Kusal Mendis 87* hands Sri Lanka consolation win

Wednesday, 14 October 2026 - 13:05 | Views - 53

The series may have been lost but Sri Lanka will be feeling a lot better about themselves following a comprehensive win in the third and final T20I. Kusal Mendis' 87 off 48 led the way in the chase, as Sri Lanka hunted down Pakistan's total of 168 for 8 with 17 balls and eight wickets to spare.

There was the customary fifty-plus score from Sahibzada Farhan but this time Sri Lanka's bowlers ensured their plans were executed with more precision than had been for much of the tour. This was highlighted by the fact that aside from Farhan, only one other Pakistan batter scored more than 20 - Arafat Minhas with 34.

Dasun Shanaka was the unlikely hero with the ball, picking up figures of 3 for 21, while Vijayakanth Viyaskanth - in for Maheesh Theekshana - too was pivotal in halting the run-scoring during his four overs which went for just 23 and brought about one wicket. There were two wickets apiece too for Eshan Malinga and Nuwan Thushara.

Then with the chase, Lahiru Udara fell early - even though SL opted against a review that would have reprieved him - but after that Kusal put together stands of 59 and 98* with Sineth Jayawardena (38 off 26) and then Kamindu Mendis (40 off 27) to see the game to a close with quite some degree of comfort.

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