Rawalpindi (GNP): Pakistan will look to complete a clean sweep against Sri Lanka in the third and final T20 International (T20I) on Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The visitors will fight for a consolation victory to avoid a series whitewash.
Pakistan have already sealed the three-match series 2-0 with commanding performances in the opening two games. Their batting has been the main reason, led by Maaz Sadaqat and captain Sahibzada Farhan.
Sadaqat scored 50 off 29 balls in the first match and followed it with an explosive 96 off 51 deliveries in the second. Farhan made 89 and 73 in the same two games and leads the series run-scoring charts.
Their form peaked in the second T20I, when Pakistan posted 215 for three. That is their highest T20I total on home soil, surpassing the previous best of 208 for three against the West Indies in 2021.
With the trophy secured, Pakistan’s team management may consider resting key players, although the middle order could benefit from more time at the crease. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed could make way for left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim, but otherwise Pakistan are keen to keep the winning combination.
Sri Lanka face a harder selection puzzle. Their bowlers struggled to contain Pakistan on a batting-friendly Rawalpindi surface, and spinner Maheesh Theekshana came under pressure in the second match. They could turn to leg-spinner V Viyaskanth and may bring back fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, fitness permitting. Changes to the top order are also possible.
Also Read: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 82 runs in second T20I
Sri Lanka’s batting hopes rest largely on Lahiru Udara. The 32-year-old scored 91 off 55 balls in the first T20I but could not repeat that in the second, and he will be eager to deliver another big innings. The visitors also need a stronger start and more from the middle order, while their bowlers must take early wickets to restrict the hosts.
The conditions point to another high-scoring game. The surface is expected to favour batters, with favourable weather and evening temperatures forecast in the low 20s Celsius.
Form also favours the hosts. Pakistan’s record in their last five completed T20Is reads WWLWW, against LLWLL for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s only T20I series win since the start of 2025 came against Zimbabwe at home last year.
A win on Tuesday would let Pakistan finish the series emphatically and build confidence through a dominant performance.
