DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka posted a fighting total of 160 for six in a rain-affected third and final Twenty20 international against Pakistan on Sunday, as the match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium was reduced to 12 overs per side.
Put in to bat after Pakistan won the toss, Sri Lanka suffered an early setback when opener Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for a duck in the first over by fast bowler Naseem Shah.
🇵🇰 Pakistan set to chase 161 in 12 overs in the 3rd T20I at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium🏏#SLvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/tcKIuYTpd0
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 11, 2026
Kamil Mishara counter-attacked briefly. He struck 20 runs off eight balls, including three fours and a six, before being dismissed by Mohammad Wasim Jr. Sri Lanka were 22 for two in 1.5 overs.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis steadied the innings with a 32-run partnership, taking the hosts past 50 in the fifth over.
De Silva scored 22 off 15 balls before being removed by left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz at 54 for three.
Mendis continued to anchor the innings and found support from Charith Asalanka.
The pair added 46 runs and carried Sri Lanka past the 100-run mark in the ninth over.
Pakistan struck back when Wasim Jr dismissed Mendis for 30 off 16 balls, an innings that included two fours and two sixes.
Faheem Ashraf then removed Asalanka for 21 off 13 balls, leaving Sri Lanka at 102 for five in 9.1 overs.
Captain Dasun Shanaka powered Sri Lanka to a competitive finish with a late assault.
He hit five sixes in a rapid 34 off just nine balls before falling to Wasim Jr.
Janith Liyanage added useful runs at the end, remaining unbeaten on 22 off eight balls, which included three fours and a six.
Wanindu Hasaranga was not out on one as Sri Lanka closed on 160 for six.
For Pakistan, Wasim Jr was the most successful bowler with three wickets for 54 runs in his three overs.
Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf took one wicket each.
Khawaja Nafay made his debut, while Naseem Shah returned to the playing XI.
🧢 Wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay receives his T20I debut cap in the 3rd game vs Sri Lanka at Dambulla🏏#SLvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/UKLt30bvYG
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 11, 2026
Pakistan playing XI
Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka playing XI
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasum Shanaka (c) Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana and Maheesh Pathirana.
Series context
The match was delayed by around two hours due to rain and shortened to 12 overs per side.
Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0, having won the opening T20I, while the second match at the same venue was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Pakistan made two changes to their side, resting Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Salman Mirza.
