Pakistan lift T20I series trophy despite defeat as Sri Lanka chase 169 with 17 balls to spare

However, victories in the first two matches ensured Pakistan secured the three-match series 2-1. Kusal anchored the chase with an aggressive innings, while Kamindu Mendis provided valuable support with an unbeaten 40 as Sri Lanka finished on 171-2 in 17.1 overs.

Sineth Jayawardena also made a brisk contribution of 38, helping the visitors recover from an early setback and take control of the contest. Farhan leads Pakistan recovery. Asked to bat first, Pakistan posted 168-8 in their 20 overs after captain Sahibzada Farhan led the scoring with a quickfire 76 off 47 deliveries.

Pakistan made an energetic start through Fakhar Zaman and Farhan, who added 34 runs in the opening three overs. Sri Lanka pacer Eshan Malinga, however, disrupted the hosts’ momentum in the fourth over by dismissing Fakhar for 12 before removing in-form batter Maaz Sadaqat for a duck.

Hasan Nawaz joined Farhan at the crease and helped add 33 runs before falling to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth for 16 off 17 balls in the ninth over. Pakistan suffered another setback in the following over when Dasun Shanaka dismissed wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay for three.

Shanaka continued to trouble the middle order, removing Mohammad Imran for six and Abdul Samad for 15 as Pakistan slipped to 102-6. Farhan then found an important partner in Arafat Minhas, and the pair revived the innings with a 66-run stand.

Minhas remained unbeaten on 34 off 20 balls, striking two fours and two sixes, while Farhan struck seven fours and three sixes before falling to Nuwan Thushara on the penultimate delivery. Thushara claimed another wicket on the final ball, bowling Razaullah for a duck to leave Pakistan short of the 170-run mark.

Shanaka finished as Sri Lanka’s leading bowler with three wickets for 21 runs in four overs. Malinga and Thushara claimed two wickets each, while Viyaskanth took one. Kusal takes charge.

Sri Lanka’s chase began on a difficult note when Mohammad Imran Randhawa trapped Lahiru Udara lbw for one in the second over, leaving the visitors at 15-1. Kusal arrived at No. 3 and combined with Jayawardena to rebuild the innings.

The pair added 59 runs for the second wicket, putting pressure back on Pakistan with an attacking approach. Arafat Minhas eventually broke the partnership on the final delivery of the eighth over, dismissing Jayawardena for 38 off 26 balls.

His innings included five fours and two sixes, giving Sri Lanka a strong platform despite the loss of their second wicket. Kamindu then joined his captain, and the pair ensured there were no further breakthroughs.

Their unbeaten 92-run partnership for the third wicket carried Sri Lanka to 171-2 in 17.1 overs. Kusal struck nine fours and four sixes in his 48-ball 87, while Kamindu’s 40 not out came off 27 deliveries and included four boundaries.

Randhawa and Minhas were Pakistan’s only wicket-takers. Farhan named player of the series. Despite Pakistan’s defeat in the final match, Farhan was named player of the series for his performances across the three T20Is.

Pakistan had established a 2-0 lead by winning the opening two matches before Sri Lanka claimed the final fixture. Speaking after the series victory, Farhan said Pakistan had performed well in the first two matches and praised Minhas for his contribution.

He added that the team aimed to maintain consistency and that he was pleased with the side’s overall performance. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry presented the series trophy to Pakistan captain Farhan following the team’s 2-1 triumph.