The Rawalpindi crowd was treated to a dazzling display of power-hitting and clinical bowling as Pakistan cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third match of the Tri-Nation T20I Series 2025. Sahibzada Farhan seized the spotlight with a career-best unbeaten 80 off just 45 balls, propelling the home side to their second consecutive win in the tournament and extending their T20I winning streak to four matches.
After Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat, the visitors hoped to shake off their prior struggles in Pakistan. Yet, their woes continued. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara looked promising early on, with Mishara particularly aggressive, smashing a four and a six in the opening overs. Mishara’s brisk 22 off 12 balls gave Sri Lanka a lively start, but Faheem Ashraf’s slower delivery in the fourth over induced a mistimed shot, and Fakhar Zaman made no mistake at mid-on.
From there, Pakistan’s bowlers tightened the screws. Kusal Mendis was run out for just 3, courtesy of Mohammad Wasim’s sharp fielding and Usman Khan’s quick hands behind the stumps. Abrar Ahmed then dismissed Nissanka for 17, with Babar Azam taking a smart catch at long-off, and Sri Lanka’s innings began to unravel.
The middle overs belonged to the spin duo of Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed. Nawaz, in particular, was on fire, claiming 3 wickets for just 16 runs. He struck twice in two balls in the 12th over, first clean bowling Kusal Perera for 25, and then sending Shanaka back for a golden duck with a sharply turning delivery. Kamindu Mendis’s attempted slog-sweep ended in a spectacular juggling catch by Wasim at deep mid-wicket, further denting Sri Lanka’s hopes.
With wickets tumbling, Sri Lanka’s lower order found it hard to accelerate. Wanindu Hasaranga managed 11 off 12 before falling to Salman Mirza, and the visitors could only muster 37 runs in the final five overs. Janith Liyanage stood firm with a fighting 41 not out off 38 balls, anchoring the innings amid the collapse, but Sri Lanka finished on a modest 128-7 after 20 overs. It was a far cry from the total they would have hoped for, especially after being bowled out for just 95 in their opening defeat to Zimbabwe.
As the teams switched innings, the energy in the stadium was palpable. Pakistan’s chase began with intent and aggression, as openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan wasted no time. The duo put on 47 runs in the first five overs, with Ayub contributing a quick 20 off 18 balls before falling to Shanaka’s clever bowling and a sharp stumping from Kusal Mendis.
Babar Azam joined Farhan at the crease, and together they stitched a 69-run partnership that all but sealed Sri Lanka’s fate. Farhan, showing no nerves, reached his half-century in just 33 balls, peppering the boundary with sixes and fours. His confidence was evident as he consistently found gaps and punished anything short or wide.
For a brief moment, Sri Lanka threatened a comeback. Dushmantha Chameera, steaming in with pace, bowled Babar Azam for 16 and trapped captain Salman Ali Agha lbw with consecutive deliveries, sending a ripple of excitement through the visiting camp. But Farhan remained unfazed. With composure and flair, he continued his assault, eventually sealing the win with a towering straight six off Chameera, eclipsing his previous T20 best of 74.
Pakistan reached the target in just 15.3 overs, finishing at 131-3. The home side’s dominance was clear—not only did they chase down the total with more than four overs to spare, but they did so with authority and style. Farhan’s unbeaten 80, laced with five sixes and six boundaries, rightfully earned him player-of-the-match honors and the adulation of fans and teammates alike.
After the match, captain Salman Ali Agha was full of praise for his side’s all-round display. “It was a complete game, we were very good with both bat and ball,” he said. Speaking about Farhan’s innings, he added, “We always wanted to start well, and he’s someone who if he bats for three to four overs, he can take the game away from any opposition.”
Sri Lanka’s camp, on the other hand, was left searching for answers. Captain Dasun Shanaka admitted, “We aren’t a team that should perform like this, we’re better than this. We feel very bad today...since we arrived here we have struggled to find rhythm batting in these pitches. We need to work on that a bit, but I’m sure we’re a better team than this.”
The result underscores the challenges Sri Lanka has faced on this tour. After a 3-0 white-ball series loss in the ODIs and a heavy defeat to Zimbabwe, their inability to adapt to the pace and spin-friendly conditions in Pakistan has been glaring. The batting order, aside from Liyanage’s resistance, has failed to fire, and their bowlers have struggled to contain Pakistan’s aggressive approach.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s unbeaten run in the league stage of the tri-series has positioned them as clear favorites heading into their next encounter. The team’s balance, with depth in both batting and bowling, has been a standout feature. Mohammad Nawaz’s left-arm spin has proven especially effective, and the pace unit, even without Shaheen Shah Afridi due to a foot injury, has maintained pressure.
Looking ahead, Pakistan will face Zimbabwe next on Sunday, November 23, 2025. With momentum firmly on their side, they’ll be aiming to continue their winning run and secure a spot in the tri-series final. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly if they hope to salvage their campaign and restore some pride.
For now, all eyes remain on Sahibzada Farhan, whose explosive performance has not only set a new personal benchmark but also signaled that Pakistan’s batting firepower is very much a force to be reckoned with in this tournament. As the tri-series heats up, fans can expect more fireworks and drama in the matches to come.
With the league stage drawing to a close and Pakistan in red-hot form, the stage is set for an exciting finish. Sri Lanka, battered but not beaten, will look to bounce back, while Pakistan’s confidence continues to soar. Cricket lovers won’t want to miss what happens next in this gripping T20 tri-series.
