- Scorecard is available here
Dambulla, 11 January 2025: Sri Lanka levelled the three-match T20I series after they registered a 14-run victory on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method (DLS), while defending their 160-run total in a 12-hour rain-hit fixture here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday night.
Pakistan had won the first T20I by six wickets, while the second game was washed out without a ball bowled due to persistent rain.
In pursuit of the 161-run target, Pakistan’s skipper Salman Ali Agha blazed a 12-ball 45 clubbing five fours and three sixes after walking in to bat in the second over following Sahibzada Farhan’s early departure.
Salman and Saim Ayub’s 51-run stand for the second wicket came off just 14 balls with the latter only contributing five runs off two balls in the alliance. Sri Lanka then landed three blows in a space of seven balls in 4th and 5th over to reduce the visitors to 67-4, requiring 92 off last seven overs.
At this juncture, Mohammad Nawaz (28, 15b, 2x4s, 2x6s) and debutant Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (26, 15b, 1x4, 1x6) – who became 125th player for Pakistan in T20Is - stitched a much-needed 49-run partnership off 26 balls.
Player of the match Wanindu Hasaranga struck twice in the 10th over following his double strike in 5th over to again curtail Pakistan’s advance this time removing Nafay and Shadab Khan. Faheem Ashraf’s consecutive boundaries and Shadab’s six in the third last over brought down the equation to 30 needed off 12.
Pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Eshan Malinga delivered impressive penultimate and last over, respectively to only give Pakistan 15 runs in the last 12 balls as Sri Lanka got over the line. Apart from Hasaranga’s four wickets, Pathirana bagged two and Malinga dismissed one batter.
Earlier, Sri Lanka were helped to 160-6 in the allotted 12 overs with skipper Dasun Shanaka and Janith Liyanage playing blitzy knocks as they shared a 15-ball 52-run stand after Sri Lanka were 102-5 in 9.1 overs.
Dasun’s knock of 34 comprised of five sixes and came off just nine balls, while Liyanage remained unbeaten for 22 off eight balls hitting three fours and a solitary six.
At the beginning of Sri Lanka’s innings, Naseem removed Pathum Nissanka for a two-ball duck in the first over but then all the incoming batters contributed valuable runs to push their team past 100-run mark in nine overs.
Kusal Mendis scored 30 off 16 balls hitting two fours and as many sixes as opening batter Kamil Mishara departed for an eight-ball 20 with the help of three fours and one six. Dhananjaya de Silva hit four fours in his 15-ball stay taking 22 runs, while Charith Asalanka fetched his team 21 off 13 balls hitting one four and a six.
For Pakista, Mohammad Wasim Jnr picked up three wickets, while Faheem, Naseem and Nawaz plucked one scalp each.
Scores in brief:
3rd T20I – Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 14 runs (DLS) at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
Sri Lanka 160-6, 12 overs (Dasun Shanaka 34, Kusal Mendis 30, Janith Liyanage 22 not out, Dhananjaya de Silva 22, Charith Asalanka 21, Kamil Mishara 20; Mohammad Wasim Jnr 3-54)
Pakistan 146-8, 20 overs (Salman Ali Agha 45, Mohammad Nawaz 28, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 26; Wanindu Hasaranga 4-35, Matheesha Pathirana 2-34)
Player of the match and series – Wanindu Hasranga de Silva (Sri Lanka)
Series results:
7 January – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets
9 January – Match abandoned without a ball bowled
11 January – Sri Lanka won by 14 runs (DLS)
