Pakistan Crush Sri Lanka to Lift T20I Tri-Series Trophy in Rawalpindi
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan clinched the T20I tri-series crown on Saturday, defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a manageable target of 115, Pakistan began confidently as openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan put together a steady 46-run opening stand. Farhan looked promising with his 23 off 22 balls—featuring two boundaries and a six—before Eshan Malinga ended the partnership.
Babar Azam joined Saim to keep the chase on track, helping Pakistan move past 50 inside eight overs. Saim, who struck six fours in his 36 off 33 balls, was removed by Wanindu Hasaranga, making it 75-2 at the halfway mark of the innings.
Captain Salman Ali Agha partnered with Babar to maintain control, but Pavan Rathnayake disrupted Pakistan’s rhythm by dismissing Agha for 14 and then sending Fakhar Zaman back for just three. Pakistan briefly stumbled to 104-4 in 17.1 overs.
Despite the hiccups, the hosts completed the chase with ease. Babar Azam anchored the innings brilliantly, remaining unbeaten on 37 from 34 balls, while Usman Khan added a calm three runs as Pakistan sealed victory in the 19th over.
Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bat and made a cautious start with Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara adding 20 for the first wicket. Shaheen Afridi delivered the first breakthrough, removing Nissanka for 11, who had struck a four and a six.
Mishara and captain Kusal Mendis rebuilt with a valuable 50-run stand, guiding Sri Lanka beyond 50. But their progress stalled once Mendis fell to Mohammad Nawaz for 14, leaving Sri Lanka 84-2 in the 11th over.
Mishara fought hard, registering a well-made 59 off 47 balls—his third T20I half-century—before losing his wicket. Abrar Ahmed then dented the middle order by dismissing Kusal Perera for one and Pavan Rathnayake for eight in the same over.
Sri Lanka’s collapse continued as Nawaz removed Janith Liyanage for a duck, and later dismissed Hasaranga, who struggled for his five off 11 balls. Shaheen Afridi returned to pick up two late wickets—skipper Dasun Shanaka for two and Maheesh Theekshana for one—reducing Sri Lanka to 113-9.
The innings wrapped up at 114 all out when Salman Mirza dismissed Dushmantha Chameera in the final over.
Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz led Pakistan’s bowling effort with three wickets each. Abrar Ahmed picked up two, while Salman Mirza and Saim Ayub chipped in with one apiece.
