Sri Lanka Beat Pakistan by Eight Wickets in Final T20I at Rawalpindi, Pakistan Win the Series 2-1

RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final T20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Chasing 169, the visitors reached 172 for two in 17.1 overs, finishing the match with 17 balls to spare. The defeat did not cost Pakistan the series: victories in the first two matches had already secured a 2-1 triumph in the three-match contest.

Mendis anchors the chase

Sri Lanka lost an early wicket when Lahiru Udara was trapped lbw by Mohammad Imran Randhawa for one in the second over. Captain Kusal Mendis then rebuilt the innings with Sineth Jayawardena, the pair adding 59 runs for the second wicket. Jayawardena made a brisk 38 off 26 balls before Arafat Minhas dismissed him, but Mendis and Kamindu Mendis allowed no further breakthrough. Kusal finished unbeaten on 87 off 48 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes, while Kamindu made 40 not out off 27 deliveries. Randhawa and Minhas were Pakistan’s only wicket-takers.

Farhan’s fifty after a middle-order slide

Put in to bat first, Pakistan began quickly as Fakhar Zaman and captain Sahibzada Farhan added 34 runs in three overs. Eshan Malinga slowed the hosts by removing Fakhar and Maaz Sadaqat in the fourth over, and Dasun Shanaka then dismissed Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Imran and Abdul Samad as Pakistan slipped to 102 for six. Farhan and Minhas revived the innings with a 66-run partnership that carried Pakistan to 168 for eight. Farhan top-scored with 76 off 47 balls, and Minhas stayed unbeaten on 34 off 20. Shanaka was Sri Lanka’s best bowler with three for 21, while Malinga and Nuwan Thushara took two wickets each.

Series trophy for Pakistan

Despite losing the final match, Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan lifted the series trophy and was named player of the series, while Kusal Mendis took the player-of-the-match award for his unbeaten 87.