Skipper Kusal Mendis led from the front as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the third T20I to avoid a series whitewash.
Sri Lanka comfortably chased down 169 inside 17 overs, losing only two wickets under lights at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan’s third consecutive half-century propelled Pakistan to a fighting total against Sri Lanka in the third T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Put into bat first, Pakistan managed to put 168-8 at the end of their 20 overs. Farhan top-scored with 76 off 47 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes.
Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan added 34 in first three overs before fast bowler Eshan Malinga struck twice in an over to halt Pakistan’s progress. Fakhar made 12 after facing seven deliveries while Maaz Sadaqat could not open his account.
Following quick wickets, Hassan Nawaz joined Farhan in a bid to steady the innings. The pair shared a 33-run partnership, albeit on 28 balls.
The scorecard read 67 in nine overs as Sri Lanka fought back with wickets at regular intervals. Hassan departed after scoring 16 off 17.
Dasun Shanaka and Eshan Malinga combined to rattle Pakistan middle-order as the home side were limited to 102-6 inside 13 overs.
Despite wickets tumbling around him, Farhan carried on and stitched a vital stand with Arafat Minhas, carrying Pakistan’s total over the 150-run mark. Arafat, playing for the firs time in the series hit two sixes and two fours in his unbeaten 34 off 20 balls.
For Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka starred with the ball, taking three wickets in his four overs while giving away 21.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Arafat Minhas Muhammad Imran, Razaullah, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Moqim
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachige, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Vijaykanth Viyaskanth, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara