KARACHI – Pakistan stunned Sri Lanka to clinch T20I tri-series title, delivering a performance bursting with fire, flair, and absolute command in front of a roaring home crowd.
Tasked with chasing just 115, Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan launched the innings with a rock-solid 46-run stand, instantly putting Sri Lanka on the back foot. Farhan smashed 23 off 22 (2 fours, 1 six) before Eshan Malinga finally broke through. But the calm presence of Babar Azam, walking in with effortless composure, ensured Pakistan never drifted off course.
Saim was in smooth touch with his 36 off 33 featuring six crisp boundaries, but Wanindu Hasaranga struck back to break the stand at 75-2. The inevitable victory train wobbled slightly as Salman Ali Agha (14) and Fakhar Zaman (3) fell in quick succession to Pavan Rathnayake, trimming Pakistan to 104-4.
Unfazed and unshaken, Babar Azam finished job in style, staying unbeaten on 37 off 34 (2 fours, 1 six) as Pakistan crossed the line in the 19th over. Usman Khan added the last few runs to complete a confident six-wicket triumph.
Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first began reasonably, with Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara putting up 20 for first wicket. But the destruction started when Shaheen Afridi removed Nissanka for 11 off 7, featuring four and a six.
Mishara carried the innings with determination, partnering with skipper Kusal Mendis in a 50-run stand to push Sri Lanka beyond the halfway mark. But when Mendis fell for 14 off 18 to Mohammad Nawaz, cracks began to form. Mishara’s fighting 59 off 47 (2 fours, 4 sixes) stood tall, but once he departed, Sri Lanka’s innings unraveled spectacularly.
Pakistan: 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: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have clashed 26 times in T20 internationals, with the hosts holding the edge with 15 wins compared to Sri Lanka’s 11. The league stage of this tri-series witnessed a nail-biting encounter, where Sri Lanka edged out Pakistan by a mere six runs.
Pakistan enter the final in blistering form, boasting five consecutive wins, three in the ongoing tri-series and two from their recent series triumph over South Africa at home. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on the confidence gained from their last victory over the hosts, aiming to turn it into a title-winning performance.
Complete schedule of Pakistan matches in ICC T20 World Cup 2026
