In a breathless encounter at Dambulla, Sri Lanka snatched a 14-run victory over Pakistan to ensure their three-match T20 international series ended in a 1-1 draw. In a contest significantly shortened to 12 overs per side due to persistent rain, the difference between the two teams was starkly defined by their contrasting performances in the final six balls of each innings.
Shanaka’s Late-Innings Onslaught
Sri Lanka’s innings concluded with a spectacular display of power hitting that proved to be the turning point of the match. Facing the final over delivered by Pakistan’s Mohammad Wasim, Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka dismantled the attack, striking three towering sixes off the first three deliveries. The over yielded a staggering 24 runs, catapulting the hosts to a formidable total of 160/6.
Shanaka’s cameo was brief but devastating, scoring 34 runs from just 9 balls—an incredible 30 of which came from boundaries. Earlier, Kusal Mendis (30) and Dhananjaya de Silva (22) had laid the groundwork for a competitive total despite Wasim taking three wickets for a costly 54 runs.
Pakistan’s Chase and the Hasaranga Factor
Pakistan’s response began with explosive intent. Captain Salman Ali Agha played a captain’s knock, bludgeoning 45 runs from a mere 12 deliveries. When he was eventually dismissed by Matheesha Pathirana, Pakistan were well within the required run rate. However, the introduction of the world’s premier T20 leg-spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, stemmed the flow of runs. Hasaranga’s guile was rewarded with 4 wickets for 35 runs, effectively gutting the Pakistani middle order.
Table: Final Scorecard – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan (3rd T20I)
| Innings | Top Performers | Total (12 Overs) |
| Sri Lanka | D. Shanaka (34 off 9), K. Mendis (30) | 160/6 |
| Pakistan | Salman Agha (45 off 12), M. Nawaz (28) | 146/8 |
| Bowling (SL) | W. Hasaranga (4/35), M. Pathirana (2/34) | — |
| Bowling (PAK) | M. Wasim (3/54) | — |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 14 runs | Series Drawn 1-1 |
The Final Over Disaster
Entering the final over of the match, Pakistan required 20 runs for victory—a steep but achievable target given the boundaries already scored. However, the execution was lacking. Facing Eshan Malinga, the over began with a panicked run-out of Faheem Ashraf at the non-striker’s end.
Despite Malinga gifting four extra runs through wides, Mohammad Wasim—who had earlier given Pakistan hope with a six off Pathirana—could not connect with a single legitimate delivery. The final over resulted in only five runs, leaving Pakistan stranded on 146/8.
Series Conclusion
For his match-winning spell and consistent performance throughout the week, Wanindu Hasaranga was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series. With the first game won by Pakistan and the second washed out, both teams depart Dambulla with a share of the spoils.