RAWALPINDI: A career-best knock by Sahibzada Farhan steered Pakistan to a convincing eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third match of the three-nation T20I series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. This was Pakistan’s second successive win, while for Sri Lanka it was a second straight loss. Zimbabwe is the third side in the tournament.

Chasing a modest 129-run target, Pakistan raced to victory in 15.3 overs on a chilly evening, with Sahibzada returning unbeaten on 80 – his sixth career half-century in 32 matches. His 45-ball innings was laced with six fours and five sixes.

Sahibzada added 47 runs in five overs with Saim Ayub (20) and another 69 from 52 balls for the second wicket with Babar Azam, who contributed 16.

With 13 runs needed for victory from 37 balls, Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera brought some excitement when he dismissed Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha on successive deliveries. But this did not stop Pakistan from wrapping up the match with 27 balls remaining.

Earlier, Sri Lanka, batting first after winning the toss, struggled to 128 for eight. After reaching 44 for two in the PowerPlay, they limped to 91 for six after 15 overs and managed only 37 runs in the final five overs.

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz squeezed Sri Lanka in the middle overs, finishing with impressive figures of three for 16. Wrist spinner Abrar Ahmed picked up one for 28 from his four, while Saim Ayub’s two overs cost 15 as the three spinners collectively conceded 59 from their 10 overs.

The pace trio comprising Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Junior and Faheem Ashraf gave away 68 in the remaining 10 overs and collected two wickets.

For Sri Lanka, Janith Liyanage top-scored with an unbeaten 41, while Kusal Perera (25), Kamil Mishara (22) and Pathum Nissanka (17) were the other notable contributors.

Scores in brief:

Match 3 – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets

SRI LANKA 128-8, 20 overs (Janith Liyanage 41 not out, Kusal Perera 25, Kamil Mishara 22, Pathum Nissanka 17; Mohammad Nawaz 3-16)

PAKISTAN 131-2, 15.3 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 80 not out, Saim Ayub 20; Dushmantha Chameera 2-29)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Mohammad Nawaz

NEXT MATCH – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Sunday