Dushmantha Chameera’s four-wicket haul, including a brilliant final-over performance, helped Sri Lanka edge past Pakistan by six runs in a thrilling T20I tri-series clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The win, Sri Lanka’s second in the series, secured their place in the final against hosts Pakistan, scheduled at the same venue on Saturday.
The result also ended Zimbabwe’s chances of making the final, leaving them at the bottom of the points table with just two points.
READ: Sahibzada Farhan stars as Pakistan crush Sri Lanka for second tri-series win
Chasing a challenging target of 185, Pakistan could manage 178/7 in their 20 overs, despite skipper Salman Ali Agha’s unbeaten half-century.
Pakistan started cautiously, with opening partners Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub adding 29 runs for the first wicket before Farhan was dismissed by Chameera in the fourth over.
Chameera struck again in the same over, sending back Babar Azam for a two-ball duck, reducing the home side to 29/2.
The Green Shirts lost two more wickets quickly as Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman fell in the fifth and sixth overs, leaving Pakistan struggling at 43/4.
Wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan then joined Agha, and the pair put on 56 runs in 42 balls, helping Pakistan recover.
READ: Tri-Nation T20I Series: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe Squads, Schedule & Where to Watch
Usman scored a brisk 33 off 23 deliveries, including two sixes and as many fours, before falling to Wanindu Hasaranga in the 13th over.
Agha was later joined by all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, and the duo added a rapid 70 runs in just 36 balls before Nawaz was dismissed by Eshan Malinga in the penultimate over.
Nawaz made 27 off 16 balls, featuring two sixes and a four.
With 10 runs required off the final over, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka handed the ball to Chameera, who conceded just three runs and picked up a wicket to seal a sensational win.
Chameera finished with remarkable figures of 4/20 in four overs, supported by Eshan Malinga (2 wickets) and Wanindu Hasaranga (1 wicket).
Put into bat first, Sri Lanka posted 184/5 in 20 overs, thanks to a strong second-wicket partnership between Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis.
Sri Lanka began shakily as last-match hero Pathum Nissanka was dismissed cheaply for eight in the third over, with the score at 16/1.
Mendis then joined Mishara, and the duo added 66 runs off just 36 balls, putting Pakistan’s bowlers under pressure.
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Abrar Ahmed broke the partnership, trapping Mendis lbw on the first ball of the ninth over.
Mendis had scored a quick 40 off 23 balls with six fours and a six.
Sri Lanka lost another early wicket as Saim Ayub dismissed Kusal Perera for six in the 11th over.
Mishara remained firm, putting together a 57-run stand for the fourth wicket with Janith Liyanage before falling to Abrar in the 17th over.
Mishara was the top scorer with a blazing 76 off 48 balls, including six fours and three sixes.
Liyanage added an unbeaten 24, while captain Shanaka contributed 17 off 10 deliveries.
Abrar led Pakistan’s bowling with 2/28 in four overs, supported by Saim Ayub and Salman Mirza, who picked up a wicket each.
Pakistan had already qualified for the final, but Sri Lanka needed a win to join them.
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Their victory ensured Zimbabwe’s elimination from the tri-series.
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Dushmantha Chameera defends 10 in the final over
Dushmantha Chameera defended 10 runs in the final over, securing Sri Lanka’s place in the tri-series final.
9:40 pm -
Pakistan need 10 off 6 balls
Pakistan require 10 runs off the final over.
9:34 pm -
Mohammad Nawaz departs
Mohammad Nawaz is dismissed, leaving Pakistan needing 16 runs from 10 balls.
9:25 pm -
Pakistan fighting back
Salman Agha anchors the chase with a blazing 59, as Pakistan require 36 more runs from 18 deliveries to win.
9:18 pm -
Salman Ali Agha brings up his fifty
Salman Ali Agha brings up a brilliant fifty off just 35 balls.
9:15 pm -
Usman Khan departs
Hasaranga strikes! Usman Khan falls for 33 after a top-edge straight to Perera.
9:00 pm -
Pakistan look to rebuild
Pakistan reached 70-4 after 10 overs, with Salman Agha and Usman Khan trying to steady the innings as the required rate climbs to 11.5.
8:42 pm -
Chameera strikes again
Fakhar Zaman skies one and Shanaka takes a safe catch. Gone for just 1 run — Pakistan lose their fourth for 43.
8:20 pm -
Eshan Malinga knocks over Saim Ayub
A superb 142kph delivery from Eshan Malinga knocks over Saim Ayub. Saim gone for 27, Pakistan in trouble.
8:18 pm -
Babar Azam departs for a duck
Babar Azam departs for a duck after Chameera skidded one low, trapping him plumb in front.
8:10 pm -
Sahibzada Farhan departs
Sahibzada Farhan falls for 9 after being deceived by Chameera’s slower leg-cutter, mistiming his shot straight to Janith Liyanage for a simple catch. A key breakthrough for Sri Lanka.
8:05 pm -
Sri Lanka posts 184/5 in 20 overs
Sri Lanka finishes their innings at 184/5, leaving Pakistan needing 185 to chase in the T20I tri-series clash.
7:35 pm -
Kamil Mishara falls
Kamil Mishara falls for 76 off 48 balls, caught by Mohammad Wasim at deep mid off, after a brilliant innings.
7:20 pm -
Babar Azam's fan
A Babar Azam fan was spotted in the pavilion holding his sketched portrait.
7:03 pm -
Kusal Perera dismissed
Kusal Perera dismissed for 6, caught by Nawaz off Saim Ayub after attempting a pull shot.
6:57 pm -
Sri Lanka are 93-2 in 10 overs
At the halfway mark, Sri Lanka are 93-2 in 10 overs, with Kamil Mishara leading on 35 and Kusal Perera on 4.
6:55 pm -
Kusal Mendis departs
Kusal Mendis departs LBW to Abrar Ahmed’s brilliant googly for 40 runs.
6:45 pm -
Sri Lanka reach 43-1 after five overs
Sri Lanka reach 43-1 after five overs, with Kusal Mendis on 21 and Kamil Mishara 14, building a 27-run partnership.
6:27 pm -
Salman Mirza strikes early
Pathum Nissanka bowled for 8 by Salman Mirza after attempting a big shot, with the ball clipping the off-stump.
6:12 pm -
ODI captain Shaheen and coach Hesson
Shaheen Afridi and coach Hesson seen sharing strategies during warm-up session.
5:55 pm -
Pitch Report
Surface slightly rough with some grip, ball moving early, deviations likely—batsmen advised to stay on the stumps.
5:45 pm -
Playing XI
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
5:40 pm -
Toss Update
Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first. Salman Agha says praises Pindi pitch, and aims to stay focused with two changes in the lineup.
5:30 pm -
Head to Head in T20Is
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have met in 25 T20Is, with Pakistan winning 15 and Sri Lanka 10.
4:25 pm -
Welcome to live coverage
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, the sixth T20I of the tri-nation series.
Pakistan have already secured their place in the final after defeating Zimbabwe twice and winning their first match against Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka must win today to qualify for the final.
4:15 pm
