Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Highlights, T20I Tri-Series 2025 Final: Pak Beat SL By 6 Wickets

Salman Agha collects the trophy from the dignitaries and takes it to his teammates and the support staff as they pose for the cameras. This brings 2025 to a close for both sides, and their first assignment of the new year will once again be against each other. Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka for a T20I series in early 2026 as part of their preparations for the T20 World Cup. The international action for these two teams may be over for now, but there is still plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks. The Ashes, the white ball leg of South Africa’s tour of India, the Bangladesh vs Ireland T20I series and the New Zealand vs West Indies Test series are all lined up to keep you engaged. You can switch tabs and stay up to date as the action continues around the world. Until next time, take care and goodbye!

Pakistan's skipper Salman Agha says that it was a great performance from the team. Adds that they have been playing good cricket recently and did well against South Africa and now Sri Lanka. Mentions that before the World Cup, you have to keep your 15 ready and also test your bench strength in case of an injury, and that's why they tried to give opportunities to everyone. Says that every player knows their role and they are in a good space as a team. Ends by saying that they are ready for the big event, but they still have 6 games before that, and if they have to change anything, they will look into it.

The captain of Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka says they expected the wicket to play better than it did, but credits Pakistan for bowling well. He adds that despite the conditions, his side could have capitalised on the start they had and been smarter in the way they took their chances against the spinners. Believes this loss is part of their learning process and hopes they can correct these mistakes as they prepare for the World Cup. Notes that the players showed good intent in the field, which he sees as a big positive. Shanaka insists the team has quality and expresses confidence in the group going forward. He says they enjoyed their time in Pakistan as a team and thanks the security forces and the PCB for ensuring their safety. He concludes by saying he would love to come back to Pakistan again.

Mohammad Nawaz is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliance with the ball in the final. He had figures of 3 for 17 from his 4 overs. Nawaz is also the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for picking 10 wickets across 5 games. Nawaz says that he is happy with his form. Adds that delivering whenever the team needs is always a big positive for any player and he is enjoying his cricket. Mentions that he tries to listen to his coaches and focus on the basics. Says that as a finger spinner you don't have much options, but he tries to change his game according to the situation and conditions whether he is batting or bowling.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier, Sri Lanka were asked to bat first on a wicket that offered more turn than any other surface in this series. Pathum Nissanka fell early, but Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis provided a steady start for the islanders. However, once the spinners came on, the boundaries dried up, and the Sri Lankan pair felt the need to accelerate. Both fell in an attempt to do so, and from there, it all went downhill. None of the incoming batters showed patience as Sri Lanka lost 7 wickets for 11 runs to be folded for 114. The spinners ruled the roost for Pakistan, with 12 overs of spin accounting for 6 wickets while conceding just 52 runs. Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony...

Sri Lanka were in search of early wickets to give themselves any chance, but it never materialised. While the pacers kept things tight and made it difficult for the Pakistani openers to score freely, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were inconsistent with the ball and leaked runs. Sahibzada Farhan fell while trying to take an undue risk, but contributions from Saim Ayub and Babar Azam took Pakistan past the finishing line, with Babar ensuring he batted through even as wickets fell around him. Sri Lanka needed those breakthroughs to come in clusters and much earlier if they were to make a contest of it.

Not the most fluent chase you will see, but Pakistan get the job done to clinch the tri series. It was a win set up by their bowlers, with Sri Lanka’s self-implosion playing a significant part as well. Dasun Shanaka's side will be left ruing the fact that they were well placed at 84/1 but ended up with just 114. Had they assessed the conditions better instead of aiming too high, which their batting approach in the second half of their effort suggested, the outcome could have been very different.

FOUR! Babar Azam finishes things off in style! Dushmantha Chameera lands this short of a length and outside off. Babar accepts the width on offer and plays a cracking cut shot to the deep point fence for a boundary. PAKISTAN WIN THE FINAL BY 6 WICKETS.

SCORES LEVEL! Hard length and around off, Usman Khan guides it towards third man for a run.

Back of a length and on off, Usman Khan gets behind the line and blocks it out.

Good length and on leg, Babar Azam glances it towards fine leg for a single. Pakistan need just 2 runs to win now.

Flighted, full and on of, Babar Azam drives it through covers for a run.

FOUR! Put away with ease! A half tracker and on middle. Babar Azam crouches a bit low and pulls it with disdain to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. Pakistan just one hit away from the win now.

Drags his length back and around off, Usman Khan slaps it to long off for another run.

Short again and on off, Babar Azam rocks back and swats it to long on for a run.

Short and around off, Usman Khan punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Usman Khan walks in next.

OUT! TAKEN! Pavan Rathnayake gets his second T20I wicket as well. He tosses it up, full and around off, turns it away. Fakhar Zaman goes down for the slog sweep but only manages to get a top edge. The ball goes in the air, and Dasun Shanaka at short cover settles under it to take a nice catch. Fakhar still hasn't hit a six against Sri Lanka in T20Is, and maybe that was playing in his mind with the game all but wrapped up.

Another short ball, on off, Fakhar Zaman stays back and stabs it through extra cover for one. Pakistan need 11 runs in 18 balls.