Pakistan cricket fans have plenty to celebrate as their national team etched its name into the record books, clinching the 2025 Tri-Nation T20 Series title with a commanding six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on November 29, 2025. The triumph, led by captain Salman Ali Agha, not only brought home another trophy but also delivered an unprecedented 21st T20 international victory of the year—a new national record for most T20 wins in a single calendar year.
What a journey it’s been for the men in green! The 2025 season saw Pakistan play an exhausting 34 T20 internationals, notching 21 wins and suffering 13 losses. This remarkable run surpassed their previous best of 20 victories in 2021, with earlier tallies of 17 wins in 2018 and 14 in 2022. The blend of consistency, resilience, and strategic brilliance has made this year one of the most prolific in Pakistan’s T20 history.
The Tri-Nation final in Rawalpindi was a showcase of Pakistan’s depth and discipline. Sri Lanka, coming off strong performances against Zimbabwe and Pakistan in earlier rounds, looked poised for a big total after reaching 81-1 at the halfway mark. Kamil Mishara anchored their innings with a gritty 59 off 47 balls, building a 64-run partnership with Kusal Mendis, who chipped in with 14 runs. But the wheels came off spectacularly for Sri Lanka, as they lost their last eight wickets for just 16 runs, folding for 114 in 19.1 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers were relentless. Mohammad Nawaz, the left-arm spinner, delivered a masterclass, picking up 3 wickets for 17 runs and cementing his status as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps. Abrar Ahmed chipped in with 2-18, while Saim Ayub, more renowned for his batting, also grabbed a wicket for just 17 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi, ever the strike bowler, wrapped up the tail with 3-18. Fielding was sharp too—Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batting maestro, contributed with two crucial catches, including a spectacular effort at long-off to dismiss Mendis and another to send Pavan Rathnayake packing.
Mohammad Nawaz’s all-round brilliance didn’t go unnoticed. He was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, a testament to his pivotal role throughout the tournament. Reflecting on his success, Nawaz said, “It is important to deliver when the team requires you. I plan with the coaches and try to keep it simple because, as a finger-spinner, you don’t have many options so I try to read the game and bowl accordingly.”
Chasing a modest 115 for victory, Pakistan’s openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan set the tone early. Ayub was aggressive in the powerplay, smashing three boundaries in a single over off Maheesh Theekshana and finishing with a brisk 36. Farhan kept the momentum going, adding 23 with some bold strokes against Wanindu Hasaranga. The chase wasn’t without hiccups, as Pavan Rathnayake struck twice in quick succession to dismiss both Salman Ali Agha and Fakhar Zaman. But Babar Azam, cool as ever, anchored the innings with a measured unbeaten 37 off 34 balls. He sealed the win with a boundary, guiding Pakistan to 118-4 with eight balls to spare.
Captain Salman Ali Agha, whose leadership has been instrumental in Pakistan’s resurgence, was all smiles after the game. “It was a great performance from us. We have been doing well in both ODIs and T20Is … we are pretty much ready for the World Cup. We still have six games before the World Cup to try out things if we want but we are pretty much clear on our 15 players,” he told reporters, brimming with confidence and clarity about the team’s direction.
This latest title capped off a period of dominance for Pakistan over Sri Lanka. Fresh off a clean sweep in their recent bilateral series, the green shirts showed no signs of complacency, instead tightening their grip on the contest when it mattered most. The disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and calculated batting chase all pointed to a team firing on all cylinders and peaking at just the right time.
Sri Lanka, for their part, will rue their sudden batting collapse. After a promising start, their inability to handle Pakistan’s spin attack proved costly. Mishara’s half-century was the lone highlight, as seasoned campaigners like Kusal Perera continued to struggle, managing just a single run. The middle and lower order never recovered from the pressure, with Nawaz and Ahmed exploiting every weakness.
Pakistan’s historic 21 T20 wins in 2025 are more than just a statistic—they’re a reflection of the team’s adaptability and depth. The squad has juggled formats and opposition with aplomb, and the emergence of new stars alongside established names like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi augurs well for the future. Mohammad Nawaz’s rise as a reliable all-rounder, Saim Ayub’s aggression at the top, and the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha have all been defining features of this record-breaking year.
The numbers tell a compelling story: 21 wins from 34 matches, a clean sweep over Sri Lanka in a bilateral series, and now a Tri-Nation title to their name. Each victory has built confidence and momentum as the team eyes the upcoming World Cup. With six more T20Is on the horizon before the global event, Pakistan’s management has the luxury of fine-tuning combinations and strategies without the pressure of uncertainty.
For fans and pundits alike, the question now is whether this golden run can translate into World Cup glory. The signs are promising—team morale is high, roles are clearly defined, and the balance between youth and experience seems just right. “We are pretty much ready for the World Cup,” said Salman Ali Agha, echoing the optimism felt across the nation.
As the dust settles on a memorable night in Rawalpindi, the players and supporters can savor a milestone that will be talked about for years to come. The record-breaking 21st T20 win is not just a feather in Pakistan’s cap—it’s a statement to the cricketing world that the boys in green are a force to be reckoned with, now and in the tournaments ahead.
With the trophy secured and confidence soaring, all eyes turn to the next challenge. The journey continues, but for now, Pakistan’s cricketers can bask in the glow of a truly historic achievement.
