Kusal Mendis upstaged Sahibzada Farhan in a battle of captains as Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets to register a consolation victory in the third and final T20I in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. Pakistan, however, won the three-match series 2-1.

Mendis struck a match-winning unbeaten 87 and became Sri Lanka’s leading T20I run-scorer after Farhan had fought a lone battle with 76 to lift Pakistan to 168 for eight, having slipped to 102 for six in the 14th over.

Mendis smashed nine fours and four sixes in a 48-ball innings and featured in an unbroken 98-run third-wicket partnership from 55 deliveries with Kamindu Mendis, who remained unbeaten on 40 from 27 balls, including four fours.

Their efforts helped Sri Lanka reach 172 for two in 17.1 overs, completing victory with 17 balls to spare.

In contrast, Farhan’s 76, his third successive half-century of the series, featured seven fours and three sixes from 47 deliveries. With Pakistan struggling, Farhan added 66 runs for the seventh wicket from 37 balls with Arafat Minhas, who remained unbeaten on 34 from 20 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

Kusal reached his 21st T20I half-century in his 112th match from 33 balls, while Farhan brought up his 13th fifty in his 51st match from just 30 deliveries. Both captains struck six fours and a six on their way to half-centuries.

Mendis walked away with the player of the match award, while Farhan was adjudged player of the series after accumulating 238 runs in three matches.

Pakistan once again reshuffled their playing XI, leaving out Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed from the side that won Sunday’s second T20I by 82 runs. Abdul Samad, Razaullah, Arafat Minhas and Sufyan Moqim were brought into the side.

Abdul Samad contributed 15 from 10 balls, including two fours and a six, while Arafat followed his unbeaten 34 with one wicket for 26 runs in three overs.

Sufyan conceded 35 runs in four wicketless overs, while Razaullah went for 37 in 3.1 overs without taking a wicket.

Pakistan’s pace trio of Razaullah, Salman Mirza and Mohammad Imran Randhawa collectively conceded 108 runs in 10.1 overs, while spinners Sufyan and Arafat gave away 61 runs in seven overs, with Arafat claiming the only wicket between them.

The match also illustrated the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket.

Maaz Sadaqat, who had struck a magnificent 96 from 51 balls in the previous match, was dismissed for a third-ball duck. Hasan Nawaz, who entered the series following his outstanding 96 against India in the Asian Games gold medal match, managed only 36 runs across the three T20Is.

Farhan, meanwhile, emerged as Pakistan’s outstanding performer, scoring 89, 73 and 76 in successive matches.

This was Pakistan’s last scheduled T20I of 2026. During the year, they played 17 matches, winning 11, losing five and recording one no-result. Their victories included four against Sri Lanka, three against Australia and one each against Bangladesh, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA.

Their five defeats came against India (two), Sri Lanka (two) and England (one), while their match against New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was washed out.

Unless any additional T20Is are scheduled, Pakistan’s next T20I assignment will be the eight-team ICC Olympic Qualifier, with the winner qualifying for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. The ICC is expected to announce the event details in January 2027, following the rankings cut-off date of 31 December 2026.

Scores in brief:

3rd T20I – Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets, Pakistan win series 2-1

Pakistan 168-8, 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 76, Arafat Minhas 34 not out, Hasan Nawaz 16; Dasun Shanaka 3-21, Eshan Malinga 2-38, Nuwan Thushara 2-38)

Sri Lanka 172-2, 17.1 overs (Kusal Mendis 87 not out, Kamindu Mendis 40 not out, Sineth Jayawardena 38)

Player of the match – Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Player of the series – Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)

Series results:

1st T20I – Pakistan won by four wickets

2nd T20I – Pakistan won by 82 runs

Upcoming matches ODIs (Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka)

18 Oct – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi

20 Oct – Pakistan v England, Rawalpindi

22 Oct – Sri Lanka v England, Rawalpindi

25 Oct – Pakistan v England, Lahore

27 Oct – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore

29 Oct –Sri Lanka v England, Lahore

31 Oct – Tri-series final, Lahore