Sri Lanka booked their place within the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025 final after defeating the house workforce by simply six runs on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, November 27.
Sri Lanka publish a powerful complete within the must-win sport
Sri Lanka’s innings, after shedding the toss, was anchored by Kamil Mishara’s blistering 76 off 48 deliveries, a knock laced with six fours and three sixes.
Mishara discovered strong assist from Kusal Mendis, who smashed a fast 40 off simply 23 balls, serving to the guests get better swiftly after Pathum Nissanka’s early exit for 8. Janith Liyanage additionally performed a gradual hand within the center overs, guaranteeing the run price by no means dipped.
Late fireworks got here from skipper Dasun Shanaka, whose fast 17 off 10 balls pushed Sri Lanka previous the 180 mark. Pakistan’s simplest bowler was Abrar Ahmed (2/28), who efficiently utilized stress within the center overs however couldn’t stop Sri Lanka from accelerating within the demise. The guests’ batting depth proved essential as they set a complete that was at all times going to check Pakistan beneath lights.
Dushmantha Chameera’s fierce powerplay burst and nerve-wrecking ultimate over
Sri Lanka’s victory was constructed on the again of Dushmantha Chameera’s extraordinary 4/20, a spell that mixed uncooked tempo, accuracy, and intelligent variations. He rattled Pakistan early by eradicating key top-order batters – together with Babar Azam for a duck – inside the powerplay.
His wicket-to-wicket traces left Pakistan struggling to regain momentum, and each breakthrough shifted the sport sharply towards Sri Lanka. Chameera’s ultimate over grew to become the defining second: with Pakistan needing simply 10 runs, he conceded solely three whereas bowling pinpoint yorkers. The decisive supply was a crushing yorker that eliminated Faheem Ashraf (7) and extinguished Pakistan’s hopes.
Younger pacer Eshan Malinga chipped in with 2/54, providing essential assist regardless of the stress of Pakistan’s late cost. Chameera’s spell was finally the distinction – incomes him the Participant of the Match award.
Pakistan’s late surge falls quick regardless of Salman Ali Agha’s heroics
Pakistan endured a shaky begin to their chase, shedding Sahibzada Farhan (9) and Babar early, leaving the center order with vital work to do. Temporary resistance got here from Saim Ayub (27) and Usman Khan (33), who tried to rebuild the innings with optimistic stroke play.
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The innings ultimately stabilized due to Salman Ali Agha’s unbeaten 63 off 44 balls, a composed and calculated knock that held Pakistan’s hopes collectively. He stitched collectively partnerships of 56 and 70 runs, regularly dragging Pakistan again into the competition.
With ten runs wanted within the ultimate over, the momentum appeared to favor the hosts. Nevertheless, dew-covered circumstances and rising rigidity couldn’t stop Chameera from executing flawlessly. Pakistan finished on 178/7, falling agonizingly in need of the goal by six runs.
The end result units Sri Lanka up for a showdown within the Tri-Sequence ultimate on Saturday (November 29), edging out Zimbabwe to safe their berth.
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