Pakistan continued their impressive run in the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025 with a commanding seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Friday. Chasing 128, the home side reached 131/3 in only 15.3 overs, securing their fourth T20I victory in a row.
Sri Lanka, put in to bat, posted 128/7 in their 20 overs — a total that always looked under par on a good surface. Pathum Nissanka struck 17 off 23 balls, while Kamil Mishara injected momentum with a brisk 22 off 12. Kusal Perera’s 25 off 19 and Janith Liyanage’s steady 41* off 38 provided stability, but tight spells from Pakistan ensured Sri Lanka never broke free. Mohammad Nawaz was the standout bowler with 3 for 16, while Salman Mirza chipped in with one wicket. Sri Lanka’s innings featured five wides and minimal boundary flow in the middle overs.
Pakistan’s chase began with confidence as Saim Ayub (20 off 18) and Sahibzada Farhan put on a 47-run opening stand inside the powerplay. After Ayub fell to Shanaka, Farhan took full control of the innings. Showing raw power and excellent timing, he smashed an unbeaten 80 off just 45 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 177.78.
Sri Lanka briefly threatened when Dushmantha Chameera removed Babar Azam for 16 and trapped Salman Agha lbw the very next ball, reducing Pakistan to 116/3. But the momentum shift was short-lived, as Farhan maintained complete composure. The winning runs came in fitting fashion — Farhan lofting Eshan Malinga over mid-on for four.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled throughout the innings, with Malinga conceding 28 in 2.3 overs and Hasaranga, Viyaskanth and Shanaka all going wicketless. Chameera was the only bright spot with 2 for 29.
With this convincing win, Pakistan stay unbeaten after the first round of the tri-series, while Sri Lanka remain winless and under pressure heading into the next fixtures.
