Pakistani cricket fans erupted in celebration as Men in Green stunned Sri Lanka with a commanding performance to lift the T20I tri-series trophy, showcasing fire, flair, and complete dominance in front of a raucous home crowd.
Chasing a modest target of 115, Pakistan’s openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan set the tone with a 46-run partnership, immediately putting the visitors under pressure. Farhan struck 23 off 22 balls, hitting a six and two boundaries before Eshan Malinga broke the stand. Babar Azam then walked in with calm authority, keeping the chase on track.
Saim continued in impressive form, scoring 36 off 33 balls with six crisp boundaries, but Wanindu Hasaranga broke the stand at 75-2. Pakistan briefly wobbled when Salman Ali Agha (14) and Fakhar Zaman (3) fell to Pavan Rathnayake, leaving the score at 104-4.
Unshaken, Babar Azam finished the job in style, unbeaten on 37 off 34 balls with two fours and a six, while Usman Khan added the final runs to secure a six-wicket victory in the 19th over.
Sri Lanka’s innings had started steadily, with Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara adding 20 for the first wicket. But Shaheen Afridi struck early, dismissing Nissanka for 11 off 7 balls, shifting momentum. Mishara battled alongside captain Kusal Mendis, forming a 50-run stand, yet when Mendis fell for 14 off 18 balls, the innings lost steam. Mishara’s valiant 59 off 47 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes) kept hopes alive, but once he departed, Sri Lanka’s lineup crumbled under relentless Pakistani pressure.
Pakistan XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga.
Historically, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have faced off 26 times in T20Is, with Pakistan holding a slight edge of 15 wins to 11. The league stage of the tri-series saw Sri Lanka narrowly beat Pakistan by six runs, adding drama to the final showdown.
Pakistan entered the final in blistering form, riding a five-match winning streak, including three in the ongoing tri-series and two from their recent home series triumph over South Africa. Sri Lanka, hoping to convert their last victory into a title, were ultimately overpowered by Pakistan’s relentless display
