Sri Lanka deny Pakistan T20I whitewash

Summary

• Captain Kusal Mendis delivered a commanding performance, scoring an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls to guide Sri Lanka to their target of 169 in just 17.1 overs.
• He received valuable support from Arafat Minhas, who remained unbeaten on 34 off just 20 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.
• Pakistan began positively through Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, who helped the hosts score 34 runs in the opening 19 balls.

AI Generated Summary

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final T20 International on Tuesday to avoid a series whitewash. Despite the defeat, Pakistan secured the three-match series 2-1 after winning the first two encounters.

Captain Kusal Mendis delivered a commanding performance, scoring an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls to guide Sri Lanka to their target of 169 in just 17.1 overs. The visitors finished at 171-2, completing a comfortable victory after suffering two consecutive defeats.

Mendis struck nine fours and four sixes during his impressive innings. He anchored the chase after Sri Lanka lost opener Lahiru Udara for just one run. The captain reached his half-century off 33 deliveries and maintained the momentum throughout the innings.

He shared a 59-run partnership with Sineth Jayawardena, who contributed 38 off 26 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Jayawardena’s dismissal brought Kamindu Mendis to the crease, and he remained unbeaten on 40 off 27 deliveries. Kamindu struck four boundaries as he and Kusal added an unbroken 98-run partnership to seal the victory.