Player of the Match
Player of the Match

END OF OVER:
20 | 9 Runs | SL: 133/7 (83 runs required, RR: 6.65)

  • Maheesh Theekshana32 (26b)
  • Binura Fernando0 (2b)
  • Naseem Shah4-0-28-0
  • Salman Mirza3-0-28-2

And with that our coverage of this game comes to an end. Goodnight!

Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan: "I was sure that we will end up scoring more than 200 despite not scoring much in the powerplay. We have been a different T20I side in 2026 as our six-hitting ratio has improved and our batters are scoring at more than 150. If we continue this way we will end up scoring more than 200 every time. We will play with the same intensity with which we have played these two matches in the next match."

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis: "Batters need to take responsibility including me. It was a batting pitch and we needed to score 200 runs at least. Fast bowlers bowled really well in the powerplay after which we dropped a few catches. I am happy with how the bowlers bowled, but we have to improve on the mistakes we made in the middle overs. We have done well in terms of fielding in the last few tournaments but unfortunately we have not been up to the mark in the last two matches because of which we have struggled. But I have trust in my team and we will bounce back."

Maaz Sadaqat: "I was trying to make the most of my form and thank to Almighty it worked for me. I had believe in myself that I can hit the ball and there was one particular ball on which I told Hasan Nawaz that I will smash this one for a six, which I did. I play with positive intent and pick my balls to hit boundaries."

No surprises there as Maaz Sadaqat is the player of the match for his fabulous knock

Aqeel: "Keeping an eye on next T20 WC, Pakistan must focus on a balanced squad. in NZ and Australia Pakistan can't pick too many spin allrounders. If Saim is not used in top, bench him out and slot in proper finisher."

Handshakes all around and Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan has a big smile on his face as he wins his first series in charge. A sensational 51-ball 96 from Maaz propelled Pakistan to 215 which was too much for Sri Lanka. It turned out to be a fairly one-sided contest in the end as Sri Lanka shelled three chances - including Farhan, who made 73, and Maaz - in the first innings and never really looked in control during the chase after they lost early wickets. Pakistan are 2-0 up in the three-match series with the last fixture to be played on Tuesday.

19.6
1
Naseem Shah to Theekshana, 1 run, Carves the yorker on off stump to deep cover point and Pakistan clinch the series

Right, last ball coming up.

19.5
4
Naseem Shah to Theekshana, FOUR, Slowish on length and Theekshana swats it down the ground. Umpire ducks to get outside the line of the ball.
19.4
0
Naseem Shah to Theekshana, no run, Boucer! Flies over Theekshana
19.3
1b
Naseem Shah to Fernando, 1 bye, Oh! Misses the leg-stump by a whisker. Darts it full, Theekshana looks to hit it out of the park but misses.

Whoever has written these sponsored copies to be said during the balls doesn't really deserve to be a copywriter

19.2
1
Naseem Shah to Theekshana, 1 run, Full on off stump, driven to the wide of long off
19.1
2
Naseem Shah to Theekshana, 2 runs, Back of the hand slower ball on off, carved to deep cover

END OF OVER:
19 | 10 Runs 1 Wkt | SL: 124/7 (92 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.52, RRR: 92.00)

  • Binura Fernando0 (1b)
  • Maheesh Theekshana24 (21b)
  • Salman Mirza3-0-28-2
  • Naseem Shah3-0-20-0

Smiles in the Pakistani dugout as all three coaches Hesson, Smith, and Tait look relaxed with the series comfortably secured.

18.6
0
Salman Mirza to Fernando, no run, Drives the overpitched delivery on off to the cover fielder

Binura in at nine. Round the wicket, Salman.

18.5
W
Salman Mirza to Wickramasinghe, OUT, Caught at cover! Full on off stump and it is carved straight into the belly of the Pakistan captain who makes no error. Mirza gets his second of the match.

C Wickramasinghe c Sahibzada Farhan b Salman Mirza 29 (33m 24b 1x4 1x6) SR: 120.83

Back over the wicket

18.4
1
Salman Mirza to Theekshana, 1 run, Tucks the length ball in stumps to deep midwicket. Brings up 50 run partnership.

Round the wicket now

18.3
1
Salman Mirza to Wickramasinghe, 1 run, Full in stumps and he gives it a wild swing. The ball rolls to deep long on off the inner part of his bat.
18.2
6
Salman Mirza to Wickramasinghe, SIX, Oh! Where did that come from?! Muscles the length ball back over Salman's head for a six over long off. Proper flat-bat shot, which we usually see in tape-ball cricket

Ahmad Waqas: "@Kamran, I strongly agree, he's been proving his worth since he was first selected, but not given proper chances and even if he finds a place, his full quota of overs isn't utilized, how strange!"

18.1
2
Salman Mirza to Wickramasinghe, 2 runs, Full in stumps, drilled down to long on

Mirza back into the attack

END OF OVER:
18 | 9 Runs | SL: 114/6 (102 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.33, RRR: 51.00)

  • Chamindu Wickramasinghe20 (20b)
  • Maheesh Theekshana23 (20b)
  • Naseem Shah3-0-20-0
  • Abrar Ahmed3-0-26-0
17.6
1
Naseem Shah to Wickramasinghe, 1 run, Naseem responds with a seam-up yorker on leg stump which is dug out
17.5
4
Naseem Shah to Wickramasinghe, FOUR, Lands the cutter on length on off and it is thrashed over his head down the ground. Brilliant flat-bat shot. Extends his arms comfortably to dispatch that one
17.4
1
Naseem Shah to Theekshana, 1 run, Clips the full ball to deep midwicket
17.3
1
Naseem Shah to Wickramasinghe, 1 run, Seam-up yorker on off stump, dug to mid off
17.2
1
Naseem Shah to Theekshana, 1 run, Fullish in stumps, sprints to the other end as soon as he pushes it to the mid off
17.1
1
Naseem Shah to Wickramasinghe, 1 run, On a length angling into his off stump. Dragged to deep square leg while standing tall.

Naseem Shah to bowl now.

END OF OVER:
17 | 3 Runs | SL: 105/6 (111 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 6.17, RRR: 37.00)

  • Maheesh Theekshana21 (18b)
  • Chamindu Wickramasinghe13 (16b)
  • Abrar Ahmed3-0-26-0
  • Shadab Khan3-0-19-1

Kamran: "Sufiyan Muqeem is one of the best spin options Pakistan has right now. I honestly don't understand why he isn't being given regular opportunities in the national team. He deserves a consistent run to prove his worth at the highest level. Pakistan should invest in his talent and give him the confidence and backing he needs"

16.6
0
Abrar Ahmed to Theekshana, no run, Tossed up on length which turns into Theekshana, blocks while backing away

Over the wicket

16.5
1
Abrar Ahmed to Wickramasinghe, 1 run, Tossed up in stumps and he backs away to drill it down the ground to long on
16.4
0
Abrar Ahmed to Wickramasinghe, no run, slowish length ball outside off, turns away from the batter who misses a swing down the ground

back round the wicket

16.3
1
Abrar Ahmed to Theekshana, 1 run, Poor from Abrar as he errs down the leg. Paddled fine and Salman Mirza at fine leg gives it a chase.

Sri Lanka 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st6Lahiru UdaraSineth Jayawardena
2nd29BKG MendisSineth Jayawardena
3rd13BKG MendisPHKD Mendis
4th1SSD ArachchigePHKD Mendis
5th15MD ShanakaPHKD Mendis
6th10PHKD MendisC Wickramasinghe
7th50M TheekshanaC Wickramasinghe
8th9B FernandoM Theekshana