Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to meet today, Sunday, for the third and final T20I of the series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, with weather once again set to play a key role.
Pakistan hold a 1-0 advantage after the second match was washed out due to continuous rain, with no toss possible.
The opening T20I saw Pakistan register a comfortable win, putting them in a strong position.
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Weather forecasts suggest humid conditions during the match, with temperatures expected to remain around 24°C.
Skies are likely to be partly cloudy, while humidity levels are high, making conditions uncomfortable for players.
Winds are predicted to blow from the east at moderate speed, and visibility is expected to remain clear.
Weather reports indicate a 51% chance of rain in the evening, which may affect play.
In the first T20I, Pakistan chased down a target of 129 with ease, winning by six wickets and finishing the job with more than three overs remaining.
READ: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Series: H2H, Squads & Where to Watch
Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub provided a solid start before Ayub departed at the end of the powerplay.
Farhan continued to anchor the innings and brought up a brisk half-century.
Captain Salman Ali Agha supported Farhan briefly, but a mini-collapse left Pakistan three down.
Fakhar Zaman failed to make an impact, but Usman Khan and Shadab Khan steadied the chase and guided Pakistan home without further trouble.
Shadab remained unbeaten on 18, while Usman also stayed till the end to seal the victory.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Dhananjaya de Silva picking up one wicket each.
Earlier in that match, Pakistan’s bowlers dominated after opting to field first.
Sri Lanka lost both openers cheaply and struggled to recover from early setbacks.
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Janith Liyanage offered resistance with a fighting knock of 40, but regular wickets prevented the hosts from building momentum.
Abrar Ahmed and Salman Mirza led Pakistan’s bowling effort with three wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jr also made key contributions with 2 wickets.
With the series still on the line and rain threatening to influence the outcome, both teams will be hoping for clear skies to allow a decisive finish to the contest.
