Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the third T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, as captain Kusal Mendis led his team to victory with an unbeaten 87.
Sri Lanka successfully chased down the target of 169, reaching 172-2 in 17.1 overs. Kusal Mendis remained not out on 87 from 48 balls, striking nine fours and four sixes. Kamindu Mendis also made an unbeaten 40 off 27 deliveries, while Sineth Jayawardena scored 38 from 26 balls.
Earlier, Pakistan finished their allotted 20 overs at 168-8 after being asked to bat first. Sahibzada Farhan led the scoring with 76 off 47 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. Arafat Minhas provided late support with an unbeaten 34 from 20 deliveries.
Sri Lanka began the run chase aggressively, accumulating 59 runs during the powerplay despite losing Lahiru Udara for just one run. Sineth Jayawardena and Kusal Mendis subsequently built a 59-run partnership for the second wicket, before Arafat Minhas removed the young opener for 38 in the eighth over.
The wicket did little to disrupt Sri Lanka’s momentum, as Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis took charge of the chase. Kusal brought up his half-century in 33 balls and continued to put pressure on Pakistan’s bowlers, while Kamindu kept the scoreboard moving with consistent runs and well-placed boundaries.
The pair’s unbeaten partnership for the third wicket guided Sri Lanka comfortably beyond the target. Kusal remained not out on 87, while Kamindu contributed 40 as the visitors sealed the victory with 17 balls to spare.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan suffered two quick setbacks in the fourth over, losing Fakhar Zaman for 12 and Maaz Sadaqat for a duck. Sahibzada Farhan steadied the innings and formed partnerships with Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Imran and Abdul Samad.
Farhan’s innings came to an end in the final over when Dasun Shanaka caught him off Nuwan Thushara’s bowling, bringing Pakistan’s main scoring effort to a close. Thushara finished with two wickets for 38 runs, while Eshan Malinga also picked up two wickets. Shanaka led Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, claiming three wickets for 21 runs in his four overs.
Pakistan managed to post a challenging total, but Sri Lanka’s controlled run chase highlighted shortcomings in the home team’s bowling. Kusal’s dominant performance, backed by Kamindu, ensured the visitors maintained control after their second-wicket partnership was established.
The match took place on October 13, 2026, during Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Playing XI
Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Arafat Minhas, Muhammad Imran, Razaullah, Salman Mirza and Sufiyan Moqim.
