Sri Lanka ended Pakistan’s winning run in the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series with a convincing eight-wicket victory in the third and final match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Despite the defeat, Pakistan secured the series 2-1 after winning the opening two matches.
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan delivered another impressive batting performance, scoring 76 runs to help his side post 168/8 in 20 overs. However, Sri Lanka responded confidently, chasing down the 169-run target in just 17.1 overs to finish at 172/2.
Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis led the successful chase with an unbeaten 87, while Kamindu Mendis provided valuable support with an unbeaten 40. The result gave Sri Lanka a consolation victory and prevented Pakistan from completing a clean sweep on home soil.
Sahibzada Farhan Leads Pakistan’s Batting Effort
Pakistan struggled to build sustained partnerships during their innings, losing wickets at regular intervals after being asked to bat first. Despite the setbacks, Farhan anchored the innings with a commanding 76 off 47 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
The Pakistan captain continued his outstanding form throughout the series, producing his third consecutive half-century. His ability to score consistently proved one of the major positives for the hosts, even as the rest of the batting lineup found it difficult to maintain momentum.
Farhan received useful support from Arafat Minhas, who remained unbeaten on 34. Minhas helped Pakistan reach a competitive total of 168/8, providing late runs when the team needed them most.
However, Pakistan’s middle order could not capitalise fully on Farhan’s contribution. Regular wickets prevented the hosts from accelerating as effectively as they had in the previous two matches.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers deserve credit for keeping the scoring under control. Captain Dasun Shanaka led the attack with three wickets for 21 runs, while Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga claimed two wickets apiece.
Their disciplined performance restricted Pakistan to a total that Sri Lanka ultimately chased down with considerable ease.
Kusal Mendis Powers Sri Lanka to a Comfortable Chase
Sri Lanka began their reply knowing that a strong start would be essential against Pakistan’s bowling attack. Although Lahiru Udara departed early, the visitors recovered quickly through an important contribution from Sineth Jayawardena.
Jayawardena scored 38 off 26 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes. His aggressive approach helped Sri Lanka maintain a healthy scoring rate and reduced the pressure on the middle order.
Kusal Mendis then took control of the chase. The Sri Lankan captain remained unbeaten on 87 off 48 balls, combining powerful hitting with effective placement to guide his team towards victory.
Mendis found an excellent partner in Kamindu Mendis, who contributed an unbeaten 40 from 27 deliveries. Their partnership ensured that Sri Lanka remained firmly in control during the latter stages of the innings.
The visitors reached 172/2 in 17.1 overs, winning by eight wickets with 17 balls remaining. Kusal’s outstanding knock earned him the spotlight in a match where Sri Lanka’s batting unit comfortably outperformed Pakistan’s bowlers.
The victory demonstrated Sri Lanka’s ability to recover after losing the first two matches and finish the series on a positive note.
Pakistan Win the T20I Series 2-1
Although Pakistan lost the final match, their performances in the first two T20Is had already secured the series. The hosts won the opening game by four wickets on October 9 before registering a dominant 82-run victory in the second match on October 11.
The second T20I was particularly impressive for Pakistan, with Maaz Sadaqat scoring 96 and Farhan contributing 73 as the hosts posted 215/3. Muhammad Imran then claimed three wickets for 11 runs, helping Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka to 133/7.
Those victories established an unassailable 2-0 lead before the visitors responded in the final encounter.
For Pakistan, the overall series result remains encouraging. The team demonstrated considerable batting strength in the opening two matches, while Farhan’s consistent performances highlighted his importance to the T20I setup.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will take confidence from their final-match response. Their bowlers restricted Pakistan to 168, and the batting lineup chased the target with authority.
Sahibzada Farhan Sets a Significant T20I Record
Farhan’s performances across the series have added another milestone to his growing international career. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), he accumulated 238 runs across the three matches, setting a record for the most runs in a three-match bilateral men’s T20I series between two Full Member nations.
His three consecutive half-centuries demonstrated remarkable consistency and gave Pakistan a dependable batting option throughout the contest.
Even in defeat, Farhan’s 76 in the final match reinforced his importance to the side. His leadership and scoring ability will be valuable as Pakistan prepare for their upcoming international assignments.
The series also provided opportunities for younger players, including Maaz Sadaqat and Arafat Minhas, to make meaningful contributions at international level.
What Lies Ahead for Pakistan and Sri Lanka?
Pakistan will take several positives from winning the series, particularly Farhan’s batting form and the team’s strong performances in the first two matches. However, the final T20I exposed areas that the coaching staff may want to address, including middle-order consistency and the ability to contain aggressive batting during a chase.
Sri Lanka will be encouraged by their eight-wicket victory, especially the performances of Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis. Their successful chase showed how effectively the team can respond when its top order establishes momentum.
While Pakistan finished the series as the overall winners, Sri Lanka’s final-match performance ensured the contest ended with renewed confidence for the visitors.
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