Sri Lanka’s gamers have a good time after successful the third and last Twenty20 worldwide cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the Rangiri Dambulla Worldwide Stadium in Dambulla on January 11, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: AFP
Sri Lanka ended a 14-year drought by beating Pakistan in a Twenty20 recreation at residence to attract their three-match sequence 1-1.
The hosts gained the third T20 by 14 runs on Sunday (January 11, 2026).
In a rain-reduced match, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka smashed 5 sixes in 34 runs off 9 balls that propelled Sri Lanka to a powerful 160-6 in its allotted 12 overs after Pakistan gained the toss and selected to bowl.
Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha matched his counterpart with a blistering 45 off simply 12 balls earlier than Sri Lanka quick bowlers Matheesha Pathirana (2-34) and Eshan Malinga (1-27) bowled two tidy overs on the finish and restricted the guests to 146-8.
Pakistan gained the primary T20 by six wickets earlier than the second recreation was washed out with no ball being bowled in Dambulla.
The sequence was a part of each groups’ preparations for subsequent month’s T20 World Cup to be collectively hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan is because of play all its World Cup video games in Sri Lanka.
Agha had slashed the goal to 101 inside the primary 4 overs of Pakistan’s energetic chase when he smacked three sixes and 5 fours. However Pathirana supplied an important breakthrough when Agha holed out to brief high quality leg whereas making an attempt a ramp shot towards the pacer.
Key wrist-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (4-35) then picked up two wickets in his first 5 deliveries — Saim Ayub and Usman Khan have been caught within the outfield as Pakistan slipped to 67-4.
Mohammad Nawaz (28) and debutant wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay (26) revived the chase with a breezy 49-run stand earlier than Hasaranga grabbed two extra wickets in his last over.
With 30 wanted off the ultimate two overs, Pathirana clear bowled Nawaz with a slower supply within the penultimate over which went for 10 runs. Malinga’s last over conceded simply 5 runs, together with 4 wides.
It was Sri Lanka’s first T20 win towards Pakistan at residence since 2012.
Sri Lanka’s late flurry
Sri Lanka’s top-order batters earlier saved scoring at a speedy tempo in difficult circumstances for the bowlers, who needed to bowl with the moist ball resulting from soggy outfield.
Opener Kamil Mishara scored 20 off 8 balls; Kusal Mendis capitalized on a dropped catch with a knock of 30 off 16; and former white-ball captain Charith Asalanka scored 21 off 13.
Shanaka and Janith Liyanage (22 not out off 8 balls) supplied the late flurry as Sri Lanka scored 58 runs within the last three overs – 19 runs within the tenth over, 15 within the eleventh and 24 within the twelfth.
Shanaka stayed deep in his crease and smacked Wasim for 3 successive sixes within the final over.
Pakistan will play a three-match T20 sequence towards Australia at residence earlier than the T20 World Cup begins Feb. 7 whereas Sri Lanka hosts England in a white-ball sequence later this month.
Revealed – January 12, 2026 11:39 am IST
