AI Simulation, PAK vs SL | Pakistan knock Sri Lanka out of T20I Tri-Series with clinical win

Pitch and Weather

Rawalpindi produced a typical limited-overs surface – fresh grass early, good pace and carry under lights, and later flattening into an excellent batting track. The new ball moved just enough to trouble the top-order batters before dew made the ball skid on in the second innings.Temperatures hovered around 20-22°C, dry and clear, with no rain in between – giving ideal conditions for uninterrupted cricket.

Toss

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, backing the trend of strong first-innings totals at this venue and trusting their in-form top order to set the tone.

Lineups

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga

Match Report

Electing to bat, Pakistan delivered a confident top-order performance with Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan starting steadily. The southpaw timed boundaries through the off-side while Farhan handled the early pressure from Dushmantha Chameera. Ayub fell trying to lift Hasaranga over mid-off, bringing Babar Azam to the crease – and Pakistan’s innings immediately gained fluency. Babar mixed classic drives with controlled aggression, guiding Pakistan’s innings with a fluent partnership of 78 with Farhan, giving them early control over the game before Farhan was undone by Vijayakanth Viyaskanth’s skidder.

Fakhar Zaman injected momentum with a rapid 28 off 17, ensuring Pakistan stayed ahead despite Sri Lanka tightening briefly in the middle overs. In the death, Salman Agha and Usman Khan capitalized on some erratic bowling, adding crucial late boundaries as the Men in Green closed at a competitive 189/5.

Sri Lanka’s chase began steadily, with Pathum Nissanka playing fluently against the new ball, finding early boundaries. However, Shaheen Afridi swung sharply to remove Kusal Mendis and Kamil Mishara in his opening spell, putting Pakistan ahead despite Sri Lanka’s initial composure. Nissanka continued to anchor the innings with a well-paced 41 off 29, while Kusal Perera added 19 off 15 before failing in his attempt to accelerate. Despite contributions from the visiting batters, regular wickets kept interrupting Sri Lanka’s momentum and prevented any sustained chase.

Though Janith Liyanage looked assured during his 21-ball 27, wickets kept tumbling around him. Wanindu Hasaranga perished trying to clear long-on, and Dasun Shanaka succumbed to Abrar Ahmed’s sharp drift and turn, pushing the required rate beyond reach. Chameera and Nuwan Thushara swung bravely at the end, yet Sri Lanka never truly recovered from the early collapse. Shaheen returned to polish off the tail, sealing their innings at 164/8.

Pakistan’s early bowling dominance, combined with Babar’s authoritative control at the crease, delivered a comfortable 25-run victory and reinforced their growing confidence heading deeper into the series.

Player of the Match

Babar Azam – for his classy and crucial 63 off 42, setting up a defendable total that shaped the outcome.

Scorecard