Chameera (4/20) bowls Sri Lanka to T20I Tri-Series final

Friday, 28 November 2025 03:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

RAWALPINDI: Dushmantha Chameera produced a magnificent spell of seam bowling to carry Sri Lanka to the final of the T20I Tri-Series, when they beat Pakistan in an exciting final league game by six runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka will play Pakistan in the final tomorrow.

Pakistan required just 10 runs off the last over, and the momentum of the match was firmly in their grasp. But Chameera, who had ripped the Pakistan top order striking thrice in two overs, returned for one last act and delivered. Mixing yorkers with pinpoint accuracy, he shut down the scoring, kept Salman Agha off strike, and dragged Sri Lanka over the line, conceding just three runs and taking a wicket.

Chameera ended with excellent figures of 4/20 to pick up the Player of the Match award. The result not only secured Sri Lanka’s place in the final but also ended Zimbabwe’s campaign.

Chasing 185, Pakistan looked buried early in their chase after Chameera ran through their top order. Reeling in the powerplay, Pakistan found stability through Captain Agha, who dug in and partnered with Usman Khan (33 off 23 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) for a crucial 56-run stand off 42 balls. Agha initially played the anchor’s role, but once Usman fell, he shifted gears and began finding the boundary with authority. His counterattack transformed the contest as he added a further 70 off 36 balls with Mohammad Nawaz (27 off 16 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes), reducing the equation to 22 off the final 12 deliveries.

Invited to bat first, Sri Lanka ended with a healthy total of 184-5. Kamil Mishara set it up with Kusal Mendis (40 off 23 balls, 6 fours, 1 six), adding 66 off 36 balls. They both started off aggressively after the fall of Pathum Nissanka for 8. Mishara played some attractive shots and made batting look very easy, hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes in his 48-ball knock of 76. He added a further 57 off 37 balls with Janith Liyanage (24*). Although Liyanage and Dasun Shanaka (17) put on 31 off 19 balls, Sri Lanka managed only 47 off the last five overs despite having plenty of wickets in hand.

Salman Agha fought a lone battle to keep Pakistan in the hunt