HIGHLIGHTS Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, T20I Tri-Series in Pakistan 2025, Final T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the chase! The players are already out in the middle now. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are the two openers for Pakistan. Sri Lanka going with spin straightaway as Maheesh Theekshana will start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Pakistan themselves might be surprised by how quickly the game swung their way. They had a slightly quiet Powerplay, but Shaheen Afridi provided the breakthrough by removing Pathum Nissanka. From there, it was a completely different contest as the spinners stamped their authority on the game. Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Saim Ayub shared six wickets between them, conceding only 52 runs across 12 overs and choking the life out of the Sri Lankan innings. As if that pressure wasn’t enough, Afridi returned in the 19th over to strike twice more, before Salman Mirza cleaned up the tail. The bowlers have done their job to perfection, and Pakistan’s batters will now back themselves to finish the chase and lift the trophy. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

Mohammad Nawaz is in for a chat. He shares that Saim was given the ball early and after they noticed it was spinning and gripping quite a lot, the captain decided to bring him on. Nawaz adds that despite a left hander being at the crease, he focused on getting the ball to turn and landing it in the right areas. Mentions that there is definitely more assistance for the spinners than usual, so they have to be careful and start well with the bat.

Despite losing Pathum Nissanka early, Sri Lanka dominated the Powerplay with 56/1 on the board, with Kamil Mishara once again setting the tempo as he had in the previous game. He found solid support from Kusal Mendis, who was content to play the supporting role to the youngster’s fluency, and they added 64 runs together. Mishara displayed a fine range of strokes and clean hitting to register his second consecutive half-century against Pakistan, but that was as far as the resistance went. Once the ball began to turn, Sri Lanka looked short of answers and clear planning. Beyond the top three, no other batter managed to reach double figures, underlining a disappointing performance in a high-pressure final.

A story of sudden momentum swings! Sri Lanka looked firmly in control at 84/1, but the game turned dramatically within minutes. Kusal Mendis attempted to accelerate after the Drinks break, only to perish, and that moment opened the door for Pakistan. From there on, it was all one-way traffic as the Lankan batting completely unravelled - the last eight wickets crashed for just 16 runs, with the innings folding for a mere 114.

Salman Mirza to Dushmantha Chameera, OUT! BOWLED! That's that for the Lankan innings. A collapse of epic proportions. Sri Lanka lose 9 wickets for 30 runs to be bowled out for 114. Mirza steams in from around the wicket, full and at the sticks. Dushmantha Chameera has an ungainly swipe across the line but is beaten past the inside edge. The ball goes on to disturb the furniture.

Shaheen Afridi to Eshan Malinga, Full toss, on middle, Eshan Malinga forces it towards long on but does not take the run.

Can Pakistan bowl Sri Lanka out here?

Shaheen Afridi to Eshan Malinga, WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Eshan Malinga fails to glance it away. Wided.

Eshan Malinga is the last man in.

Shaheen Afridi to Maheesh Theekshana, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Two in the over for Shaheen Afridi. Full and sprayed down leg from around the wicket, Maheesh Theekshana walks across his stumps and gets low to sweep it past short fine leg. He goes through the shot early and the ball lobs off the back of the bat. It goes behind towards the keeper, Usman Khan who moves to his left and does the rest.

Shaheen Afridi to Dushmantha Chameera, Leg bye! Full and on the pads, Dushmantha Chameera has a swing at it but misses and the ball rolls away off the pads for a leg bye.

Shaheen Afridi to Maheesh Theekshana, On middle and leg, on a length, Maheesh Theekshana nudges it in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana comes out to the middle now.

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, OUT! TIMBER! Shaheen Afridi says, 'I will do it myself. ' Afridi and Fakhar Zaman turn around and appeal while looking in the direction of where the third umpire is seated. Pace off by Shaheen, full and on middle and leg. Dasun Shanaka backs away and exposes all three stumps. He swings to go down the ground but plays down the wrong line. The ball sneaks past the outside edge to clatter into the leg pole.

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, All the hard work undone by grounding the ball. A big moment in the game. Not the best of balls first up by Shaheen on his return to the attack. Takes pace off but drifts on the pads, on a length. Dasun Shanaka closes the bat face and looks to work it away on the leg side. Closes the bat face early and gets a leading edge that goes over short third. Fakhar Zaman runs over his left shoulder and stretches his hands out in front. He holds onto the catch. It is referred upstairs. The third umpire is called into action. The replays show that as Fakhar he lands on the ground and slides through, the ball rubs against the turf with it being in his left hand. Pakistan are not happy with the decision but they will have to get on with it.

Shaheen Afridi (2-0-16-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

Mohammad Nawaz to Dushmantha Chameera, Goes past the bat! Short and at 87.4 kph, around off. Dushmantha Chameera hangs back to deal with it. The ball lands and spins past the blade. Nawaz ends with superb figures of 4-0-17-3.

Dushmantha Chameera walks out to bat now.

Mohammad Nawaz to Wanindu Hasaranga, OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Mohammad Nawaz had just two balls left in his spell but Wanindu Hasaranga couldn't resist himself. Nawaz offers flight and tempts Hasaranga into the big shot. Full and on off and middle. Wanindu gets down on a knee and goes hard on the slog sweep. Fails to connect as the ball spins past the bat to uproot the off pole. Nawaz has his third wicket. Hasaranga falls for 5 (11). Sri Lanka are now 111/7.

Mohammad Nawaz to Wanindu Hasaranga, Grip and turn for Nawaz. Short and around off, Hasaranga gives himself room and cuts it to the left of deep cover for a brace.

Mohammad Nawaz to Wanindu Hasaranga, Shorter and on leg, Hasaranga stabs it down on the leg side.

Mohammad Nawaz to Dasun Shanaka, Sliding on with the arm, at the sticks. Dasun Shanaka stays back to a full ball and makes room. Chops it past point for a run.

Mohammad Nawaz to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short and on off, Hasaranga backs away and slaps it to long off for a single.

Abrar Ahmed to Dasun Shanaka, Drops it short, on middle. Shanaka hammers it straight to mid-wicket.

Abrar Ahmed to Wanindu Hasaranga, Shorter and quicker, on middle, Hasaranga works it past mid-wicket for a single.

Abrar Ahmed to Wanindu Hasaranga, A swing and a miss! Loops it up, full and outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga gets down on a knee for the slog sweep but the ball turns past the outside edge.

Abrar Ahmed to Wanindu Hasaranga, Pushed through and the length stays short, on off, Hasaranga hangs back to defend.

Abrar Ahmed to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short and on off, Hasaranga eases it to cover.

Abrar Ahmed to Wanindu Hasaranga, Floated up, on off, Wanindu Hasaranga knocks it to cover.

Mohammad Nawaz to Dasun Shanaka, Flat and short, on middle, Dasun Shanaka taps it down on the off side.

Mohammad Nawaz to Wanindu Hasaranga, DROPPED! A sharp chance and Salman Agha cannot react quickly enough! Short and around off, Wanindu Hasaranga waits back and stays leg side of the ball. Despite there being a slip in place, Wanindu looks to run it down by opening the bat face. Steers it towards Agha at slip, who gets his hands together to his left but the ball evades him and goes behind off his left thigh. They cross.

Mohammad Nawaz to Wanindu Hasaranga, Beautiful delivery! Drifting in from around the wicket, full and on middle. Wanindu Hasaranga presents a straight bat and plays for the ball angling into him but the ball lands and spins past the outside edge with bounce.

Wanindu Hasaranga comes out to the middle now.

Mohammad Nawaz to Janith Liyanage, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Another one bites the dust. This is dropped short, outside off. Not that wide for the cut but Janith Liyanage makes room to force it through the off side. The ball skids through and stays low to catch the inside edge. It crashes back into the stumps. A two-ball duck for Liyanage. From being 84/1, Sri Lanka are now 105/6.

Mohammad Nawaz to Janith Liyanage, Speared in, full and attacking the front pad, Janith Liyanage blocks it out.

Mohammad Nawaz to Dasun Shanaka, Tossed up, full and on off, Dasun gets across and sweeps it fine to deep fine leg for a single.

Janith Liyanage is the new man in.

Abrar Ahmed to Pavan Rathnayake, OUT! TAKEN! Abrar Ahmed with the double whammy, and Sri Lanka slips further down. Loopy delivery, full and on off, Pavan Rathnayake uses his feet to loft it away, but all he manages is a top edge. The ball goes in the air towards long off, where Babar Azam comes forward and takes it easily. His third catch of the match. Pavan goes back for a struggling 8 off 11, and Sri Lanka lose half their side now.

Abrar Ahmed to Dasun Shanaka, A googly, full and on middle, turns in, Dasun Shanaka uses his feet to clip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards short third and the batters get a leg bye. There is also a shout for LBW, but turned down.

The captain of Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka walks in next.

Abrar Ahmed to Kusal Perera, OUT! TAKEN! Abrar Ahmed joins the party now. He bowls a flighted delivery, full and on middle, holds up in the surface. Kusal Perera goes down for the slog sweep but only manages to get a top edge. The ball flies high in the air, and the keeper, Usman Khan, calls for it. He runs forward beside the pitch on the leg side and pouches it safely. Lanka are four down now and in big trouble.

Abrar Ahmed to Pavan Rathnayake, Tossed up, full and on middle, Pavan Rathnayake thumps it aerially but just past the bowler towards long on for a run.

Abrar Ahmed to Kusal Perera, Floated, full and on off, Kusal Perera swipes it to deep square leg for a run.

Abrar Ahmed to Pavan Rathnayake, Flighted, full and on middle. Pavan Rathnayake steps out and knocks it to long on for a single.

Saim Ayub to Kusal Perera, RIPPER! Slower through the air, full and on middle, grips and turns away again. Kusal Perera once again gets squared up as the ball goes past the outside edge.

Saim Ayub to Kusal Perera, Flighted, full and on middle, Kusal Perera blocks it out.

Saim Ayub to Kusal Perera, Flatter, full and around middle, Kusal Perera changes his stance to play the reverse sweep but gets a bottom edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere.

Saim Ayub to Pavan Rathnayake, Short and on middle, Pavan Rathnayake nudges it towards mid-wicket for one.

Saim Ayub to Kusal Perera, NOT OUT! That is a peach of a delivery from Saim Ayub, though. He flights it up, full and on, almost pitches it on leg. It grips and turns away sharply. Kusal Perera gets opened up as he tries to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the back thigh. The ball rolls towards short third and the batters take a leg bye. Ayub looks very interested and convinces Salman Agha to take the review. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, but Ball Tracking shows it to be going over the stumps. Perera survives!

LBW review! Not given by Ahsan Raza, but that looked a bit high. Kusal Perera has been rapped on the back thigh. As expected, the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is going over the off stump.

Kusal Perera comes out to bat.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, OUT! TAKEN! Saim Ayub gets the prized scalp of Kamil Mishara here. He tosses it up, full and on off, Mishara skips down the track to go big, but he too does not get to the pitch of it. Still goes through the shot and hits it from the toe-end of the bat. It goes high in the air towards long off, where Babar Azam runs a long way forward and dives in to take a fantastic catch. The crowd absolutely loves it. Mishara departs for a fine 59 off 47, and Lanka are three down now.

Mohammad Nawaz to Kamil Mishara, Goes short and around middle, turns in, Kamil Mishara swats it to long on for one.

Mohammad Nawaz to Kamil Mishara, Flighted, full and outside off, Kamil Mishara uses his feet and drives it wide of long off for a brace.

Mohammad Nawaz to Pavan Rathnayake, Arm ball, full and angling into leg, Pavan Rathnayake works it towards mid-wicket for another run.

Mohammad Nawaz to Kamil Mishara, Fires one full and on off, Kamil Mishara drills it towards mid off for a quick run.

Mohammad Nawaz to Kamil Mishara, Swing and a miss! Slows it up, full and around off, turns in a bit. Kamil Mishara throws the kitchen sink at it but fails to connect.

Mohammad Nawaz to Pavan Rathnayake, Tossed up, full and on off, Pavan Rathnayake taps it in front of point for a single.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Another short delivery, on off, Kamil Mishara stabs it out to extra cover.

Saim Ayub to Pavan Rathnayake, A bit quicker, short and on leg, keeps low. Pavan Rathnayake tries to pull it away but it goes off his pads towards short fine. A leg bye taken.

Saim Ayub to Pavan Rathnayake, Flighted, full and on off, Pavan Rathnayake knocks it to the left of the bowler.

Saim Ayub to Pavan Rathnayake, Flatter, shortish and down the leg side, Pavan Rathnayake goes down and swipes it away past short fine leg for a brace.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Short again and on middle, Kamil Mishara punches it to long on for a single.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Shorter in length and on leg, Kamil Mishara moves back and flicks it away through square leg for a run. He slips at the other end but calls for the second run. The throw is wayward one at the middle of the pitch and the batters make it easily. Usman Khan, the keeper, moves forward to collect the throw but gets hit on his left wrist. That will sting a bit.

Mohammad Nawaz to Kamil Mishara, Drags his length back and outside off, Kamil Mishara cuts it to deep point for one.

Mohammad Nawaz to Pavan Rathnayake, Slightly short and on middle, Pavan Rathnayake nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Mohammad Nawaz to Pavan Rathnayake, MISSED STUMPING! Tossed up, full and on off, grips and turns away. Pavan Rathnayake gets drawn forward to play but the ball spins past the outside edge as he loses his balance as well. However, Usman Khan, the keeper, fails to collect it cleanly and the chance goes begging.

Pavan Rathnayake is in next.

Mohammad Nawaz to Kusal Mendis, OUT! TAKEN! Mohammad Nawaz strikes right away. The break in play brings in a wicket once again, and the budding 64-run stand is now broken. This is floated, full and around off, Kusal Mendis skips down the track to loft it down the ground. However, he does not quite get to the pitch of the ball and fails to get the elevation. It flies much flatter and towards long off, where Babar Azam judges it nicely and takes it above his head just ahead of the ropes. Mendis walks back for a scratchy 14 off 18, and Sri Lanka are 84/2.

Mohammad Nawaz to Kamil Mishara, Uppish but safe! Quicker, short and on middle, Kamil Mishara tries to pull it away but the ball gets big on him. He mistimes it in the air but it lands well in front of long on. A single taken.

Mohammad Nawaz to Kamil Mishara, FIFTY FOR MISHARA! Back-to-back half-centuries for him against Pakistan. This has been another fine knock from the youngster, but he will want to make it even bigger. Flatter, short and around off, Kamil Mishara rocks back and cuts it past backward point for a couple of runs.

DRINKS! Sri Lanka are going along nicely despite losing Pathum Nissanka early on. Kamil Mishara has looked as good as ever and is nearing another fifty, while Kusal Mendis is playing the supporting role. This pair will look to extend this partnership for another 3-4 overs, and then the big guns can come in and provide the finish at the death. For Pakistan, the spinners will be key, as we have already seen the ball holding up and turning a bit as well. So, it will be interesting to see the battle between bat and ball in the next few overs. Mohammad Nawaz to bowl after the break.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, This is short, on off, Mishara makes room and cuts it to deep point for another single.

Saim Ayub to Kusal Mendis, Full and on leg, Mendis flicks it past mid-wicket for a run.

Saim Ayub to Kusal Mendis, This turns away, short and on off, Kusal hangs back to defend.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Drops it short, stays low, around off. Mishara works it past cover for a single.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Flat and short, on off, punched to cover.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Wow, prodigious turn! Fired in by Ayub, on off. Kamil Mishara stays back to a full ball and looks to punch it away but the ball rips past the outside edge.

Abrar Ahmed to Kamil Mishara, Top edge but safe! This is at 73 kph, and on the shorter side, on middle. Kamil Mishara shapes up for the pull but is through his shot early and the ball kicks up a bit to catch the top edge. It balloons and drops in the vacant square leg region. They cross.

Abrar Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Full and on middle and leg, Kusal turns it through mid-wicket and crosses over.

Abrar Ahmed to Kamil Mishara, Keeps it short, on off, Kamil hammers it towards extra cover, where the fielder dives to his right and parries it away to deep point for one.

Abrar Ahmed to Kamil Mishara, Wide! Short and quick but beyond the tramline on off. Mishara flashes but misses.

Abrar Ahmed to Kamil Mishara, SIX! Put away with disdain! A real drag down by Abrar, on middle and leg. Kamil Mishara is quick to rock back and clears the front leg. Pummels it over deep mid-wicket for a six. First boundary in 3 overs for Sri Lanka. The 50-run stand comes up between this pair.

Abrar Ahmed to Kamil Mishara, Hangs it up there, fractionally short, on middle. Kamil punches it to cover.

Abrar Ahmed to Kamil Mishara, Slanting into the pads, Kamil Mishara steps out but is beaten on the flick. Gets rapped on the front pad.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Short and wide on off, slapped to deep cover for a single.

Saim Ayub to Kusal Mendis, Short and on off, the ball stays low but Mendis adjusts by crouching for the pull. Toe ends the shot to deep mid-wicket for one.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Angled in at the stumps, on a nagging length, Kamil Mishara makes room and pushes it past cover for one more.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Wide! Fired beyond the tramline on off. Kamil lets it be.

Saim Ayub to Kusal Mendis, Oh, that kept very low! This is short, on off, Kusal goes on the back foot to deal with it but the ball does not rise and scoots through. Kusal does well to adjust and taps it to long on for one.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Short and spinning away, on off. Mishara drags it through mid-wicket for a run.

Saim Ayub to Kamil Mishara, Finds the edge! Tossed up from around the wicket, full and on off. Kamil Mishara looks to ease it through the off side but the ball grips and spins to catch the outside edge. No slip and it races past short third. Abrar Ahmed gives it a chase and slides to keep the ball in play. Two runs taken.

Double change. Salman Agha going with spin from both ends and brings Saim Ayub into the attack now.

Abrar Ahmed to Kamil Mishara, Tight single! Pushed through, fuller and outside off, Mishara works it in front of short third and scampers to the other end. Salman Mirza swoops in and releases the ball quickly on the bounce towards the keeper. Usman Khan whips the bails off and appeals with confidence. The third umpire is called into action but Mendis is home with a dive.

Abrar Ahmed to Kamil Mishara, From around the wicket, turning back in sharply into the pads. It is on the shorter side but the ball stays low, Kamil Mishara clips it to mid-wicket.

Abrar Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, This slides on with the arm, quicker through the air, on middle. Mendis nurdles it in front of square on the leg side for one.

Abrar Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, Slows it down and gets the ball to grip and turn, short and outside off. Kusal Mendis steers it to point.

Abrar Ahmed to Kamil Mishara, Drops it short, on middle and leg. Kamil Mishara presses back and punches it to long off for one.

Abrar Ahmed has been hit hard on his right thumb and is looking in some pain here. The physio comes in to check on him. Magic Spray has done its magic, and we are good to go again.

Abrar Ahmed to Kusal Mendis, TOUGH CHANCE! Abrar starts with a flighted delivery, full and on off. Kusal Mendis dances down the track and slams it back towards the bowler. It goes at shoulder height to Ahmed's right and he tries to take the catch with his fingers pointing upwards. The ball bursts through his hands and goes behind for a single. That will hurt a lot on a cold evening in Rawalpindi. Looks like he has copped a blow on the right thumb.

Sri Lanka are 56/1 after 6 overs. Time for some spin now straight after the Powerplay. Abrar Ahmed replaces Faheem Ashraf.

Salman Mirza to Kusal Mendis, On a hard length, on off, Mendis glides it to deep backward point for a single. 17 runs off the over. A good end to the Powerplay for Sri Lanka.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, On a good length, on middle and leg, Mishara nudges it through mid-wicket and crosses over.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, FOUR LEG BYES! A scrambled seam delivery by Mirza. Too straight, at the hips, on a back of a length. Kamil fails to get any bat on the tickle. The ball brushes the thigh pad and beats the dive of the keeper to his right for four more.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, FOUR! 50 up for Sri Lanka! Into the surface, outside off, Mishara picks the slower one and waits for the ball to arrive. Flays it over point for a boundary.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, SIX! All the way! Angled into the left-hander, on a good length, on middle. Kamil Mishara is able to hit through the line and with a high elbow, he lofts it back over the bowler's head for a six. The ball lands just beyond the boundary cushions.

Salman Mirza to Kusal Mendis, An off-cutter, full and at the sticks, Kusal Mendis taps it in front of mid off for a single.

Faheem Ashraf to Kusal Mendis, On a length and on leg, Kusal Mendis tucks it towards mid-wicket for one.

Faheem Ashraf to Kusal Mendis, In the air...SAFE! Another slower one, full and just outside off. Kusal Mendis tries to reach out and loft it over covers but gets a top edge. It goes high in the air and lands over Salman Agha, who runs backwards from mid off. Two taken.

Faheem Ashraf to Kamil Mishara, Fuller and on middle, Kamil Mishara drives it to the left of mid off for a run.

Faheem Ashraf to Kamil Mishara, Change of pace, hard length and outside off, angles away and keeps low too. Kamil Mishara swings all over it and misses.

Faheem Ashraf to Kamil Mishara, SIX! Top shot! A slower one, full and on middle, in the slot as well. Kamil Mishara gets right under it and hits through the line. Tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Faheem Ashraf to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length and on off, Kusal Mendis runs it down to deep third for a single.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, A mix-up but no harm done! On a length and on off, Kamil Mishara pats it towards covers and sets off for the run but is sent back. Saim Ayub collects the ball and has a shy at the batter's end but misses, with Mishara having to put a dive.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, Fullish and on leg, Kamil Mishara tucks it to mid-wicket.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, SIX! BOOM! He connects well this time. Pitched up and on middle and off. Kamil Mishara clears his front leg away and drags his slog over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, Swing and a miss! Much fuller and on off, nips away a bit. Kamil Mishara tries to go big down the ground but tries to hit it a bit too hard and fails to connect.

Salman Mirza to Kusal Mendis, On a length and on off, Kusal Mendis guides it through point for a single.

Salman Mirza to Kusal Mendis, BEAUTY! Good-length delivery, on the fifth stump line, angling across the batter. Kusal Mendis tries to push it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Shaheen Afridi to Kusal Mendis, On a length and on leg, Kusal Mendis clips it through square leg for a run and gets off the mark.

Shaheen Afridi to Kusal Mendis, Hard length and on off, angling in, Kusal Mendis blocks it out.

Kusal Mendis comes in at number 3.

Shaheen Afridi to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! BOWLED'EM! A perfect response from Shaheen Afridi, and he sends the in-form Pathum Nissanka back to the hut. Afridi cleverly rolls his fingers to take pace off, serves this full and on off and middle. Nissanka's eyes light up and he goes for the big slog across the line. However, he does not pick the slower one at all and goes through his shot decades early. He misses and the ball goes through to shatter the stumps behind. Nissanka falls for 11 off 7, and Sri Lanka are 20/1.

Shaheen Afridi to Pathum Nissanka, SIX! BANG! He has hit that right from the middle of the bat. Back of a length and on middle, not high enough to trouble the batter. Pathum Nissanka picks up the length early, swivels and pulls it powerfully over the deep square leg fence for the first biggie of the final.

Shaheen Afridi to Pathum Nissanka, Good-length delivery, on middle and off. Not that short to pull, but Pathum Nissanka goes for it anyway. Gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball goes towards short third. Mishara is halfway down the pitch, but is sent back.

Shaheen Afridi to Kamil Mishara, Full and angling into leg, Kamil Mishara knocks it towards mid on for a single.

Salman Mirza to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and around off, sits up nicely for the batter. Pathum Nissanka gets on top of it and swats it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Salman Mirza to Pathum Nissanka, Nicely bowled! Salman Mirza nails the yorker now, on middle. Pathum Nissanka just about gets his bat down in time to dig it out as the ball just bounces over the stumps. That was close.

Salman Mirza to Pathum Nissanka, Lands this on a good length and on off, angles away. Pathum Nissanka waits for it, opens the face of his bat and steers it away but finds the short third fielder. A bit to the left or right and it would have been a boundary.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Kamil Mishara drills it towards mid on for a quick single.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, Full again and on off, shapes away a bit, Kamil Mishara pushes it to short cover.

Salman Mirza to Kamil Mishara, Salman Mirza begins with a fuller delivery, on off, Kamil Mishara drives it firmly but straight to mid off.

Salman Mirza will operate from the other end.

Shaheen Afridi to Kamil Mishara, Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, angling in, Kamil Mishara gets hurried and miscues his pull shot off the gloves through square leg for one. 8 runs off the first over then!

Shaheen Afridi to Kamil Mishara, FOUR! Excellent shot! A slower one again but way too full and on off. Kamil Mishara picks it up early, gets his hands through the drive and crunches it past cover for the first boundary of the final.

Shaheen Afridi to Kamil Mishara, Takes pace off, hits the length hard and on off, Kamil Mishara gets deceived by the lack of pace and only manages to pat it down the pitch.

Shaheen Afridi to Kamil Mishara, WIDE! Another pitched-up delivery down the leg side, Kamil Mishara fails to glance it away. Called a wide.

Shaheen Afridi to Kamil Mishara, Touch fuller and on middle, angling in sharply. Kamil Mishara looks to work it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball rolls towards point. Mishara sets off for the run but is sent back. The fielder misses his shy at the batter's end. The Lankans think about the overthrow but decide against it in the end.

Shaheen Afridi to Kamil Mishara, Short of a length and on middle and off, Kamil Mishara stays back and punches it but straight to short cover.

Shaheen Afridi to Kamil Mishara, WIDE! Errs in line and serves this full but way down the leg side, Kamil Mishara lets it go. Wided.

Shaheen Afridi to Pathum Nissanka, Pathum Nissanka and Sri Lanka are up and running in the final! Shaheen Afridi starts with a back-of-a-length delivery around off. Nissanka hops up to ride the bounce and guides it towards third man for a single.

We are done with the national anthems. It's time to get the final underway. Not a packed house just yet, but the crowd is building nicely. Salman Agha leads his men out on the park. They are followed by the two Lankan openers, Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka. Shaheen Afridi will start the attack for the home side. Shaheen to Nissanka with a wide slip in place. Here we go!

Before we begin, the two teams and match officials will observe a moment of silence as a mark of respect for the lives lost in the devastating floods and landslides in Sri Lanka. It is now time for the national anthems. It will be Sri Lanka's first, followed by that of Pakistan.

PITCH REPORT - Ramiz Raja points out that this is a drastically different-looking surface from what we have seen so far. Adds that there is hardly any grass. Pommie Mbangwa adds that there are a whole lot of cracks running across the surface. Shares that the scores while batting first on this pitch in this series have been 195, 162 and 128, which tells a story. His message to both teams is to put the past out of their minds and focus only on the conditions in front of them. He expects the surface to be a bit sticky early on, with a slight sheen on the top, but it should get better to bat on as the game progresses.

Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka, says that the cold is not a problem as they are used to these conditions. Adds that this is a different game and they need to get the basics right. Mentions that anything over 160 would be a good total. Says that he always enjoys his time in Pakistan and is also thankful to the army for providing them with excellent security. Informs that they are unchanged.

Pakistan's captain Salman Agha says that they have chosen to bowl first, and although this is not a typical Rawalpindi surface, it looks like a 170 to 180 wicket. Expects the dew to play its part later in the evening. Believes that they need to play good cricket and make sure they execute their plans. Adds that the belief is strong that if they do that, they are good enough to beat any side in the world. States that they are treating this as just another game, something that helps ease the pressure in situations like these. Further says that for them, it is all about starting well with both bat and ball, because whenever they manage that, they usually go on to win their matches. Informs that Shaheen Afridi is back, and Mohammad Wasim misses out.

Sri Lanka (Unchanged Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (C), Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (C), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (In place of Mohammad Wasim), Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.

TOSS - The coin lands in favour of Salman Agha, and Pakistan have elected to BOWL first.

A special word as well for the Sri Lanka cricket team, who have chosen to donate all the money earned from this Tri-Nation Series to support the victims of the devastating floods and landslides back home. It’s a gesture that goes well beyond the game, showing heart, unity, and responsibility in a time of need. Cricket may be the contest tonight, but compassion is the real winner here.

Interesting stat to note - Fakhar Zaman has a terrific record in T20I finals, averaging 41 at a strike rate close to 152. That said, there’s a contrasting memory against Sri Lanka, as in the only T20I final he has played against them, during the 2022 Asia Cup, he was dismissed for a golden duck. Cricket does love a storyline! 

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will draw confidence from their last league meeting where they had to bring Pakistan down and held their nerve in a tense finish, with Dushmantha Chameera delivering a sensational four-wicket haul. He’s had good support from Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis, who have been among the runs throughout the series. Add to that the class of Pathum Nissanka, the power of Dasun Shanaka, and the all-round brilliance of Wanindu Hasaranga, and the visitors will feel they have what it takes to outplay the hosts once again. Toss and team news coming up shortly.

Both sides have already beaten each other once in the league stage, which makes this final the perfect decider. Pakistan will once again bank on their aggressive batting, with Sahibzada Farhan leading the charge after being the highest run-getter of the series so far. Much will also rest on the shoulders of Babar Azam and Salman Agha to anchor the innings, while Mohammad Nawaz’s late-order hitting could prove vital. Despite having Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah in the squad, they have given more game time to Salman Mirza and Mohammad Wasim, who have lacked consistency, and it is the spin department, led superbly by Abrar Ahmed, that has arguably made the biggest impact in the tournament. After suffering their only loss of the series, Pakistan will be eager to respond in the best possible way and finish with the trophy in hand.

Hello and welcome, cricket fans, to the thrilling finale of the Tri-Nation Series 2025 as Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in a winner-takes-all encounter. After a hard-fought tournament, both sides have battled their way through to the last match, and now everything comes down to this one game. Stakes are sky-high, the pressure is immense, and every run, every ball, every over will count as both teams aim to lift the trophy.

... MATCH DAY ...

We have reached the climax of the T20I Tri-Series in Pakistan, 2025, where hosts Pakistan face their Asian rivals Sri Lanka in the final at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan were the first side to seal their place in the final after winning three matches on the trot, although they enter the summit clash on the back of a defeat to Sri Lanka in their last round-robin fixture. Despite the loss, Pakistan would have been encouraged by their skipper, Salman Agha, finally finding some runs after a quiet campaign. Sahibzada Farhan has looked assured with a pair of half-centuries, and although Babar Azam and Agha have fifties to their name, the rest of the batting lineup is yet to produce a substantial score. The hosts will be particularly keen for Saim Ayub to convert his starts into something meaningful, as that has been the missing piece in his campaign so far. The decision to play Fakhar Zaman outside the top four has also raised eyebrows, as that has left him with limited opportunities. On the bowling front, Pakistan have been without Shaheen Afridi for most of the round robin stage due to a foot injury, and his availability for the final remains uncertain. Mohammad Nawaz has been the standout performer with both control and wicket-taking ability, while Abrar Ahmed has played his part effectively. Usman Tariq, who impressed with a four-wicket haul in his only appearance, missed the previous game but may come back into contention for the final. Among the pacers, Salman Mirza has kept things tight without much reward, and Mohammad Wasim is still searching for the impact Pakistan would expect from him. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have taken a contrasting route to the final. Their campaign began with back-to-back defeats, including a shock loss to Zimbabwe, but Dasun Shanaka’s side responded superbly. They will enter the final full of belief after successfully defending 184 against Pakistan. That win was driven by Dushmantha Chameera, who delivered with the new ball and then again at the death. Sri Lanka’s early defeats stemmed from a misfiring batting unit, and while there has been improvement, they still haven’t fired collectively. There is no better stage than a final for that to change. Pathum Nissanka, who has long carried their batting in the format, has had a quiet tournament apart from his unbeaten 98. His opening partner, Kamil Mishara, found form just in time, scoring a crucial 76 in the previous game with a spot in the final on the line. For Sri Lanka to truly challenge Pakistan’s strong bowling attack, the senior trio of Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Dasun Shanaka will need to stand up. With the ball, Chameera has led the pace attack brilliantly, while Wanindu Hasaranga continues to be the standout in the spin department. However, Eshan Malinga was expensive at the death in the last outing and will be keen to put in a stronger performance in the final. Both sides arrive at the final with different stories but similar ambitions. Pakistan, dominant for most of the round robin stage, will look to deliver a complete performance in front of their home crowd. Sri Lanka, rejuvenated after a shaky start, will hope their momentum carries them to one more decisive display. Everything points towards a high-intensity contest in Rawalpindi as the two Asian rivals battle for the T20I Tri-Series crown. Who are you backing to come out on top?