Both captains made it clear at the toss that the pitch was unlikely to offer more than 160 runs. Sri Lanka, sent in to bat after losing the toss, appeared on course for a competitive total of around 160 or even 170 midway through their innings. However, the tone of the match changed dramatically during the middle overs, when Pakistan’s spinners produced an exceptional display of control, discipline and craft. From a position of relative comfort, Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap and were eventually dismissed for a modest 114.
Despite the small target, Pakistan were made to work hard and required 18.4 overs to cross the finish line. They lost only four wickets, but a brief stumble in the middle overs injected a measure of tension. Babar Azam, however, remained composed. Reading the conditions astutely, he played a measured, risk-averse innings of 37* off 34 balls, guiding Pakistan home with assurance.
The warning signs had been there already. During the innings break, Mohammad Nawaz—the chief architect of Sri Lanka’s downfall—remarked that the surface offered significant assistance to spin and that Pakistan must therefore bat with caution. Nawaz’s own figures were outstanding: 3 for 17 from four overs. His assessment of the pitch proved entirely accurate.
Pakistan responded with the careful, methodical approach he advocated. Among the openers, Sahibzada Farhan contributed 23 from 22 balls, while his partner struck 36 off 33. Captain Salman Agha added 14 from 14 before falling. Of Pakistan’s four wickets, three were taken by Sri Lanka’s spinners: Pavan Rathnayake claimed 2 for 11, while Wanindu Hasaranga returned 1 for 31.
Pakistan’s spinners were the true difference. Between Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub, they delivered 12 overs for just 52 runs, taking six wickets in total. Nawaz was named Player of the Match. For Sri Lanka, only opener Kamil Mishara stood tall, scoring a valiant 59 from 47 deliveries—an innings that proved insufficient to salvage an imploding batting line-up.