Pakistan clinch tri-series title with six-wicket win over Sri Lanka

News Desk

Rawalpindi: A disciplined bowling display followed by composed batting powered Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final of the T20I tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Chasing a modest target of 115, Pakistan’s openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan provided a steady start, putting on a 46-run partnership. Farhan scored 23 off 22 balls with two fours and a six before Eshan Malinga made the breakthrough.

Saim continued to anchor the chase alongside Babar Azam, taking Pakistan beyond 50 in the eighth over. He fell for a well-crafted 36 off 33 balls, including six boundaries, as Wanindu Hasaranga struck to leave Pakistan at 75-2.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha and Babar added valuable runs, but Pakistan experienced a brief wobble when Pavan Rathnayake removed Agha for 14 and then dismissed Fakhar Zaman for three, reducing the hosts to 104-4 in 17.1 overs.

Babar, however, held firm, finishing unbeaten on 37 off 34 balls with two fours and a six, while Usman Khan chipped in with three runs to guide Pakistan home in the 19th over.

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Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 114 after opting to bat. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara shared a steady 20-run start before Shaheen Afridi removed Nissanka for 11.

Mishara then combined with skipper Kusal Mendis in a 50-run stand. But once Mendis departed for 14 off 18, Sri Lanka lost momentum. Mishara’s fighting 59 off 47 balls—featuring two fours and four sixes—kept his side afloat, but regular breakthroughs derailed the innings.

Abrar Ahmed dismissed Kusal Perera (1) and Pavan Rathnayake (8) in quick succession, while Mohammad Nawaz ran through the middle order, removing Janith Liyanage for a duck and Hasaranga for five.

Shaheen returned to dismiss Dasun Shanaka (2) and Maheesh Theekshana (1), leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 113-9. The innings ended at 114 when Salman Mirza sent back Dushmantha Chameera for a duck in the final over.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz stood out with three wickets each. Abrar claimed two, while Salman Mirza and Saim Ayub picked up one apiece.

Pakistan lifted the trophy with a commanding all-round performance in front of their home crowd.