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| Muhammad Nawaz won player of the series award |
Pakistan claimed a dominant victory in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, thanks to a brilliant all-round bowling performance and a calm chase led by Babar Azam and Saim Ayub. What looked like a competitive match quickly turned into a one-sided affair as Sri Lanka collapsed dramatically, losing nine wickets for just 30 runs. With the bowlers setting the tone and the batters keeping their composure, Pakistan lifted the tri-series trophy in style..
A Final Full of Drama – But Only for One Team
The tri-series final was expected to be a close contest. Both teams had moments of brilliance in the group stage, and Sri Lanka seemed confident after posting competitive totals in previous matches. However, in the biggest match of the series, Pakistan’s bowlers stepped up brilliantly and completely dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
Sri Lanka started well, reached 84 for 1, and seemed ready to post a strong total. But the moment Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Kusal Mendis, everything changed. From that point onwards, Sri Lanka suffered one of their worst collapses in T20I cricket, losing nine wickets for just 30 runs and getting bowled out for 114.
Pakistan chased the total comfortably, finishing the match in the 19th over with six wickets in hand. The chase wasn’t explosive, but it was smart, calm, and controlled — exactly what the situation demanded.
Pakistan’s Bowling Dominates the Final
Bowling wins matches, and Pakistan proved this once again. The bowling attack was disciplined, aggressive, and extremely effective. Every bowler played their role perfectly, but the stars of the show were Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Abrar Ahmed.
⭐ Mohammad Nawaz – 3 for 17 (Match-Changing Spell)
Nawaz completely shifted the momentum of the match with his tight lines and clever variations. His dismissal of Kusal Mendis opened the door for Pakistan, and he didn’t stop there. He later removed Janith Liyanage and Wanindu Hasaranga, breaking the spine of the Sri Lankan middle order.
Nawaz’s bowling was the turning point of the final. At one stage, Sri Lanka looked set to score 160+, but Nawaz created pressure, took wickets, and forced the batting collapse.
⭐ Shaheen Shah Afridi – 3 for 18 (Deadly in the Final Overs)
Shaheen Afridi once again proved why he is one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. His pace, swing, and accuracy were too much for Sri Lanka to handle. Afridi cleaned up the lower order quickly, ensuring Sri Lanka could never recover.
He delivered in the powerplay and then returned later to finish the innings beautifully, making the chase easier for Pakistan.
⭐ Abrar Ahmed – 2 for 18 (Mystery Spin at Its Best)
Abrar Ahmed added another layer of pressure, picking up two important wickets — Kusal Perera and Pavan Rathnayake — in quick succession. His variations confused the batters, and he helped tighten the grip that Nawaz had initiated.
With Nawaz and Abrar bowling in tandem, Sri Lanka simply couldn’t find answers.
Sri Lanka’s Collapse — From 84/1 to 114 All Out
Sri Lanka’s collapse will be talked about for a long time. They were cruising comfortably at 84 for 1 in the 11th over. They had wickets in hand, momentum on their side, and a well-set batter in Kamil Mishara at the crease. Everything pointed toward a total above 150.
But T20 cricket is unpredictable, and Pakistan took full advantage of every mistake Sri Lanka made.
What Went Wrong for Sri Lanka?
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Loss of patience: Batters tried to hit big shots even when it wasn’t required.
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Spin struggle: Nawaz and Abrar exposed technical weaknesses.
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Too many soft dismissals: Catches in the deep, mistimed shots, and poor decision-making.
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Zero partnerships: After the second-wicket stand, Sri Lanka had seven partnerships worth six runs or less — a shocking statistic in any format.
They lost nine wickets for 30 runs — one of the worst T20I collapses in Sri Lankan cricket history.
Kamil Mishara – A Lone Warrior for Sri Lanka
One of the few positives for Sri Lanka was Kamil Mishara’s 59 off 47 balls. He showed maturity, confidence, and excellent shot selection. His strong hitting inside the powerplay gave Sri Lanka momentum early on, and his ability to rotate strike later was impressive.
Mishara hit four powerful sixes, mostly toward long-off and deep midwicket. This was his second consecutive half-century, and Sri Lanka will definitely continue backing him in the future.
However, even his brilliant innings wasn’t enough to save Sri Lanka from their dramatic collapse.
Pakistan's Calm and Professional Chase
Chasing 115 in a final can sometimes become tricky. Pressure can create panic, especially if early wickets fall. But Pakistan handled the chase like a seasoned unit.
Openers Give a Steady Start
Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub started carefully, adding 46 runs for the first wicket. They didn’t take unnecessary risks and focused on strike rotation, which was exactly what the chase needed.
Saim Ayub – Stylish 36
Ayub looked smooth and confident, playing elegant strokes all around the ground. His footwork against the spinners and timing against pace showed how quickly he is growing as a T20I opener.
Babar Azam – 37 Off 34*
Babar Azam played the perfect anchor role. His unbeaten 37 wasn’t flashy, but it was extremely valuable. He stayed calm, built partnerships, and ensured the chase never became tense.
Babar also had a brilliant day in the field. His catches to dismiss Mendis, Mishara, and Rathnayake were exceptional and highlighted his growing confidence and fitness.
This match added another performance to Babar’s consistent run, showing that he is regaining his best form.
Fielding – An Underrated Highlight for Pakistan
Pakistan’s fielding has often been criticized, but in the final, the team looked sharp and focused. Babar Azam took three excellent catches, and the overall energy on the field helped create pressure on Sri Lanka.
Sharp catching and quick ground fielding saved crucial runs and contributed directly to the batting collapse.
Why Pakistan Deserved to Win
Pakistan were simply the better team in every aspect:
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Bowlers dominated from start to finish
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Spinners created pressure and took key wickets
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Fielding was energetic and disciplined
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Batting was sensible, calm, and controlled
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Game awareness was excellent
This was a complete team performance, showing Pakistan’s strength in T20 cricket and their ability to rise in big moments.
Final Thoughts – A Strong Statement Before Future T20 Events
Pakistan’s victory in the tri-series final is a huge confidence booster. The bowling unit looks lethal with Shaheen, Nawaz, Abrar, and the supporting cast. The batting lineup, led by Babar and Ayub, looks calm and stable.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will need to fix their batting issues quickly. A collapse like this can hurt the team mentally, but they have enough young talent to recover.
For now, Pakistan fans can celebrate a well-deserved triumph and look forward to more strong performances in upcoming T20 series and tournaments.
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