Sri Lanka began steadily, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara adding 20 runs. But the breakthrough came quickly as left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi dismissed Nissanka for 11, setting the tone for Pakistan’s dominance.
Mishara then combined with skipper Kusal Mendis to lift the total past 50 through a crucial 50-run stand for the second wicket. Mohammad Nawaz ended the partnership, removing Mendis for 14 off 18 balls and leaving Sri Lanka at 84-2 in 10.3 overs.
Mishara stood firm, smashing two fours and four sixes on his way to a fighting 59 off 47 balls. His dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse. Abrar Ahmed struck twice in quick succession, sending back Kusal Perera for one and Pavan Rathnayake for eight, reducing Sri Lanka to 103-4 in 14.4 overs.
Nawaz added further pressure by dismissing Janith Liyanage for a duck and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga for five. Shaheen Afridi returned for another fiery spell, removing captain Dasun Shanaka for two and Maheesh Theekshana for one. Sri Lanka’s innings came to a close when Salman Mirza trapped Dushmantha Chameera for a duck in the final over.
Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz were the standout performers with three wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed claimed two. Salman Mirza and Saim Ayub contributed with one wicket apiece. Pakistan’s disciplined and relentless bowling attack left Sri Lanka’s batting lineup in complete disarray.
Teams
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have faced each other 26 times in T20 internationals, with Pakistan leading 15 wins to 11. The league stage of the current tri-series featured a thrilling contest, where Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by six runs.
Pakistan entered the final on a five-match winning streak—three in this series and two from their recent home victory against South Africa. Sri Lanka, buoyed by their earlier triumph over the hosts, were hoping to turn that momentum into a title-winning effort.
