Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the rain-reduced third and final T20I to level the three-match T20I series 1-1 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 161, Pakistan managed 146-8 in their 20 overs. The visitors suffered an early setback as opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for nine off seven balls, including two boundaries, by Eshan Malinga.
Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha joined Saim Ayub, hitting consecutive boundaries to push the team past the 50-run mark in the fourth over.
However, Matheesha Pathirana broke the 51-run partnership by dismissing Agha for 45 off 12 balls, which included five fours and three sixes, leaving Pakistan at 60-2 in 3.4 overs.
The slide continued as Wanindu Hasaranga struck twice in his first over, removing Ayub for six off five balls and Usman Khan for one off three deliveries, leaving Pakistan reeling at 67-4 in 4.5 overs.
Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Nawaz then steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership, helping Pakistan cross the 100-run mark in the eighth over.
Hasaranga returned to claim Nafay’s wicket for 26 off 15 balls, including a four and a six, ending the stand at 116-5 in 9.1 overs.
He then removed Shadab Khan for six off three balls to continue Pakistan’s collapse.
Pathirana struck again, clean bowling Nawaz for 28 off 15 balls, featuring two fours and two sixes. With 20 runs required in the final over and only two wickets in hand, Pakistan were left struggling.
Faheem Ashraf was run out attempting a quick single, and the green shirts managed only five runs in the final over, finishing 146-8, with Mohammad Wasim Jr unbeaten on seven and Naseem Shah on one.
For Sri Lanka, Hasaranga led the charge with figures of 4/35 in three overs, while Pathirana picked up two wickets and Malinga added one more.
Earlier, Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis struck brisk innings as Sri Lanka posted 160 for six in 12 overs against Pakistan in the rain-hit third game.
Pakistan had won the toss and opted to bowl first in the match, reduced to 12 overs per side after rain delayed the game by around two hours.
After being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka lost opener Pathum Nissanka for a duck in the very first over to Naseem Shah.
Kamil Mishara played aggressively, striking 20 runs off eight balls, including three fours and a six, before falling to Mohammad Wasim Jr, leaving the hosts at 22-2 in 1.5 overs.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Mendis then steadied the innings, putting on a 32-run partnership and taking Sri Lanka past the 50-run mark in the fifth over.
De Silva was dismissed for 22 off 15 balls by Mohammad Nawaz on the first delivery of the sixth over, leaving the score at 54-3.
Mendis was well supported by Charith Asalanka, with the pair taking the total past 100 runs in the ninth over.
However, Pakistan struck back as Wasim Jr removed Mendis for 30 off 16 balls, ending a 46-run partnership. Faheem Ashraf then dismissed Asalanka for 21 off 13 balls, leaving Sri Lanka at 102-5 in 9.1 overs.
Shanaka and Janith Liyanage added late momentum, with Shanaka hitting five sixes in a 34-run cameo off nine balls before falling to Wasim Jr.
Liyanage remained unbeaten on 22 off eight balls, including three fours and a six, while Wanindu Hasaranga finished not out on one.
For Pakistan, Wasim Jr finished with figures of 3-54 in three overs, while Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf took one wicket each.