🏏🔥 Sri Lanka Stun Pakistan to Seal T20I Tri-Series Final Spot — A 6-Run Thriller That Shook Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions, a collapse, a comeback, and finally a Sri Lankan miracle powered by Dushmantha Chameera’s nerve-shredding last over. The match had everything: pace, pressure, momentum swings, mini-collapses, heroic innings, and world-class execution under fire.
On a night when Pakistan were expected to cruise and confirm their final spot comfortably, Sri Lanka stepped up, punched harder, and refused to bow down. Their 6-run win not only sealed a spot in the final against Pakistan but also officially knocked Zimbabwe out of the tri-series.
This match had a simple theme:
👉 Sri Lanka played fearless cricket.
👉 Pakistan played catch-up cricket.
👉 Chameera played legendary cricket.
And the Rawalpindi crowd got a contest they will remember for years.
🦁🔥 Sri Lanka’s Statement Win: A Match That Redefined Their T20I Character
Sri Lanka came into the match with only ONE realistic route to the final:
Win or go home.
They chose the first. And how brilliantly they chose it.
From the moment Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis began their aggressive second-wicket partnership, it was clear Sri Lanka weren’t here to participate — they were here to dominate. Their fearless batting set the tone, their disciplined bowling held the nerve, and their last-over brilliance sealed the deal.
Pakistan, meanwhile, lived through another story of heartbreak, inconsistency, and yet another instance where their middle order collapsed before a late rescue came too late.
🏏💥 First Innings: Sri Lanka’s Blazing 184/5 — The Blueprint for Modern T20 Cricket
🔹 A Rocky Start — But Then, Fireworks
Sri Lanka started shakily, losing Pathum Nissanka for just 8. But the moment Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis settled, the match turned.
⭐ Kamil Mishara’s 76 off 48 — The Knock That Set the Rawalpindi Night on Fire
Mishara’s innings was a masterclass in timing, aggression, and strike rotation.
- 6 fours
- 3 sixes
- 158.33 strike rate
- Zero fear
Every time Pakistan tried to slow down the game, Mishara countered with power and class.
⭐ Kusal Mendis’ 40 off 23 — The Catalyst
Mendis played a perfect T20 knock — fast, fearless, and impactful.
He smashed 6 boundaries and a six, putting Pakistan’s bowlers under relentless pressure.
Together, Mishara and Mendis added 66 off just 35 balls — the partnership that completely changed the direction of the match.
🔹 Middle Order Support
After Mendis fell:
- Kusal Perera failed (6)
- Shanaka chipped in with a quick 17 off 10
- Janith Liyanage anchored with 24* off 24
The final total:
🔥 184/5 — A Match-Winning Score on a Sluggish, Two-Paced Pitch
🇵🇰⚠️ Pakistan’s Bowling: Brilliant in Patches, Ordinary Overall
Pakistan had two standout performers:
⭐ Abrar Ahmed — 2/28
Pakistan’s mystery spinner was the only bowler who controlled the middle overs.
⭐ Salman Mirza — 1/29
Mirza bowled with heart and discipline, especially in the powerplay.
But…
❌ Nawaz — 26 in 2 overs
❌ Wasim — 39 in 4
❌ Faheem — 30 in 3
These overs cost Pakistan the match.
Sri Lanka played smart. Pakistan bowled reactive cricket.
🇵🇰🔥 Pakistan’s Run-Chase: From Collapse to Comeback to Heartbreak
Chasing 185, Pakistan needed a solid start.
Instead, they got this:
- Farhan: ❌ 9
- Babar: ❌ 0 (two-ball duck)
- Saim: ✔️ 27 but fell early
- Fakhar: ❌ 1
⚠️ Score: 43/4 in the 6th over
Pakistan were drowning.
And then came the rescue heroes.
🏏🟢 Pakistan’s Fightback: Salman Ali Agha & Usman Khan Bring Hope
⭐ Salman Ali Agha — 63 off 44*
The captain led from the front:
- Class
- Calmness
- Calculated aggression
He anchored the innings when Pakistan were in ruins.
⭐ Usman Khan — 33 off 23
Played brave shots, rotated strike, and rebuilt the innings with maturity.
Together, they added 56 off 41 balls.
But Pakistan needed a finisher.
🏏⚡ Nawaz the Game-Changer — Then the Game-Loser
⭐ Mohammad Nawaz — 27 off 16
He smashed:
- 2 sixes
- 1 four
And turned Pakistan’s fading hopes into real momentum.
Pakistan suddenly needed only:
10 runs off the last over.
The match was Pakistan’s to win…
🦁🔥 Last Over Drama: Chameera Becomes a National Hero
Shanaka threw the ball to Chameera — and the rest is Sri Lankan cricket folklore.
Pakistan needed 10 runs.
Chameera delivered:
- Dot
- 1 run
- Wicket
- Dot
- Wide
- 1 run
- Dot
He conceded only 3 runs.
⭐ Figures: 4 overs, 20 runs, 4 wickets
The match was DONE.
Pakistan were BROKEN.
Sri Lanka were in the FINAL.
Rawalpindi witnessed one of the greatest last overs ever bowled by a Sri Lankan pacer.
🏆🎉 Sri Lanka Qualify for the Final Zimbabwe Eliminated
This single win:
✔ Knocked out Zimbabwe
✔ Sent Sri Lanka into the final
✔ Set up Pakistan vs Sri Lanka once again
✔ Cemented Chameera as Player of the Match
✔ Re-established Sri Lanka’s T20 fighting identity
📊 Full Statistical Breakdown (Cricketory Style)
Top Sri Lankan Batters
- Kamil Mishara — 76 (48)
- Kusal Mendis — 40 (23)
- Liyanage — 24 (24)*
- Shanaka — 17 (10)
Top Pakistan Batters
- Salman Ali Agha — 63 (44)*
- Usman Khan — 33 (23)
- Mohammad Nawaz — 27 (16)
Top Sri Lanka Bowlers
- Chameera — 4/20
- Malinga — 2/54
- Hasaranga — 1/27
Top Pakistan Bowlers
- Abrar — 2/28
- Mirza — 1/29
🧠📉 Where Pakistan Lost the Match — Cricketory Deep Analysis
❌ Collapse in Powerplay
43/4 is how teams lose big chases.
❌ Babar’s Duck
Zero impact from the biggest name in the XI.
❌ Low Strike-Rate Middle Overs
Momentum died after Saim.
❌ No Killer Blow in Final Overs
Nawaz’s wicket at a key moment changed everything.
❌ Chameera’s Brilliance
Pakistan had no answer for his pace, angle, or accuracy.
🧠🟦 CRICKETORY INSIGHTS: "THE MATCH IN THREE MOMENTS"
1️⃣ Mishara & Mendis Partnership — 66 off 35
This partnership destroyed Pakistan’s bowling rhythm.
2️⃣ Nawaz’s Wicket in 19th Over
This turned a winning chase into a losing scramble.
3️⃣ Chameera’s Final Over
One of the greatest death overs in this tri-series.
🧩📈 What This Means for the Final
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
✔ Confidence sky-high
✔ Pace unit firing
✔ Middle order consistent
✔ Captain Shanaka in form
🇵🇰 Pakistan
⚠ Top order under massive pressure
⚠ Babar’s form now a crisis
⚠ Death bowling needs fixing
⚠ Team relying too much on Agha & Nawaz
The final will be a battle of nerve vs redemption.
❓📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How did Sri Lanka qualify for the T20I tri-series final?
A: By defeating Pakistan by 6 runs and finishing ahead of Zimbabwe on points.
Q2. Who was the Player of the Match?
A: Dushmantha Chameera for his outstanding 4/20 and match-winning final over.
Q3. Why did Pakistan lose the match?
A: A disastrous powerplay collapse (43/4), and failure to score 10 runs in the final over.
Q4. Who was Pakistan’s top performer?
A: Salman Ali Agha with an unbeaten 63 off 44 balls.
Q5. What target did Sri Lanka set?
A: Sri Lanka scored 184/5 in 20 overs.
🎯 FINAL VERDICT — Cricketory Rating
⭐ Sri Lanka: 9.2/10
Gutsy cricket. Smart tactics. Elite execution.
⭐ Pakistan: 7.1/10
Fought well, but too many self-inflicted wounds.