Pakistan and Sri Lanka completed their three-match T20I series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 13, 2026. Pakistan had already secured the series after winning the first two matches, but Sri Lanka avoided a clean sweep with an eight-wicket victory in the final game. Pakistan scored 168/8, while Sri Lanka chased down the target in 17.1 overs. Kusal Mendis led the chase with an unbeaten 87, while Sahibzada Farhan scored 76 for Pakistan. Pakistan won the series 2–1.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I Match Details
| Match Detail | Information |
| Match | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I |
| Date | October 13, 2026 |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Pakistan’s Score | 168/8 in 20 overs |
| Sri Lanka’s Score | 172/2 in 17.1 overs |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Kusal Mendis |
| Series Result | Pakistan won 2–1 |
The third T20I was the final match of Sri Lanka’s tour for this series. Pakistan had won the opening game by four wickets and the second by 82 runs. Sri Lanka’s victory in the final match prevented a 3–0 series defeat, but Pakistan still finished as the series winners.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Series Situation
Pakistan entered the third T20I with an unassailable 2–0 lead. The hosts had won the opening match by four wickets before producing a dominant performance in the second game. Their batting and bowling had both delivered strong results, leaving Sri Lanka needing a win to finish the series on a positive note.
Sri Lanka responded in the final match with a much stronger chase. Pakistan’s 168/8 provided a competitive target, but Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis controlled the chase after the early wickets. Sri Lanka won by eight wickets with 17 balls remaining.
How Pakistan Won the First Two T20Is
Pakistan won the first T20I by four wickets after chasing Sri Lanka’s 182/8. Sahibzada Farhan scored 89 from 52 balls, while Maaz Sadaqat added a quick half-century. Lahiru Udara had earlier scored 91 for Sri Lanka.
In the second match, Pakistan posted 215/3, their first total above 200 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Maaz Sadaqat scored 96 from 51 balls, and Farhan contributed 73. Muhammad Imran then took 3/11 as Sri Lanka finished on 133/7, giving Pakistan an 82-run victory.
What Was at Stake in the Final T20I?
Pakistan had already secured the series, so the final match was about completing a clean sweep. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, wanted to avoid losing all three games and regain confidence after two defeats.
The result went Sri Lanka’s way. Their batters chased the target comfortably, while their bowlers kept Pakistan from building another total above 200. The victory gave Sri Lanka a positive finish, although Pakistan retained the series trophy.
Pakistan Playing XI for the Third T20I
Pakistan made several changes for the final match after securing the series. The playing XI included Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Imran, Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Razaullah, Mohammad Salman Mirza and Sufyan Moqim. The team retained Farhan as captain and gave opportunities to players, including Abdul Samad and Arafat Minhas.
Pakistan’s Batting Performance
Sahibzada Farhan was Pakistan’s leading batter, scoring 76 from 47 balls with seven fours and three sixes. He held the innings together as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Arafat Minhas provided a late boost with an unbeaten 34 from 20 balls. However, Maaz Sadaqat was dismissed for a duck, and Pakistan could not repeat the explosive batting display they produced in the second T20I. The hosts finished on 168/8, leaving Sri Lanka with a target of 169.
Pakistan’s Bowling Attack
Pakistan struggled to contain Sri Lanka’s scoring rate during the chase. Mohammad Imran took one wicket, while Arafat Minhas claimed the other. However, the bowling attack could not break the partnership between Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis.
Salman Mirza conceded 40 runs in three overs, while Razaullah gave away 37 runs in 3.1 overs. Sufiyan Moqim also went wicketless. Sri Lanka’s batters attacked consistently and completed the chase with 17 balls remaining.
Pakistan Team Changes: What Did the Hosts Test?
Pakistan used the final match to give opportunities to a different combination after securing the series. Abdul Samad and Arafat Minhas featured in the XI, while players from the previous match were left out. The changes gave Pakistan’s management more information about the squad’s options.
Maaz Sadaqat’s Form and Selection Outlook
Sadaqat was one of Pakistan’s standout performers in the series. His 96 from 51 balls in the second T20I helped Pakistan post 215/3 and earn an 82-run victory. However, he was dismissed for a duck in the final match. His performance across the series still demonstrated his ability to score quickly and contribute to Pakistan’s top order.
Opportunities for Other Squad Members
Pakistan’s final-match selection included Abdul Samad and Arafat Minhas. Minhas made the most of his opportunity with an unbeaten 34 and also took one wicket. The match provided useful experience for players who had not played the same roles in the opening two games, even though Pakistan could not complete the clean sweep.
Sri Lanka Playing XI for the Third T20I
Sri Lanka responded to their two defeats with a winning performance in the final T20I. Their XI included Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando and Nuwan Thushara.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Line-Up
Kusal Mendis led from the front with an unbeaten 87 from 48 balls. He struck nine fours and four sixes, taking control of the chase after Sri Lanka lost two wickets.
Sineth Jayawardena supported him with 38 from 26 balls. Kamindu Mendis then joined the captain and remained unbeaten on 40 from 27 deliveries. Their unbroken 98-run partnership for the third wicket ensured Sri Lanka reached 172/2 in 17.1 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Combination
Sri Lanka’s bowlers restricted Pakistan to 168/8. Captain Dasun Shanaka took 3/21 in four overs, while Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga claimed two wickets each. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth also took a wicket and conceded 23 runs in four overs.
The bowling effort was important because Pakistan had scored 215/3 in the previous match. Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept the scoring under control and took wickets often enough to prevent Pakistan from building another huge total.
Sri Lanka Team Changes: How the Visitors Responded
Sri Lanka’s final-match performance showed a stronger response after their first two defeats. The bowlers restricted Pakistan to a manageable total, and the top order gave the team a solid start in the chase. Rather than relying on one batter, Sri Lanka built partnerships that kept the required run rate under control.
Batting Changes Sri Lanka Could Consider
Sri Lanka benefited from contributions by Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis. Kusal’s unbeaten innings provided the main attacking force, while Jayawardena helped establish the chase. Kamindu then ensured there was no late pressure. These performances gave Sri Lanka useful options to consider for their upcoming matches.
Bowling Adjustments for the Final Match
Sri Lanka’s bowlers improved on their previous performance by taking regular wickets and limiting Pakistan to 168. Shanaka’s three wickets were particularly important, while Thushara and Malinga claimed two each. Their success showed the value of mixing attacking deliveries with disciplined overs, especially against Pakistan’s aggressive batting line-up.
Key Players in PAK vs SL 3rd T20I
The final T20I featured strong performances from both captains. Farhan was Pakistan’s leading scorer, but Kusal Mendis produced the innings that decided the match. Kamindu Mendis and Sineth Jayawardena also played important supporting roles for Sri Lanka.
Pakistan Players to Watch
Farhan scored 76 from 47 balls and gave Pakistan a platform after early wickets. Arafat Minhas added an unbeaten 34, helping the hosts reach 168/8. However, Pakistan’s other batters struggled to maintain momentum, and the team could not build a larger total. Farhan was later named Player of the Series after scoring 238 runs across the three matches.
Sri Lanka Players to Watch
Kusal Mendis was the standout player in the final match. His unbeaten 87 from 48 balls earned him the Player of the Match award. Kamindu Mendis scored 40 not out, while Jayawardena added 38. Their contributions helped Sri Lanka chase the target in only 17.1 overs and avoid a series whitewash.
Rawalpindi Pitch Report and Match Conditions
The first two matches showed that Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium could support high-scoring T20 cricket. Pakistan scored 215/3 in the second game, but the final match produced a different contest. Sri Lanka restricted Pakistan to 168/8 before chasing the target at a run rate of more than 10 runs per over.
The results show why teams must adapt their approach to the match situation rather than assume that the same scoring pattern will continue. Pakistan’s wickets prevented them from building another large total, while Sri Lanka’s batters took advantage of their starts.
How the Pitch Affected Team Performance
Pakistan needed contributions from more batters after losing wickets during the middle overs. Farhan and Minhas helped the team reach a competitive total, but the innings lacked the sustained partnerships seen in the second match.
Sri Lanka’s batters handled the chase more effectively. Kusal and Kamindu found boundaries regularly and kept the required rate manageable. Their partnership ensured that the pitch did not become a major obstacle during the chase.
Toss and Batting Strategy
Sri Lanka chose to field first and successfully chased Pakistan’s target. Their bowlers limited Pakistan to 168/8, giving the batting side a clear target of 169. Sri Lanka then balanced aggressive stroke play with steady partnerships, reaching the target with 17 balls to spare.
Pakistan’s innings showed the importance of preserving wickets while maintaining scoring momentum. Sri Lanka’s successful chase demonstrated the value of a strong start and partnerships through the middle overs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Was the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I?
The third T20I took place on October 13, 2026, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
What Was the Final PAK vs SL Series Score?
Pakistan won the three-match T20I series 2–1 after winning the first two matches. Sri Lanka won the final game by eight wickets.
Who Was Pakistan’s T20I Captain?
Sahibzada Farhan captained Pakistan during the T20I series. He scored 238 runs and was named Player of the Series.
Was Wanindu Hasaranga Available for the Series?
No. Wanindu Hasaranga was unavailable for the T20I series because of injury and did not feature in the matches.
Conclusion
Pakistan won the T20I series against Sri Lanka 2–1, but the visitors finished strongly with an eight-wicket victory in the final match. Sahibzada Farhan’s 76 helped Pakistan reach 168/8, while Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 87 guided Sri Lanka to the target in 17.1 overs. Pakistan’s two earlier wins secured the series, and Farhan earned the Player of the Series award. Sri Lanka’s final performance offered a positive finish after two defeats and highlighted the team’s batting potential.
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