Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, T20I Tri-Series in PAK, 2025 Nov 27 Full score card

SRI LANKA QUALIFY FOR THE TRI-SERIES FINAL! Yorker on off. Wasim swings hard but bunts it off the toe end toward mid on. A dot to end the game. Sri Lanka win by 6 runs.

Mohammad Wasim comes in next, with Pakistan needing 7 off the last ball. Six runs needed for a Super Over.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Chameera gets his fourth! Full and at the stumps. Ashraf gets under it and lofts it toward long-on, where Shanaka takes a good catch. Pakistan are seven down.

Huge appeal and up goes the finger. Faheem Ashraf has reviewed it straightaway. Yorker length delivery, angled in, and attacks the stumps. Ashraf tries to work it across the line but misses and gets pinned in front. The replays show that there is an inside edge onto the pad, and Ashraf stays on. 7 needed off 2 balls.

Full and at the stumps. Ashraf drills it down to long-on. A fumble from Liyanage in the deep allows the second run.

Slower full ball at the stumps. Salman advances and lifts it on the bounce to long-on for a single.

Pace off on a length and moves away to beat Salman all ends up as he swings and misses.

Pakistan need 10 runs from the last over. The skipper Salman Agha is going strong and will look to take his side home. Chameera has the job of defending for Sri Lanka.

A dot ball to end the final over! Slower length ball, outside off. Faheem Ashraf swings and misses. 10 needed off the last over.

FOUR! UP AND AWAY! Slower ball on the full, outside off. Ashraf picks the change of pace and lofts it toward the deep extra cover region. A valiant effort, but the fielder cannot prevent the boundary.

Slower length ball, outside off. Salman reaches for it and chops into the off side for one.

Slower, back of a length, on middle. Ashraf punches it past the bowler, down the ground for a single.

Faheem Ashraf comes in at number 8.

NAWAZ HOLES OUT! Eshan Malinga gets a crucial wicket! Slower ball on a length, around off. Nawaz makes room and lifts it straight to long-off, where Hasaranga takes a simple catch. Pakistan are six down. A handy cameo from Nawaz ends now.

SIX! UP AND OVER! Slower ball on the full, outside off. Nawaz gets under it and smashes it over the man at long off for half a dozen.

This game is going down to the wire. Eshan Malinga has been expensive tonight, but he will need to bowl a solid penultimate over to get his side back in the game.

Full and at the stumps. Nawaz whips it toward the wide of long-on and settles for a single. Pakistan need 22 off 12 balls. The home side are favourites.

Slower length ball, outside off. Salman cuts it toward deep backward point for one.

Full and at the stumps. Nawaz drives it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! STREAKY, BUT NAWAZ WILL TAKE IT! Full and around off. Nawaz swings hard, gets the outside edge that flies down to deep third for a lucky boundary.

SIX! SMOKED! Back of a length, around off. Nawaz picks the bones out of it and thumps it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a colossal hit.

Slower ball on a length, around off. Salman looks to punch through covers but gets the outside edge to the right of the keeper for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera (2-0-3-3) is back into the attack.

Fuller and wider outside off. Salman bunts it off the toe end toward extra cover and ends the over with a single. 36 needed off 18 balls.

SIX! STAND AND DELIVER! Fuller and quicker at 112.4 kmph. Salman makes room and lofts it inside out, nails it over the deep extra cover fence for a massive six.

Fuller and quicker, just outside off. Nawaz drills it down to long on for a single.

Yorker length delivery outside off. Salman squeezes it through point for one.

Very full, on the middle and leg. Nawaz flicks it toward the deep mid-wicket region and calls for two runs. An overthrow from the Theekshana allows Pakistan to take the extra run.

Flatter and quicker, pushed across the batter. Nawaz sits low, swings and misses.

Pace off on a length, around off. Salman cuts it off the under-edge to the keeper.

WIDE! Slower full ball, pushed across the tramline. Salman lets it go. A third wide in the over.

SIX! BANG! Full and at the stumps. Salman picks it early and whacks it over the long on fence for a maximum. Brings up his fifty in style.

WIDE! Slower, banged in short, outside off. Salman throws his hand to slash it away but misses. Another wide given.

Another slower ball, outside the arc of the batter. Salman hacks it off the inner half toward long-on for a couple.

WIDE! Pace off on the full, well outside the tramline. Salman lets it go for a wide.

Slower bumper, on the middle. Nawaz ducks under it, but it catches the splice of the blade and rolls toward short fine leg for one.

Slower ball on the full, around off. Nawaz squirts it to the man at short extra cover.

Full-length delivery, outside off. Salman gets across, tries to scoop but changes his shot, and squeezes it toward backward point for one.

On a length, around off. Salman knocks it down to long on for a single. 61 needed off the last five overs.

FOUR MORE! SMART BATTING! Tossed up on a length, around off. Salman drags it from outside and sweeps it toward the deep backward square leg for another boundary.

Flatter and quicker, outside off. Salman cuts and picks out the man at backward point.

FOUR! TOP SHOT! Tosses it full, around off. Salman moves across and goes inside out toward deep extra cover for a cracking boundary.

On a length, on the leg. Nawaz works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter delivery, on the middle and leg. Salman steers it to deep point for one.

Slower length ball, on the middle. Salman gets across and swipes the pull, on the bounce to deep backward square leg for one. Pakistan need 72 off 36 balls.

WIDE! Slower bumper, outside off, and well over the batter. Salman makes room and lets it go. Wide given.

FOUR! CHEEKY AND EFFECTIVE! Slower ball on a length, on off. Salman sits low, and scoops it over the keeper, toward third man region for a clever boundary.

Slower and shorter in length, on off. Nawaz stays back and hacks the pull on the bounce to long on for a single.

Slower and shorter on off. Salman forces the pull to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Good length delivery outside off. Nawaz advances and flays it to deep point for one.

Short of a good length, on off. Salman knocks it toward mid on for one.

Shortish googly, on the middle. Salman hangs back and punches it to long-on for one.

Fuller leg break, on the middle and leg. Nawaz nudges it through square leg for one.

Flatter wrong'un, on the middle and leg. Salman knocks it down to long on for one.

LEG BYE! Tossed up leg break, on the middle and leg. Nawaz looks to work it across the line, misses and gets hit on the pad. The ball rolls away to point and they take a leg bye.

Mohammad Nawaz comes in at number 7.

OUT! OUT! CAUGHT! Hasaranga has the last laugh! Tosses it full, spins away just outside off. Usman Khan looks to slog it across the line again but gets the outside edge that flies toward the short third, where Kusal Perera takes a simple catch. Pakistan have lost half of their side.

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Tossed up full, at the stumps. Usman Khan backs away, sits low, and tonks it over the long-on fence for a mammoth hit.

Slower ball on the full, around off. Salman waits and flicks it to the right of deep mid-wicket for two more. The 50-run stand comes up between Usman Khan and Salman Agha.

Full and at the stumps. Salman shuffles and tries to flick through the leg side, gets a leading edge that rolls to the left of the bowler.

Slower and shorter, around off. Salman moves across and pulls it toward the fine leg region for a couple.

SIX! UP AND AWAY! Full and at the stumps. Salman makes room and lofts it cleanly over the deep extra cover fence for a much needed six.

Back of a length, on off. Usman Khan tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

WIDE! Pitched full, angling down the leg. Usman Khan flicks and misses. Another wide.

WIDE! Slower full ball again, outside the tramline on the off-side. Usman Khan swings and misses. Wided.

Slower ball on the full, around off. Usman Khan makes room and lofts it over the bowler, down the ground for a couple.

TWO BYES! Fuller leg break, spinning away, outside off. Salman looks to sweep and misses. A fumble from the keeper allows the ball to go toward the deep third for two byes.

Floated on the middle. Slogged on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Short and wide outside off. Usman Khan slaps it hard through extra cover and finds the ropes in a flash.

Flatter, around off. Usman Khan hits it to the man at short cover.

Leg break, outside off. Usman Khan makes room and chops into the off-side.

Flatter googly, on the middle and leg. Salman advances and works it through mid-wicket for one.

DRINKS! Pakistan find themselves in a tricky position at the halfway stage, tottering at 70/4. Skipper Salman Agha and Usman Khan have put together a stabilising partnership, but Pakistan will need a deep and resilient batting effort if they are to remain in the contest. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be looking to maintain the pressure, aiming to pick up regular wickets while keeping the run rate under control.

Back of a length, outside off. Salman cuts it toward deep backward point for a single.

Slower length ball, on the middle. Usman Khan chips it toward mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! NICELY DONE! Slower length ball, around off. Usman Khan advances and carves it through the gap at the backward point for a lovely boundary.

Back of a length, follows the batter outside the leg stump. Salman backs away and half pulls it on the bounce to long on for one.

Slower length ball, on middle. Nudged through mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Back of a length, swings late, outside the tramline on the off-side. Usman Khan looks to hack across the line but misses. Wide given.

Pitched full, just outside off. Salman gets across and ramps it off the toe end toward long leg for a single.

Tossed up on the middle. Salman advances and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flighted wrong'un, turning into off. Salman prods and looks to work it across the line, but misses and gets struck in front. Appeal from the bowler, but the umpire turns it down. Dasun Shanaka takes the review. The ball tracking shows the impact outside off-stump, and Salman stays on. Sri Lanka lose the review.

Flatter googly now, on the middle and leg. Usman Khan works it through mid-wicket for one.

Flatter leg break, around off. Usman Khan steers it toward deep backward point for a couple.

SIX! BOOM! Floated full, turning into the middle. Usman Khan makes room, sits low, and smokes it over the long-on boundary for a colossal 104m hit.

Tossed up leg break, slower through the air, around off. Usman Khan shimmies down and defends back to the bowler.

Back of a length on off. Usman Khan pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 50 comes up for Pakistan.

Fuller than a length, at the stumps. Usman Khan makes room to drive through covers, gets the inside edge onto the pad.

Slower and shorter on middle. Salman gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Good length delivery on the middle. Salman knocks it down the pitch, and a fine one-handed stop from Shanaka in his follow-through.

Short of a good length, on off. Salman advances, flays, and misses at it.

Full pitcher on the middle and leg. Usman Khan flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Fuller leg break, just outside off. Salman presses forward in defence.

Floated full, on off. Salman prods and pushes into the covers.

Flighted googly, on the middle and leg. Usman Khan stays back and works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tosses it on a length, turning into the middle and leg stump line. Usman Khan comes forward to defend, but plays the wrong line and is pinned in front. Big appeal from the bowler and the keeper, and up goes the finger. Usman Khan takes the review. The ultra-edge shows an inside edge onto the pad. The decision is overturned to NOT OUT. Usman Khan stays.

Quicker wrong'un, turning into the middle and leg. Usman Khan plays all round it and wears on the pad.

Flatter googly, on middle. Salman dabs it through point for one.

Wanindu Hasaranga comes into the attack.

Fuller than a good length, attacking the stumps. Salman tries to work it through the leg side, gets the outside edge that rolls away to deep third for a single. Pakistan are 45/4 at the end of the Powerplay.

Banged in short, angled into the middle. Salman ducks under it and lets it go.

Back of a length on off. Usman Khan hops and tucks into the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

Good length delivery on off. Usman Khan comes forward and defends it to the man at short cover.

Usman Khan comes in at number 6.

OUT! HIGH IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Chameera gets his third! Short of a good length delivery, just outside off. Zaman tries to hack it across the line, but miscues it very high toward the deep mid on region. Shanaka runs back from mid on, keeps his eye on the ball, and takes a sharp catch. Pakistan have slumped to 43/4 inside the Powerplay.

Short of a good length, shapes away, and beats the outside edge of Zaman.

FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Pitched full, angled down the leg. Salman flicks it to fine leg and ends the over with a boundary.

Low full toss on off. Zaman bunts it toward mid off for a quick single.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Eshan Malinga has his man! On a hard length, just outside off. Ayub tries to cut it through the off-side, gets the inside edge that crashes back onto the stumps. Pakistan are three down and in a spot of bother. Saim Ayub departs after a brisk start.

Fakhar Zaman comes in at number 5.

WIDE! Slower bumper, around the left shoulder. Ayub ducks and lets it go. Wide signaled by the umpire.

SIX! BANG! Back of a length, on middle. Ayub picks the length early and sends it over the deep backward square leg fence for a massive hit.

Pitched full, on off. Salman pushes it toward mid-on and takes one.

Skiddy length ball, close to the off stump. Saim Ayub dabs it toward short third and calls for a single. A direct hit from the short third fielder would have been curtains for Salman.

Salman Agha comes in at number 4. Eshan Malinga comes into the attack.

OUT! LBW! Dushmantha Chameera picks up the second wicket in the over! Skiddy length ball, attacking the middle and leg stump line. Babar Azam stays back, trying to work it across the line, but gets rushed for pace and is pinned in front. Appeal from the bowler and up goes the finger. Babar Azam does not waste the review. The home side are two down.

Pitched full, on off. Babar Azam drives it to the man at mid off.

Babar Azam comes in at number 3.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Chameera gets the big fish! Slower ball on short of a good length, around off. Farhan makes room and swings hard at it, gets the outside edge that flies to the man at point, where Liyanage makes no mistake. Pakistan lose their first after a decent opening stand.

Slower ball on a length, on the middle and leg. Farhan stays back and dabs this toward backward point.

Pitched full, on off. Gently driven toward mid off for a single.

Fuller than a length, pushed across the batter. Saim Ayub looks to drive on the up but misses.

Dushmantha Chameera comes into the attack.

On a good length, on off. Farhan moves across and tries to work it leg side, ends up getting squared, and the ball goes off the outer edge toward short third.

Flatter and quicker, on the middle. Saim Ayub tucks it toward wide of mid-on for a single.

FOUR! THREE IN A ROW! Tad short, on the middle and leg. Saim Ayub gets inside the line and pulls it toward deep backward square leg for a hat-trick of boundaries.

FOUR MORE! TWO IN TWO! Very full, outside off. Saim Ayub drives it past the man at extra cover, and it races off the turf for consecutive boundaries.

FOUR! OVER THE TOP! Looped up full, on the middle. Saim Ayub picks it early and hits it inside out toward the deep extra cover region for a lovely boundary.

Tosses it on a length, angled in, and spins away late, around off. Saim Ayub makes room to go inside out but fails to connect.

FOUR MORE! GLORIOUS! Half volley outside off. Farhan leans into it and drills it through the gap at extra cover and mid off for back to back boundaries to finish the over.

FOUR! SMASHED! Back of a length, outside off. Farhan makes room and hammers it hard through the gap at point for a cracking boundary.

Good length delivery on off. Farhan dabs it to the man at point.

On a hard length, on middle. Saim Ayub knocks it down to long on for one.

That was very close! Fuller than a good length, moves late, and goes close to the off-stump. Saim Ayub looks to heave it across the line but misses.

Fuller than a length, around off. Saim Ayub drives but cannot beat the short extra cover fielder.

Dasun Shanaka will share the attack.

Full pitcher on off. Saim Ayub drills it hard toward extra cover. A fine stop from the fielder keeps it to a single.

Low full toss on the middle. Saim Ayub makes room and hits it on the bounce to the cover fielder. Ayub wanted the run but Farhan sends him back.

Fuller and quicker, just outside off. Saim Ayub drives it hard but cannot beat the man at point.

Fuller on off. Driven to the man at short extra cover.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Dropped short, on off. Saim Ayub goes back and pulls it hard toward the deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

Pakistan are away! Flatter delivery, drifting into the middle. Farhan knocks it through the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

OUT! DASUN IS RUN OUT! Good length on middle and leg, Dasun Shanaka smashes this towards the cow corner and takes the first hard. Janith Liyanage turns and runs for the second as well but Dasun Shanaka hesitates and just stands out of his crease. Janith Liyanage, meanwhile, manages to put his bat in the crease at the non-striker's end with Dasun Shanaka standing out of his crease. Babar Azam fields this and throws it to the striker's end with Usman Khan doing the rest by removing the bails. Sri Lanka have posted 184 on the board.

WIDE! Full and way too wide of off, Dasun Shanaka leaves it again. Wided.

Yorker wide of off, Dasun Shanaka swings and misses.

WIDE! On a length wide outside off, Dasun Shanaka leaves it all alone. Wided.

FOUR! Sliced away for a boundary. Short and wide of off, Dasun Shanaka plants his front foot deep inside the crease and cuts this behind square on off for a boundary.

WIDE! Full and way too wide of off, Dasun Shanaka swings and misses it. Wided.

FOUR! Another full toss, wide of off, Dasun Shanaka this time doesn't look to get cheeky and smashes this up and over the bowler for a boundary towards the sight screen.

The physio has rushed out to check on Dasun Shanaka. All seems good and Dasun Shanaka is ready to face the next delivery.

OUCH! That has got to hurt Dasun Shanaka. Full toss, around off, Dasun Shanaka goes for the ramp but ends up ramping it straight back onto his throat.

BYE! On a length wide outside off, Janith Liyanage looks to ramp but misses. The batters run for a bye. Usman Khan gather this behind the stumps and throws it at the stumps at the striker's end but misses.

On a length around middle and leg, Janith Liyanage slogs this on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one.

Mirza comes round the wicket, nails the wide yorker. Janith Liyanage jumps down the track and gets beaten.

On a length around middle and off, Janith Liyanage smashes this to long off for a couple.

Good length on middle and off, Dasun Shanaka fails to get right underneath it this time and hits this to long on for one.

SIX! DISPATCHED! Back of a length around middle and leg, Dasun Shanaka plants his front foot towards his leg and pulls this out of the park towards the deep mid-wicket region for a massive six. Much-needed for Sri Lanka.

Good length on middle and leg, Janith Liyanage smashes this to long on for a single.

Short and on off, Dasun Shanaka backs away from the stumps and looks to cut this behind point but misses.

On a length around off, Janith Liyanage pushes this to long on for another single.

FOUR! Janith gets a lucky boundary. Back of a length on off, Janith Liyanage clears his front foot from the line of it and swings at it. Gets it edged off the inside for a boundary toward fine leg.

Good length on off, Dasun Shanaka cuts this late to deep third for one.

Back of a length around off, Janith Liyanage slaps this over extra cover for one.

Full and wide outside off, Janith Liyanage looks to get some bat on it but fails to do so.

Wrong'un around middle and off, Dasun Shanaka fails to read it as he swings at it and misses out.

OUT! CAUGHT! Short of a length on middle and off, Kamil Mishara goes for the pull but doesn't get enough power behind it. Hits thie straight tot he fielder at deep mid-wicket. Mohammad Wasim makes no mitakes and holds onto it.

Tossed up on off, Janith Liyanage drives this to sweeper cover for one.

Short of a length on middle and leg, Kamil Mishara pushes this to long on for one.

SIX! Excellent from Kamil Mishara. Tossed up, wide of off, Kamil Mishara goes for the reverse and connects right from the middle of his bat. Hits it well enough to clear the fence towards the deep point region for a huge six.

Short of a length on off, Janith Liyanage punches this to extra cover for one.

DROPPED! Kamil Mishara has been dropped on 67. Back of a length on middle and leg, Kamil Mishara mistimes the slog and hits this straight to Salman Agha at wide long on. Agha glides to his left and gets behind it but ends up dropping the ball as he slides. Two taken.

Good length around off, Janith Liyanage cuts this to point for one.

Third dot already in the over. Cutter, into the surface, around off, Janith Liyanage swings and misses.

Slower one, wide of off, Janith Liyanage swings and misses. The change of pace is working fine for Faheem Ashraf.

FOUR! Effective innovation from Janith Liyanage. Off-cutter, wide of off, Janith Liyanage gets down on his knee and scoops this behind the keeper for a boundary.

Slower one, back of a length, just going over the middle and leg. Janith Liyanage looks to swing across the line but misses out.

Short and wide of off, Kamil Mishara cuts this to deep point for a couple to end the over.

Quicker one, around off, Kamil Mishara looks to cut but misses.

FOUR! Brilliantly smashed in the gap for four. Short of a length on middle and off, Kamil Mishara goes onto his back foot and smashes this in the gap towards the left of the fielder at extra cover for four runs.

Floated on off, Janith Liyanage works this through mid-wicket for another strike rotation.

Tossed up on the pads, Kamil Mishara flicks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Flighted, wide of off, Kamil Mishara gets it away to the left of the bowler.

Good length on middle and leg, Kamil Mishara pulls this away to deep square leg for another single.

This just did not bounce. Vutter, around off, Kamil Mishara settles himself to swing at it but the ball just doesn't bounce and goes past the batter.

Back of a length on middle and off, Janith Liyanage pulls this to deep mid-wicket for one more.

WIDE! On a length, wide outside off, a bit too wide. Janith Liyanage looks for a scoop but misses. Wided.

Short and wide of off, Kamil Mishara punches this through extra cover for one.

Back of a length on middle and leg, Kamil Mishara pulls this towards the left of deep mid-wicket and runs a couple.

Good length wide of off, Janith Liyanage cuts this to deep point for a single.

Quicker and flatter wide of off, Janith Liyanage pushes this to long off for a single.

Pushed through on off, Kamil Mishara punches this to sweeper cover for one.

SIX! UP AND OVER FOR A BIGGIE! Tossed up, around off, Kamil Mishara strides to the pitch of the delivery and smashes this over the fence towards the deep cover region for a brilliantly struck biggie. Brings up his half-century with this biggie.

Fuller on middle and off, Kamil Mishara gets close to the pitch of it and drives this to sweeper cover for two more.

Fuller on off, Kamil Mishara cuts this through the point region and runs a couple of runs.

2 WIDES! Full and wide down the leg, Janith Liyanage swings and misses, the keeper misses to gather this cleanly as well and the batters run an extra. Wided.

Full and on leg, Janith Liyanage defends this off his back foot.

Under-cutter, wide of off from Nawaz, going across the batter. Kamil cuts this through backward point for two.

Fuller on the pads, Janith Liyanage tucks this through mid-wicket for a single.

Full toss, wide of off, Kamil Mishara punts this to long on for a single.

Pushed through on off, Janith Liyanage dabs it in front of point for one.

Short of a length on middle and off, Kamil Mishara pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Smashed away for a boundary. Short and going across the batter. Kamil Mishara hangs onto his back foot and smashes this through the gap at the cover region for a brilliantly struck boundary.

Full and wide of off, Kamil Mishara drives this to sweeper cover for one.

Fuller on the pads, Janith Liyanage works this to short fine leg for one.

Janith Liyanage walks out next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Short and wide of off, Kusal Perera hangs onto his back foot and looks to cut this square through the point region. Hits this a bit early and finds Mohammad Nawaz at the edge of the circle towards cover.

Short of a length on middle and off, Kusal flicks this through mid-wicket and takes two here.

Tossed up around off, Kamil Mishara drives this to wide long off for a strike rotation.

Fuller, on leg, Kamil Mishara blocks this back to the bowler.

DRINKS! We're at the halfway mark of Sri Lanka's innings, and they're looking strong! Despite losing Pathum Nissanka early, Kusal Mendis' positive batting has put them in a good position. Sri Lanka's approach seems to be working, and they're pushing hard in this crucial game. Pakistan will be eager to break the partnership and get wickets to stem the flow of runs.

Quicker one, on off, Kamil Mishara cuts this to deep point for a single.

Fuller, on the pads, Kusal drills this down the ground to long on for one.

Tossed up on off, Kamil Mishara looks to flick this around square leg but ends up with a leading edge that lobs Agha for a single.

FOUR! Tossed up, around off, Kamil Mishara strides to the pitch of the delivery and drives this crisply, all along the ground for a boundary through the extra cover region.

Fired on the pads, Kusal Perera sweeps this to short fine leg for one.

Fuller, around off, Kusal Perera goes onto his back foot and taps this in front of cover and looks to snatch a single. The fielder was quickly onto it. A good throw to the keeper from Babar Azam and keeper does the rest by removing the bails rapidly. TV umpire is called into action and the replay shows that Kusal Perera was safely inside the creasse before the bails were removed.

Full and on the pads, Kusal Perera flicks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Pushed through on off, Kusal Perera blocks it around silly point.

Flighted, on off, Kamil Mishara pushes this through cover for one.

Floated on off, Kamil Mishara pushes this to extra cover.

Fuller and on off, Kusal Perera drives this to sweeper cover for one.

Kusal Perera walks out next.

OUT! LBW! That's as plumb as anything. Flicker, into the sticks from the Pakistani spinner. Kusal Mendis misreads the line and the trajectory as well. Goes onto his back foot and gets beaten as the ball skids on. Mendis is hit below the knee roll, in front of the middle stump. A gentle appeal from Abrar Ahmed was enough for the umpire to raise his finger.

Fuller on middle and off, Kusal Mendis pushes this down the ground for a single.

Full and down the leg, Kamil Mishara tickles this away to the left of Salman Mirza at short fine leg. Mirza dives and fields well to keep it down to just one.

WIDE! Nawaz comes round the wicket, fires one across the batter but way too wide. Wided.

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Tossed up, on middle and off, Kamil Mishara goes down on a knee and gives it a mighty swing of his bat. Connects well with the slog sweep and clears the fence towards deep mid-wicket region with ease for a biggie.

WIDE! Full and way too wide outside off, Kamil Mishara leaves it. Wided.

Pushed through on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis works this through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! There wasn't much wrong about the delivery but Kusal Mendis shows his class as he threads a gap for four. Floated on off, Kusal Mendis moves away from the stumps, plays this late and cuts this towards the left of backward point for a boundary.

Quicker one, on middle and off, Kamil Mishara pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a strike rotation.

Abrar comes, round the wicket, bowls a quicker one, on off, Kamil Mishara punches this through cover for one.

FOUR! Tossed up, on middle and leg, Kamil Mishara goes down on a knee and slogs this up and over the fielder at mid-wicket for a boundary. This wasn't far from big a biggie as it lands inches inside the fence before going over it.

Slower one, full and on off, Kamil Mishara punches this cover for no run.

Short of a length on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, on the pads, Kamil Mishara works this to short fine leg for one.

Pushed through on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis rolls this through mid on for one.

End of the Powerplay. Pakistan started well with the wicket of Pathum Nissanka early on but Kusal Mendis walked out with some positive intent and has taken the attack to the hosts. After 6 overs Sri Lanka are going almost around 10 an over and they'll looks to continue in this fashion.

Swing and a miss. Good length, on middle and off, Kamil Mishara looks to swing across the line but misses out.

Good length wide of off, Kusal Mendis guides this to deep third for a single.

Wasim hits the deck hard, on off, Kusal Mendis blocks.

FOUR LEG BYE! Boundaries galore in Pindi. Good length, down the leg, Kusal Mendis goes for the flick and misses out on connection with the bat. Gets it tickled off his thigh pads, to the left of the keeper for four towards fine leg.

FOUR! A boundary to follow the biggie. Short again, on middle and off, Kusal Mendis stays leg side to it this time, pulls this in front of square on leg, towards the deep mid-wicket region for four this time.

SIX! A biggie to start the final over of the Powerplay. Short and into the batter. Kusal Mendis gets inside the line of it and pulls this behind square. Gets a brilliant connection to sail the ball over the fence towards the long leg region for a biggie.

Back of a length on middle and off, Kusal Mendis pulls this in the gap towards the right of mid-wicket for one.

Good length on off, Kusal Mendis mistimes the pull, on the bounce to short mid-wicket.

Bumper, around off, Kusal Mendis sits under it.

FOUR! Kusal Mendis continues to play aggressively. Short and around middle and off, Kusal Mendis pulls this up and over the fielder at mid-wicket for a boundary more to his total.

Good length around middle and off, another cutter from Salman. Kusal Mendis looks to flick around mid-wicket but the ball holds into the surface and comes late at him. Kusal Mendis somehow manages to edge this short of short third.

Good length around off, Kamil Mishara swots it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Another boundary to end the over. Back of a length on middle and off, Kusal Mendis stays behind the popping crease and pulls this over mid-wicket for a boundary to close the over.

Cross-seam, on a length, around off, Kusal Mendis drives early at it. Gets it off the bottom of his bat to mid off.

On a length around off, Kamil Mishara drives this to extra cover and takes one.

Faheem goes eve wider and short this time. Kusal Mendis punches this to the left of Salman Agha at mid off. The ball was racing to the fence but a brilliant sliding effort from the skipper of Pakistan keeps it down to 3.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Kusal Mendis. Faheem Ashraf goes full and wide outside off, Kusal Mendis strides towards the pitch of the delivery and nails another cover drive, in the gap, this time towards the right of the fielder for four more.

FOUR! Mendis looks like he means business tonight. On a length around off, Kusal Mendis gets right on top of the bounce here and drives this all along the ground for a boundary through the cover region.

Another cutter, into the surface from Mirza. Kamil Mishara tentatively looks to poke at it but misses out. Ramiz Raza, on-air, feels that Kamil might have edged it but the fielding side has missed out on hearing it as nobody appealed.

Good length around off, Kamil Mishara strides to the pitch of the delivery and plays a glorious looking cover drive but finds the fielder.

FOUR! Clever placement from Kamil. Slower one, short and wide of off, Kamil Mishara plays this late and slices this behind the short third fielder for a boundary. Kamil Mishara moves to 12 with this boundary.

Full and wide of off, Kusal Mendis thumbs this into the ground and towards short extra cover. Babar Azam does well to take the sting out of it by getting a bit of hand to it. Single taken.

Good length, going across the batter. Kusal Mendis leaves it.

Kusal Mendis walks out at 3.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Nobody could believe until everyone sees the bail on middle and off on the ground. Cutter, around the top of off, Pathum Nissanka swings early and he looks to slog across the line. Gets beaten on the inside and the ball just kisses the tail of the bails and goes through to the keeper. Salman Mirza throws his head back as he believes that it was too close not to be bowled but celebrates as he sees the replay that shows that the ball has dislodged the bails on its way to the keeper.

Good length on middle and off, Pathum Nissanka punches this through cover for another single.

Good length around middle and off, Kamil Mishara pushes this to mid off for one.

Short pitched, around leg. Pathum Nissanka gets late into the hook and gets it away from the stick of his bat towards the left of short third for one. Pathum gets lucky as it lands in the empty space because he wasn't in control while playing this.

Good length on middle and off, Kamil Mishara pushes this gently to mid off and rotates strike.

FOUR! CONTROLLED FROM KAMIL! Short and just wide of off, Kamil Mishara triggers his movement on the front foot and goes back to stable himself and then punches this through the cover region for an excellently struck boundary.

Wasim hits the hard length, on off, Pathum Nissanka rocks back and pushes this through cover for a single.

Mohammad Wasim will operate from the other end.

Good length on middle and leg, Kamil Mishara pushes this to cover for a dot to end the first over.

Mirza bowls it full and wide of off, Kamil Mishara drives this through cover for a couple to open his account as well.

Good length around off, Kamil Mishara blocks this around point.

Short and wide outside off, Pathum Nissanka goes onto his back foot and cuts this to deep third for a single.

Back of a length on the pads, Pathum Nissanka hops, up on his toes and blocks this around mid-wicket.

FOUR! If this is a sign of things to come, we are in for a treat. Pitched up, around off, Pathum Nissanka strides to the pitch of the delivery. gets right behind it and mails the off-drive for a boundary to get underway.

We are all set for this crunch game to begin. A must-win for Lanka and a very good prep before the final for the hosts. Pathum Nissanka has walked out with Kamil Mishara to open for Sri Lanka. Salman Mirza will bw bowling the first over of the contest.

PITCH REPORT - The pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is looking a bit rougher than before, with less sheen than the previous game, according to Ramiz Raja and Pommie Mbangwa. It's expected to grip a bit, making it challenging for batters. The initial part of the game will see the ball moving around, with deviations from a length. Bowlers who can stay on the stumps will have an advantage, and the game might see some ups and downs.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka is feeling confident heading into today's match against Pakistan, with the team in a good mental space after their last win. They're happy to bat first, fitting their mindset and approach to the game, and are looking to maintain their momentum without any changes to the XI. Shanaka emphasized the team's focus on showing more energy on the field, and they're aiming for a target above 150-160, considering the surface's recent behavior.

Pakistan captain, Salman Agha, has elected to bowl first against Sri Lanka, aiming to maintain their winning momentum. He emphasized that they're focused on doing what they've been doing, acknowledging Sri Lanka as a good side. Agha also mentioned that Pakistan has made two changes to their lineup.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Agha (C), Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan (WK), Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim, Abrar Ahmed.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (C), Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga.

TOSS - Pakistan have won the toss and they have elected to BOWL first.

As the two teams prepare to battle it out under the Rawalpindi lights, the narrative is clear, will Pakistan's formidable form prove too much to handle, or can Sri Lanka rise to the occasion and secure their place in the final? The stage is set for an intense, high-stakes showdown.

Sri Lanka, however, faces an uphill battle to keep their tournament hopes alive. Their campaign has been a mixed bag, featuring a shocking defeat to Zimbabwe and then a heavy defeat to Pakistan but also a convincing nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe, buoyed by Pathum Nissanka's sensational 98. To challenge Pakistan's dominance, key batters like Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka must step up and provide substantial support. With the ball, the Lankans will rely heavily on the experienced duo of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera to break through a confident Pakistani batting line-up.

Pakistan enters this contest as the team to beat, having maintained a flawless record so far, including a dominant seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament. Their success has been driven by consistent performances from the top order, notably Sahibzada Farhan's impressive run, and crucial all-round contributions from Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub. The bowling unit has also been clinical, with Usman Tariq's four-wicket haul in a recent game highlighting their depth. For Pakistan, this match is an opportunity to fine-tune their combinations and maintain their winning momentum heading into the final.

Hello and welcome to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where the Tri-Series reaches its dramatic final group stage match. While Pakistan has already stamped its ticket to the grand final, this is a must-win encounter for Sri Lanka, who need a victory today to secure their place in the summit clash. The stakes couldn't be higher in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

... MATCHDAY ...

The Tri-Series in Rawalpindi has reached its climax and the final league match is here. It's been gripping cricket so far, and the business end promises to be even spicier. This is where things get real. Zimbabwe have finished their campaign and now they're in the waiting room, hoping their fate goes the way they want it to. Pakistan have already booked their spot in the summit clash, but the hosts still have a dog in this fight. Everything hinges on this Match 6 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Here's the deal. If Sri Lanka pull off the win, Zimbabwe are heading home. But if they slip up, the Zimbabweans sneak through courtesy of net run rate. It's that close. Sri Lanka come into this having just demolished their opponents by 9 wickets with balls to spare, yet their net run rate barely budged. Why? Because that horrific 95 all out against Zimbabwe earlier in the tournament left a scar, and the hammering from Pakistan didn't help either. But they've shown steel in their last outing, bouncing back when it mattered. The real story for Sri Lanka has been their top order falling apart like a house of cards. It's been messy. But then Pathum Nissanka showed up when the pressure was on, and suddenly things started clicking into place. When he finds his groove, the entire batting order settles down and starts breathing easy. That's the thing about cricket, isn't it? A solid start sets the tone for everything that follows. And if Sri Lanka get that right, they could make this interesting. The middle order will still have to calm their nerves when they get a chance and step up against a mighty Pakistani bowling attack. Apart from Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera, they do have ample stocks in that order including the skipper Shanaka ready to pounce in clutch situations. While the youngsters in Kamil Mishara and Janith Liyanage provide that depth in the batting. Bowling-wise, they improved their previous stints. The spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana have bowled well in tandem and the pacers in Chameera and others will need to back that up against a firing home side. For Pakistan, Sahibzada Farhan mirrors what Nissanka represents for Sri Lanka. An explosive opener with genuine quality. He's been blazing all year and his two half-centuries in three games speak volumes. He'll want to cap off the year with that same fire in his belly. That's where Pakistan's comfort zone ends though. The demands of modern T20I cricket mean the middle order needs to consistently deliver firepower, and Pakistan's have been unreliable. Babar Azam's recent 72 was impressive, no doubt, but here's the thing that keeps people talking. When he faces elite attacks and the pressure mounts, can he replicate that? Can he sustain it? Those are the questions that matter. Fakhar Zaman coming in lower as a hitter has been a brilliant move, it takes the burden off Saim Ayub in the opening slot, who's been a steadying presence in the format. Pakistan's bowling, though, has teeth. Mohammad Nawaz continues to be a craftsman with the ball, and Usman Tariq, their mystery spinner, is riding high after taking a sensational hat-trick against Zimbabwe. If both these bowlers execute and their pace attack stays sharp, Pakistan could prove too strong and hot to handle. Naseem Shah was given an opportunity against Zimbabwe, but will they rope Salman Mirza back in the mix? Or will they go with the same combination? It will depend on what kind of surface Rawalpindi offers this time around. But Pakistan have the luxury of testing their bench strength before the big finale on Sunday. Three of the top four wicket takers in the series are spinners, so one thinks it will be another slowish kind of a wicket where anything above 150 would be a difficult gig to chase. Another blockbuster clash is in the making. Let's hope that it sticks to its billing.