RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis struck an unbeaten 87 to guide his side to an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the third and final T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, helping the visitors avoid a series whitewash.
Despite the defeat, Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1. The hosts had taken the opening match by four wickets on October 9 before sealing the series with an 82-run win in the second T20I on October 11.
Chasing 169, Sri Lanka reached the target in 17.1 overs after recovering from an early setback. Mohammad Imran dismissed Lahiru Udara for one, but Kusal Mendis and Sineth Jayawardena steadied the innings with a 59-run stand for the second wicket.
Jayawardena made 38 off 26 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, before Arafat Minhas broke the partnership. Kusal then joined Kamindu Mendis to add an unbeaten 98 runs for the third wicket, completing a comfortable chase.
Kusal remained not out on 87 off 48 deliveries, with nine fours and four sixes, while Kamindu scored an unbeaten 40 off 27 balls.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 168-8 in their allotted 20 overs after being put under pressure by Sri Lanka’s bowlers. Sahibzada Farhan, who registered his third consecutive half-century of the series, led the innings with a fluent 76 off 47 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
Arafat Minhas provided late resistance with an unbeaten 34 off 20 balls, striking two fours and two sixes.
Pakistan made a brisk start before Eshan Malinga removed Fakhar Zaman for 12 and Maaz Sadaqat for nought in the fourth over, leaving the hosts at 34-2. Farhan and Hasan Nawaz added 33 runs for the third wicket before Hasan was dismissed for 16.
Dasun Shanaka then tightened Sri Lanka’s grip by removing Khawaja Nafay for three, Mohammad Imran for six and Abdul Samad for 15, reducing Pakistan to 102-6.
Farhan and Minhas revived the innings with a crucial 66-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Farhan fell on the penultimate delivery, while Minhas stayed unbeaten.
Shanaka finished with 3-21, while Malinga and Nuwan Thushara claimed two wickets each.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now shift focus to the ODI tri-series, also featuring England, which begins in Rawalpindi on October 18. The final is scheduled to be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.
