Kusal Mendis hits unbeaten 87 as Sri Lanka win finale but Pakistan take series

Sri Lanka finished their Twenty20 international series in Pakistan with an eight-wicket victory in Rawalpindi on October 13, although the hosts took the three-match contest 2-1. Pakistan had already secured the series by winning the opening two games, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board, leaving Sri Lanka to claim a consolation win in the final fixture.

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Captain Kusal Mendis led the successful chase with an unbeaten 87 from 48 balls, including nine fours and four sixes. The BBC Sport scorecard records Sri Lanka reaching 172 for two in 17.1 overs in pursuit of 169, completing the task with 17 deliveries unused after Pakistan had made 168 for eight.

Sri Lanka lost Lahiru Udara for one, but Sineth Jayawardena supplied 38 from 26 balls before becoming their second wicket at 74. Kamindu Mendis then joined Kusal and remained unbeaten on 40 from 27 deliveries. Their unbroken third-wicket partnership added 98, ensuring Pakistan took no further wickets during the remainder of the chase.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan had provided the central contribution to his side's innings. The PCB reported that his 76 came from 47 balls, with seven fours and three sixes, after Sri Lanka chose to field. Arafat Minhas finished unbeaten on 34 as Pakistan used their full allocation of 20 overs.

The scorecard shows how important that late support was: Pakistan were 102 for six when Abdul Samad departed, before Farhan and Arafat added 66. Dasun Shanaka finished with three wickets for 21 runs from four overs. Eshan Malinga and Nuwan Thushara took two wickets apiece, with Thushara removing Farhan and Razaullah from the final two balls of the innings.

Pakistan's decisive advantage had come in Sunday's second match. The ICC reported that Maaz Sadaqat's 96 helped them reach 215 for three, their highest men's T20I total on home soil, before Sri Lanka were restricted to 133 for seven. That 82-run victory established an unassailable 2-0 lead, so Tuesday's result reduced the final margin without changing the series winner.