RAWALPINDI, 13 October, 2026 (Nosheen): Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis struck an unbeaten 87 to guide his side to an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the third and final T20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Sri Lanka chased down the 169-run target with 17 balls to spare, finishing at 171-2 in 17.1 overs. However, Pakistan secured the three-match series 2-1 after winning the first two fixtures. Kusal anchored the successful chase with an aggressive 48-ball innings featuring nine fours and four sixes, while Kamindu Mendis remained unbeaten on 40 off 27 deliveries. Sineth Jayawardena also made a valuable contribution with 38 off 26 balls, helping Sri Lanka recover after an early setback. Batting first, Pakistan posted 168-8 in their allotted 20 overs, with captain Sahibzada Farhan leading the scoring with a quickfire 76 off 47 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. Farhan and Fakhar Zaman provided Pakistan with an energetic start, adding 34 runs in the first three overs. Sri Lankan pacer Eshan Malinga then dismissed Fakhar for 12 before removing Maaz Sadaqat for a duck. Hasan Nawaz added 16 off 17 balls before falling to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, while Dasun Shanaka dismissed wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay for three. Shanaka continued to trouble Pakistan’s middle order, removing Mohammad Imran for six and Abdul Samad for 15 as the hosts slipped to 102-6. Farhan then joined forces with Arafat Minhas to rebuild the innings through a crucial 66-run partnership. Minhas remained unbeaten on 34 off 20 deliveries, hitting two fours and two sixes, while Farhan was dismissed by Nuwan Thushara on the penultimate delivery. Thushara claimed another wicket on the final ball, bowling Razaullah for a duck. Shanaka was Sri Lanka’s leading bowler, taking three wickets for 21 runs in four overs, while Malinga and Thushara claimed two wickets each and Viyaskanth took one. Sri Lanka’s chase began with Mohammad Imran Randhawa dismissing Lahiru Udara for one in the second over, leaving the visitors at 15-1. Kusal then partnered with Jayawardena to add 59 runs for the second wicket before Arafat Minhas dismissed Jayawardena for 38 on the final delivery of the eighth over. Kamindu joined his captain, and the pair put the result beyond doubt with an unbeaten 92-run stand for the third wicket. Kusal’s commanding innings and Kamindu’s steady support ensured Sri Lanka completed the chase comfortably. Randhawa and Minhas were Pakistan’s only wicket-takers. Despite the defeat in the final match, Farhan was named Player of the Series for his performances across the three T20Is. Speaking after the series, Farhan said Pakistan had performed well in the opening two matches and praised Minhas for his contribution. He added that the team would aim to maintain consistency in future fixtures. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry presented the series trophy to Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan following the team’s 2-1 series triumph.