In a high-octane finish to the three-match T20I series, Sri Lanka secured a 14-run victory over Pakistan at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday. After a significant rain delay truncated the contest to 12 overs per side, the “Lankan Lions” displayed a clinical performance to level the series 1-1.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Top Performer |
| Sri Lanka | 160/6 (12 overs) | Dasun Shanaka (34 off 9) |
| Pakistan | 146/8 (12 overs) | Salman Agha (45 off 12) |
Shanaka’s Blitz Propels Sri Lanka
Put in to bat after the toss, Sri Lanka faced an uphill task in a heavily shortened game. While the openers fell early, the middle order adopted a “no-holds-barred” approach. Kusal Mendis (30) and Dhananjaya de Silva (22) provided the initial spark, but the true turning point was a breathtaking cameo by Dasun Shanaka.
The former skipper hammered 34 runs off just 9 deliveries, including five massive sixes, to leave the Pakistani bowlers shell-shocked. Backed by Janith Liyanage’s unbeaten 22 off 8, Sri Lanka posted a daunting 160/6—a target that required a mammoth run rate of over 13 per over.
Pakistan’s Valiant Chase Falls Short
Pakistan’s reply began with fireworks from captain Salman Agha. In one of the most explosive starts of the series, Agha smashed 45 off 12 balls, momentarily putting the visitors ahead of the required rate. However, his dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, with Pakistan slipping from 60/1 to 67/4 in the blink of an eye.
Wanindu Hasaranga proved to be the difference-maker with the ball. The leg-spinner picked up 4 wickets for 35 runs, removing the dangerous Khawaja Nafay and Shadab Khan in a single over to break the back of the chase. Despite a late fightback from Mohammad Nawaz (28), the target proved too steep. Eshan Malinga held his nerve in the final over, defending 20 runs with precision to seal the win.
“We were a bit worried about our batting, but I’m glad we addressed that today. The bowlers did a great job on a wet field.” — Wanindu Hasaranga, Player of the Match & Series.
