Series ends 1-1 as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 14 runs in rain-hit third T20

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 14 runs in the third and final T20, leveling the three-match series at 1-1 after a rain-shortened contest in Dambulla on Sunday, 24NewsHD TV reported.

Sri Lanka set a daunting target of 161 runs after scoring 160 for 6 in a 12-over contest.

The toss at Dambulla was delayed by nearly two hours due to rain before Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Persistent showers forced officials to reduce the match to 12 overs per side.

Sri Lanka made full use of the shortened format, with Dasun Shanaka playing a blistering knock of 34 runs off just 9 balls.

Kusal Mendis chipped in with a quick 30 off 16 deliveries, while Charith Asalanka scored 21 off 13 balls.

Dhananjaya de Silva added 22 runs, and Kamil Mishara contributed 20 to push the hosts to a competitive total.

For Pakistan, Wasim Junior was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets. Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, and Faheem Ashraf picked up one wicket each.

In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 146 runs for the loss of eight wickets, falling short of the target.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was the top scorer with a blistering 45 off just 12 balls, while Khawaja Nafees contributed 26 runs from 15 deliveries.

Despite the late surge, Pakistan failed to chase down the steep target.

 Wanindu Hasaranga took three wickets after conceding 35 runs in three overs. 

With the second match of the series having been washed out due to rain, Sri Lanka’s victory in the third T20 ensured the series ended in a 1-1 draw.
 

The national team has made two changes for the match.

Fast bowler Naseem Shah and young wicketkeeper-batsman Khawaja Nafees have been drafted into the squad, with captain Salman Ali Agha confirming that Khawaja Nafees will make his T20 debut.

Pakistan currently leads the three-match T20 series 1-0 against the hosts, with the second match having been abandoned due to rain.

The third T20 will decide whether Pakistan can seal the series.

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasum Shanaka (capt) Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, Maheesha Pathirana
 
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Usman Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed