Clinical Pakistan rout Sri Lanka to win tri-series

A clinical bowling display followed by a composed batting effort powered Pakistan to a comfortable win over Sri Lanka in the final, securing the T20I tri-series title at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.⁣

Chasing a target of 115, Pakistan began confidently as Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan shared a 46-run opening stand.

Farhan’s brisk 23 gave the innings early momentum, while Saim’s fluent 36 kept Pakistan ahead despite Sri Lanka striking at regular intervals.

Babar Azam anchored the chase with an unbeaten 37, ensuring the hosts got home with eight balls to spare, even as late wickets briefly slowed progress.

Batting first, Sri Lanka got off to a steady start with Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara putting on 20 runs, but Shaheen Afridi broke through early, removing Nissanka for 11.

Mishara then rebuilt the innings with Kusal Mendis, and their 50-run stand took Sri Lanka past the halfway mark.

But once Mendis fell to Mohammad Nawaz for 14, the pressure mounted.

Mishara held firm to complete his third T20I fifty but departed soon after for a well-made 59, becoming Abrar Ahmed’s first victim. Abrar struck again in the same over to dismiss Pavan Rathnayake.

From 103-3, Sri Lanka slipped rapidly. Nawaz removed Janith Liyanage for a duck and later dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga for five, while Shaheen returned to claim two late wickets—Dasun Shanaka and Maheesh Theekshana.

For the green shirts, Shaheen and Nawaz led the charge with three wickets each, Abrar chipped in with two, and Mirza took one.