Sri Lanka signed off from the T20I series against Pakistan with an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the third and final match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 13, 2026. Kusal Mendis led the chase with an unbeaten 87, while Kamindu Mendis provided valuable support as Sri Lanka reached their target with 17 balls remaining.
Pakistan, however, claimed the three-match series 2-1 after winning the opening two matches.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I: Score Summary
Team | Score |
|---|---|
Pakistan | 168/8 (20 overs) |
Sri Lanka | 172/2 (17.1 overs) |
Result: Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets.
Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis (87* off 48 balls).
Player of the Series:Sahibzada Farhan.
Pakistan Innings: Farhan Leads the Recovery
Pakistan made 168/8 after being asked to bat first. Captain Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 76 off 47 deliveries, striking seven fours and three sixes. Arafat Minhas added an unbeaten 34 off 20 balls to give the hosts a competitive finish.
Pakistan initially moved quickly but lost Fakhar Zaman and Maaz Sadaqat in the fourth over, leaving the innings under pressure. Farhan held the batting effort together, but regular wickets prevented Pakistan from building the kind of total that could put Sri Lanka under sustained pressure.
For Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka was the leading wicket-taker with 3/21. Eshan Malinga and Nuwan Thushara also made important contributions with the ball.
Sri Lanka Chase: Kusal and Kamindu Take Control
Sri Lanka's response was built around an outstanding innings from Kusal Mendis. He remained unbeaten on 87 from 48 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes to keep the required rate under control.
Sineth Jayawardena contributed 38 before falling, but the dismissal did little to disrupt Sri Lanka's momentum. Kusal then combined with Kamindu Mendis, who finished unbeaten on 40 off 27 balls, in a match-winning partnership of 98 runs.
Sri Lanka reached 172/2 in 17.1 overs, completing the chase comfortably.
Turning Point of the Match
The early wickets of Fakhar Zaman and Maaz Sadaqat gave Sri Lanka an opening, while Dasun Shanaka's three-wicket haul prevented Pakistan from accelerating freely through the middle overs. Pakistan's total left room for a confident chase.
Kusal Mendis then ensured Sri Lanka capitalised on that opportunity. His ability to find boundaries without allowing the required rate to climb proved decisive.
Player of the Match
Kusal Mendis earned the award for his unbeaten 87 off 48 balls. His innings combined controlled stroke-play with timely aggression and anchored Sri Lanka's successful chase.
Sri Lanka avoided a series whitewash with the victory, but Pakistan finished the series as 2-1 winners. Sahibzada Farhan's consistent run-scoring earned him Player of the Series honours.
