours and four sixes in his 48-ball innings, while Kamindu remained unbeaten on 40 off 27 balls.
Their partnership ensured Sri Lanka comfortably chased the target and ended the series on a winning note.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan led the batting with 76 runs off 47 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. Despite losing wickets regularly, he kept the innings going and recorded his third consecutive half-century of the series.
Pakistan slipped to 102 for six before Farhan and Arafat Minhas added 66 runs for the seventh wicket. Minhas scored an unbeaten 34 off 20 balls, helping Pakistan reach 168 for eight.
For Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka took three wickets for 21 runs, while Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga claimed two wickets each.
Although Sri Lanka won the final match, Pakistan secured the series 2-1. Both teams will now prepare for an ODI tri-series featuring England, which begins in Rawalpindi on October 18.
Chasing 169 runs, Sri Lanka reached 172 for two in just 17.1 overs, securing a comfortable victory. Pakistan had earlier scored 168 for eight in 20 overs.
Kusal Mendis leads Sri Lanka to victory
Sri Lanka lost Lahiru Udara early for just one run but recovered through a 59-run partnership between Kusal Mendis and Sineth Jayawardena, who scored 38 off 26 balls.
After Jayawardena’s dismissal, Kusal joined Kamindu Mendis to build an unbeaten 98-run partnership that took Sri Lanka home. Kusal smashed nine fours and four sixes in his 48-ball innings, while Kamindu remained unbeaten on 40 off 27 balls.
Their partnership ensured Sri Lanka comfortably chased the target and ended the series on a winning note.
Farhan shines as Pakistan post 168
Earlier, Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan led the batting with 76 runs off 47 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. Despite losing wickets regularly, he kept the innings going and recorded his third consecutive half-century of the series.
Pakistan slipped to 102 for six before Farhan and Arafat Minhas added 66 runs for the seventh wicket. Minhas scored an unbeaten 34 off 20 balls, helping Pakistan reach 168 for eight.
For Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka took three wickets for 21 runs, while Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga claimed two wickets each.
Although Sri Lanka won the final match, Pakistan secured the series 2-1. Both teams will now prepare for an ODI tri-series featuring England, which begins in Rawalpindi on October 18.