Key Points
- Pakistan and Sri Lanka will clash in the T20I tri-nation final on November 29 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
- Sri Lanka recovered from early defeats to reach the final with two impressive wins over Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
- Mohammad Nawaz has been Pakistan’s standout allrounder, leading in strike rate and wickets in the tournament.
- Dushmantha Chameera enters the final in red-hot form, with a match-winning 4/20 in the previous game against Pakistan.
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan will take on a revitalised Sri Lanka in the final of the T20I tri-nation series on Saturday, November 29, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with both sides eyeing a statement finish to winning the series title.
After an inconsistent three weeks, Sri Lanka have unexpectedly surged into the title clash. Their tour began on a bleak note: a 3-0 ODI whitewash at Pakistan’s hands, followed by a heavy tri-series defeat to Zimbabwe that left them on the verge of elimination. But two commanding victories, a dominant nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe and a thrilling last-over triumph against Pakistan, have lifted them into the decider with renewed belief.
Pakistan, despite Thursday’s loss, entered the final as favourites on home soil. The home side endured an off-day in both bowling and top-order batting, yet remained competitive until the final moments. Team management believes that even a modest improvement in those areas should be enough to secure another piece of silverware and cap off a packed T20 season.
The match also holds broader significance for Pakistan, who have used 2025 extensively to prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Since the end of PSL, they have contested 28 T20Is, winning more than twice as many as they have lost. A win in Saturday’s final, their 29th match of the year, would reinforce their focus on consistency and match readiness.
For Sri Lanka, co-hosts of next year’s World Cup, the final represents a chance to reverse a difficult run of results: a home series defeat to Bangladesh, a mixed showing against Zimbabwe, and a bottom-place finish in the Asia Cup Super Fours. A tri-series title would restore confidence and provide much-needed momentum.
Form Guide
Pakistan have been in strong form, winning four of their last five matches (LWWWW).
Sri Lanka have shown mixed results, with two wins and three losses in their last five games (WWLLL).
Players to Watch
Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz has been the standout all-rounder of the tri-series, contributing in every game. He leads the tournament charts with a strike rate of 162.50 and is joint top wicket-taker with seven wickets at an economy of just 6.07. His near-match-winning late charge on Wednesday highlighted his rising influence.
Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera enters the final in red-hot form after delivering one of the bowling spells of the year — 4 for 20, including three wickets in his first two overs and a brilliant death over that restricted Pakistan to just three runs. His pace and accuracy will again be central to Sri Lanka’s plans.
Team News
Pakistan are likely to bring back Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed for the final.
Probable XI: Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka are expected to field an unchanged side for the third consecutive match.
Probable XI: Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Mishara, Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Shanaka (capt), Ratnayake, Hasaranga, Chameera, Theekshana, Eshan Malinga.
The Rawalpindi pitch is expected to remain cold and dry, with a touch of dew likely affecting the second innings, making chasing the total a probable strategy for the toss-winning captain.
In terms of stats, Fakhar Zaman boasts an impressive T20I final record, averaging 41 with a strike rate around 152, although his sole final against Sri Lanka ended in a golden duck during the 2022 Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, last lifted a T20I tournament in 2022 and have contested five T20I finals overall, winning three, including the 2014 World Cup final.
