Pakistan secured a commanding six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the T20I tri-series final on Saturday at Rawalpindi Stadium, showcasing exceptional bowling prowess that dismantled their opponents’ batting lineup. The match concluded with eight balls remaining as Pakistan comfortably chased down a modest target of 115 runs.
The bowling attack, led by Mohammad Nawaz (3-17) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-18), proved devastatingly effective. Sri Lanka, after being sent in to bat, collapsed dramatically from a promising position of 84-1 to a meager 114 all out in 19.1 overs. This spectacular collapse saw nine wickets fall for just 30 runs, highlighting Pakistan’s relentless bowling pressure.
Opener Kamil Mishara provided the lone resistance for Sri Lanka with a solid 59 off 47 balls, including four sixes and two boundaries. His 64-run partnership with Kusal Mendis (14) established what appeared to be a foundation for a competitive total. However, once both batsmen departed within three overs of each other, Sri Lanka’s innings unraveled completely against Pakistan’s disciplined attack.
In response, Pakistan’s chase was anchored by solid contributions throughout their lineup. Openers Saim Ayub (36) and Sahibzada Farhan (23) established a 46-run partnership in the first eight overs, providing crucial momentum. Despite losing captain Salman Agha (14) and Fakhar Zaman (3) in quick succession, Babar Azam’s unbeaten 37 ensured a smooth victory without further complications.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha praised his team’s comprehensive performance, noting: ‘This has been a very good two months for us, we won against South Africa and now against Sri Lanka.’ Meanwhile, Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka acknowledged his team’s shortcomings: ‘We couldn’t build on a good platform because Pakistan bowled very well. We need to fine-tune our game ahead of the next series and the World Cup.’
The tri-series, which also included Zimbabwe who finished bottom after losing three of their four matches, serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for February-March next year, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.