Sri Lanka finally get their act together – avoid whitewash

Wednesday, 14 October 2026 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Beat Pakistan by eight wickets in third T20I

RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka finally got their act together to pull off an emphatic eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the third and final T20I played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Pakistan by virtue of winning the first two T20Is took the three-match series 2-1. The win, although it was a consolation one, will give a lot of confidence to Sri Lanka and bring momentum to the team going into the One-Day Tri-Series against Pakistan and England.

After their bowlers had managed to keep Pakistan down to a sub-par total of 168-8, Kusal Mendis the Sri Lankan skipper led his team from the front in the run chase with a commanding innings of 87* off 48 balls (9 fours, 4 sixes) to take the Player of the Match award. With his namesake Kamindu Mendis, Kusal figured in an unbroken partnership of 98 off 55 balls to see Sri Lanka home with 17 balls to spare. Kamindu playing the secondary role in the stand made 40* off 27 balls (4 fours).

Sri Lanka lost Lahiru Udara in the second over for 1 falling lbw to Imran Randhawa, a decision which he failed to review for the ball hitting his pads outside the line of off stump. Sineth Jayawardena played a breezy innings of 38 off 26 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes) and helped his captain 59 off 41 balls for the second wicket following the early loss of Udara. From there onwards it was the two Mendis’ who came to the party to wrap it up for Sri Lanka.

Nuwan Thushara bowled an outstanding final over, conceding just five runs after Pakistan smashed 48 runs in the three overs before that to help themselves to a total of 168-8 after being invited to bat first. Sri Lanka put in a strong performance with both ball and in the field for the first time in the series. But their series nemesis Sahibzada Farhan was once again a thorn in their side scoring 76 off 47 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes), bringing up his third consecutive fifty to take the Player of the Series award.

Farhan however received little support from the top and middle order. Pakistan kept losing wickets before Arafat Minhas walking in at No. 8 smashed an unbeaten 34 off just 20 deliveries (2 fours, 2 sixes) to provide a late boost. The two put on 66 runs off just 37 deliveries. Sri Lanka put on a much better effort with the ball with Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (1/23) playing his first match of the series and Dasun Shanaka (3/23) outstanding in the middle overs.