Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in a rain-affected thriller in Dambulla on Sunday evening to level the T20I series 1-1.
Chasing a challenging 161-run target, Pakistan managed to reach 146/8 in their quota of 12 overs despite a brisk 45 off just 12 balls by skipper Salman Ali Agha with the help of five fours and three maximums.
Mohammad Nawaz contributed 28 off 15 balls, hitting two fours and an even number of maximums. Debutant Khawaja Nafay made 26 off 15 balls, laced with one four and one maximum. No other batter could enter the double figures.
Player of the match Wanindu Hasaranga took four wickets, Matheesha Pathirana two, and Eshan Malinga one, while Faheem Ashraf was run out while trying to steal an improbable single to get the strike in the last over.
After being asked to bat first by Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, Sri Lanka reached 160/6 in their quota of 12 overs.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka was the top scorer for the hosts with 34 off just nine balls, laced with five maximums. Kusal Mendis contributed 30 off 16 balls, hitting two fours and two maximums. Dhananjaya de Silva and Janith Liyanage made 22 each, and Charith Asalanka 21, while Kamil Mishara made 20 runs.
Mohammad Wasim Junior bagged three wickets while Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf got one wicket each.
As the persistent rain and a wet outfield delayed the start, the match was reduced to a 12-over-a-side affair.
Both sides have made two changes in the previous complete match playing XI. For Green shirts, Naseem Shah made a comeback, while Khawaja Nafay played his debut game.
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasum Shanaka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, Maheesh Pathirana
Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Usman Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Pakistan take lead in the three-match T20I series by winning the opener at the same venue by six wickets last Wednesday. In the comeback match after injury and fitness issues, Shadab Khan performed both with the ball and the bat to help the Green shirts outplay the hosts in all departments.
The second T20I at the same venue was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to intermittent rain and a wet outfield.
