Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered outstanding spells as Pakistan eased to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the T20I tri-series final in Rawalpindi.
Nawaz finished with 3-17 and Shaheen 3-18 to bowl Sri Lanka out for just 114 in 19.1 overs. Pakistan then chased the target with eight balls remaining, completing a dominant performance at Rawalpindi Stadium. Zimbabwe were the third team in the competition but ended bottom after losing three of their four matches.
Sri Lanka collapse after strong start
Sri Lanka appeared well placed at 84-1 in the 11th over, with Kamil Mishara anchoring the innings with a 47-ball 59, including four sixes and two boundaries. His 64-run stand with Kusal Mendis (14) promised a competitive total.
However, once Nawaz removed Mendis and Mishara fell to Saim Ayub, the innings unravelled dramatically. Sri Lanka lost nine wickets for just 30 runs, with none of the remaining batters reaching double figures as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure.
Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka admitted his side failed to capitalise: “We couldn’t build on a good platform because Pakistan bowled very well. We need to fine-tune our game ahead of the next series and the World Cup.”
Pakistan coast to the target
In reply, Saim Ayub (36) and Sahibzada Farhan (23) put on a composed 46-run opening stand inside the first eight overs. Pakistan wobbled briefly after the dismissals of Salman Agha (14) and Fakhar Zaman (3), but Babar Azam’s unbeaten 37 ensured there were no further setbacks.
“It was a great performance from us,” said captain Agha. “This has been a very good two months for us — we won against South Africa and now against Sri Lanka.”
The next major assignment for Sri Lanka will be the Twenty20 World Cup, which they will co-host with India in February-March next year.
