Spin and Power: Sri Lanka Stun Pakistan to Square T20I Series

DAMBULLA: A brilliant all-round effort from Wanindu Hasaranga, backed by an explosive late cameo from captain Dasun Shanaka, powered Sri Lanka to a 14-run victory over Pakistan in the deciding third T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, drawing the series level at 1-1.

Set a target of 161, Pakistan’s chase never fully settled as they closed on 146 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs. Their innings began poorly when opener Sahibzada Farhan was removed for nine from seven deliveries by Eshan Malinga, despite striking a pair of boundaries.

Captain Salman Ali Agha attempted to shift momentum alongside Saim Ayub, with back-to-back boundaries helping Pakistan race beyond 50 inside four overs. However, stability came through Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Nawaz, who stitched together a vital 49-run stand and carried the score past 100 in the eighth over.

Hasaranga then turned the match on its head, dismissing Nafay for a quick 26 off 15 balls — an innings that included a four and a six — to break the partnership at 116 for 5 in the 10th over. He followed that up by trapping Shadab Khan, who managed just six off three deliveries, further tightening Sri Lanka’s grip.

Matheesha Pathirana added to Pakistan’s troubles by bowling Nawaz for 28 off 15 balls, an innings featuring two fours and two sixes. With 20 needed from the final over and only two wickets remaining, Pakistan’s hopes faded quickly. Faheem Ashraf was run out while attempting a risky single, and only five runs came off the last over as Pakistan ended on 147 for 8. Mohammad Wasim Jr remained unbeaten on seven, with Naseem Shah on one.

Hasaranga was the standout performer for the hosts, returning remarkable figures of 4 for 35 from three overs. Pathirana claimed two wickets, while Malinga chipped in with one.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s innings began on a sour note after Naseem Shah dismissed Pathum Nissanka without scoring in the opening over. Kamil Mishara responded with an aggressive cameo, smashing 20 from just eight balls with three boundaries and a six, before Mohammad Wasim Jr removed him to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 22 for 2.

Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis then rebuilt cautiously, adding 32 runs and guiding the hosts past the 50-run mark in the fifth over. De Silva’s knock of 22 off 15 balls ended when Mohammad Nawaz struck on the first ball of the sixth over.

Mendis continued to anchor the innings and found support in Charith Asalanka, with the pair pushing Sri Lanka beyond 100 runs by the ninth over. Pakistan fought back through Wasim Jr, who dismissed Mendis for a brisk 30 off 16 balls, breaking a 46-run partnership. Faheem Ashraf soon followed up by sending Asalanka back for 21 off 13 deliveries, reducing Sri Lanka to 102 for 5.

The momentum swung again late in the innings as Shanaka launched a blistering assault, hammering five sixes in a rapid 34 off just nine balls before falling to Wasim Jr. Liyanage provided the finishing touches, remaining unbeaten on 22 from eight balls, which included three fours and a six, while Hasaranga stayed not out on one.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Wasim Jr was the most effective bowler with figures of 3 for 54, while Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf claimed one wicket each.