Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025, 3rd T20I Review: Nawaz, Farhan shine in Pakistan's convincing win
Mohammad Nawaz was named the Player of the Match for his brilliance with the ball.
Pakistan continued their dominant run in the 2025 T20I Tri-Series with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. A solid bowling effort, courtesy of Mohammad Nawaz’s three-wicket haul, set the platform before Sahibzada Farhan’s explosive, unbeaten 80 sealed Pakistan’s fourth straight T20I victory and their second of the tournament.
Sri Lanka entered the game after a poor outing against Zimbabwe. On the other hand, Pakistan looked confident after finding form with both bat and ball. The game began with Sri Lanka electing to bat first and starting aggressively, with Pathum Nissanka hitting the first ball for four and Kamil Mishara smashing 22 off just 11 balls, including two sixes and as many fours.
But once Faheem Ashraf deceived Mishara with a slower ball, Sri Lanka’s innings began to collapse. Kusal Mendis’ needless run-out in the final over of the powerplay left them at 44/2 after six overs.
Abrar Ahmed removed Nissanka early in the middle overs, following which Nawaz delivered a stunning four-over spell of 3/16 without conceding a single boundary. He bowled Kusal Perera with a sharp turner and cleaned up skipper Dasun Shanaka the very next ball. Only Janith Liyanage’s 41* off 38 balls ensured they reached 128/7.
With just 129 needed, Pakistan’s openers began on a positive note. Saim Ayub smashed three boundaries in an 18-run over from Eshan Malinga and added 47 with Sahibzada Farhan inside the powerplay.
Farhan, in sublime touch all year, continued his outstanding form. He attacked anything short, especially on the pull and hook. Farhan’s back-foot dominance of legspin stood out, as he punished Hasaranga and Viyaskanth for 44 runs combined.
After Ayub fell for 20, Babar Azam and Salman Agha departed to Chameera in successive balls. But Farhan remained unbeaten 80 off 45 balls, with six fours and five sixes, becoming the highest T20I score by a Pakistani against Sri Lanka, surpassing Shoaib Malik’s 57 from 2007. He finished the game in the 16th over.
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