Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis scored a brisk unbeaten 87 as his side cruised to an eight-wicket victory against Pakistan in the third and final T20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

The visitors reached the target of 169 with 17 balls to spare, halting Pakistan’s winning streak in the series. But victory in the first two games meant Pakistan clinched the three-match series 2-1.

Kusal led the chase with an aggressive innings and Kamindu Mendis, with an unbroken 40, offered important support as Sri Lanka concluded at 171-2 in 17.1 overs. The visitors recovered from an early setback to take control of the affair, with Sineth Jayawardena also chipping in with a quick 38.

Farhan guides Pakistan recovery

Pakistan batted first and scored 168-8 in their 20 overs, with skipper Sahibzada Farhan top hitting with a blistering 76 off 47 balls.

Fakhar Zaman and Farhan gave Pakistan an aggressive start adding 34 runs in first three overs. Sri Lanka spinner Eshan Malinga, however, broke the hosts’ enthusiasm by getting the wickets of Fakhar for 12 in the fourth over and in-form batsman Maaz Sadaqat for a duck.

Hasan Nawaz joined Farhan at the crease and the two added 33 runs before Hasan was dismissed by Vijayakanth Viyaskanth for 16 off 17 balls in the ninth over. Pakistan lost another wicket in the next over as Dasun Shanaka removed wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay for three.

Shanaka kept up the pressure on the middle order, sending Mohammad Imran (six) and Abdul Samad (15) packing as Pakistan slumped to 102-6.

Farhan then found a vital ally in Arafat Minhas and the pair reinvigorated the innings with a stand of 66 runs. Minhas was 34 from 20 balls with two fours and two sixes while Farhan hit seven fours and three sixes before falling to Nuwan Thushara on the penultimate delivery.

Thushara then took his second wicket in the last over, bowling Razaullah for a duck to leave Pakistan short of 170.

Shanaka was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, taking three for 21 in four overs. Malinga and Thushara grabbed two wickets apiece, while Viyaskanth had one.

Kusal steps up

Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a shaky start when Mohammad Imran Randhawa caught Lahiru Udara lbw for one in the second over as the visitors slipped to 15-1.

Kusal reached No. 3 and joined Jayawardena to rebuild the innings. The pair combined 59 for the second wicket and once again put Pakistan under pressure with a positive attitude.

Arafat Minhas broke the partnership on the last delivery of the eighth over, removing Jayawardena for 38 off 26 balls. He struck five fours and two sixes to help Sri Lanka get off to a good start despite losing their second wicket.

Kamindu immediately joined his captain and the two ensured no further breakthroughs. Sri Lanka were 171-2 in 17.1 overs, with their third-wicket partnership undefeated on 92.

Kusal’s 48-ball 87 had nine fours and four sixes, while Kamindu’s 40 not came off 27 balls with four boundaries. Randhawa and Minhas were the sole wicket-takers for Pakistan.

Player of the series awarded to Farhan

Farhan was voted the player of the series for his exploits in the three T20Is despite Pakistan losing the last match. Sri Lanka won the last fixture after Pakistan had taken a 2-0 lead by winning the first two matches.

“Pakistan played well in the first two matches,” stated Farhan following the series triumph. He commended Minhas for his contribution. “The team wanted to keep up the good work and was happy with the overall performance of the side,” he said.