Kusal Mendis' unbeaten 87 powers Sri Lanka to consolation T20I win over Pakistan
Synopsis
Kusal Mendis turned in a captain's masterclass — an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls — to pull off a consolation eight-wicket win for Sri Lanka in the third T20I at Rawalpindi. Pakistan still clinched the series 2-1, with Sahibzada Farhan registering three successive half-centuries on his first home stint as skipper. All three sides now gear up for an ODI tri-series from 18 October.
Key Takeaways
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third T20I at Rawalpindi on 13 October 2026 .
Pakistan won the three-match T20I series 2-1 , having taken the first two games.
Captain Kusal Mendis top-scored with an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls (9 fours, 4 sixes), sharing an unbroken 98-run stand with Kamindu Mendis (40 not out).
Sahibzada Farhan scored 76 off 47 balls — his third consecutive half-century of the series and first as Pakistan's home captain.
Dasun Shanaka claimed 3 for 21 to restrict Pakistan to 168/8 .
Pakistan , Sri Lanka , and England will contest an ODI tri-series beginning 18 October in Rawalpindi.
Kusal Mendis struck a match-winning 87 not out off 48 balls and shared an unbroken 98-run third-wicket stand with Kamindu Mendis as Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, 13 October. Despite the consolation victory, Pakistan claimed the series 2-1, having won both earlier matches at the same venue.
Sri Lanka's Chase: Mendis Takes Control
Chasing 169, Sri Lanka made a shaky start, losing Lahiru Udara for just 1 in the second over when Mohammad Imran trapped him leg-before. The visitors steadied through a 59-run second-wicket partnership between Sineth Jayawardena and captain Kusal Mendis, before Arafat Minhas removed Jayawardena for 38 off 26 balls, an innings featuring five fours and two sixes.
That brought Kamindu Mendis to the crease, and the pair never looked back. Kusal reached his half-century off just 30 balls, studded with six fours and one six, before accelerating to an unbeaten 87 laced with nine fours and four sixes. Kamindu Mendis contributed a composed 40 not out off 27 balls as Sri Lanka sealed the win in 17.1 overs, finishing at 172 for 2.
Pakistan's Innings: Farhan Holds the Fort
Asked to bat first, Pakistan posted 168 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Sahibzada Farhan delivered a commanding 76 off 47 balls — his third consecutive half-century of the series and his first as skipper on home soil — featuring seven fours and three sixes. He held the innings together as wickets fell regularly at the other end.
The hosts stumbled early, losing Fakhar Zaman (12) and Maaz Sadaqat (0) in the fourth over to be reduced to 34 for 2. Hasan Nawaz contributed 16 before Pakistan slumped further to 102 for 6 in the 13.4th over, with Khawaja Nafay (3), Mohammad Imran (6), and Abdul Samad (15) all falling cheaply.
A crucial 66-run seventh-wicket stand between Farhan and Arafat Minhas rescued the innings. Minhas remained unbeaten on 34 off 20 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes, before Farhan was dismissed off the penultimate delivery.
Sri Lanka's Bowling Effort
Dasun Shanaka was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers, finishing with exceptional figures of 3 for 21. Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga each claimed two wickets, taking figures of 2 for 38 apiece to restrict Pakistan to a chaseable target.
What's Next: ODI Tri-Series Beckons
The two sides, along with England, will now pivot to an ODI tri-series beginning on Sunday, 18 October, again in Rawalpindi. Farhan's rich vein of form with the bat will be a key talking point heading into the 50-over format, while Sri Lanka will look to convert captain Kusal Mendis' T20I heroics into a full series win.
Brief scores: Pakistan 168/8 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 76, Arafat Minhas 34 not out; Dasun Shanaka 3-21, Nuwan Thushara 2-38, Eshan Malinga 2-38) lost to Sri Lanka 172/2 in 17.1 overs (Kusal Mendis 87 not out, Kamindu Mendis 40 not out, Sineth Jayawardena 38; Mohammad Imran 1-31, Arafat Minhas 1-26) by eight wickets.
Point of View
Sahibzada Farhan's three successive fifties signal a genuine batting find, but the collapse to 102 for 6 against a modest attack underlines a structural middle-order fragility that will be tested harder in the ODI format. With England entering the tri-series mix, both sides will face a sterner examination of their batting depth starting 18 October.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I series?
Pakistan won the three-match T20I series 2-1. They took the first two games at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium before Sri Lanka claimed a consolation eight-wicket victory in the third and final match on 13 October 2026.
How did Kusal Mendis perform in the third T20I?
Kusal Mendis scored an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes, to guide Sri Lanka home in 17.1 overs. He shared an unbroken 98-run third-wicket stand with Kamindu Mendis (40 not out), which proved decisive in the chase.
What did Sahibzada Farhan achieve in this series?
Sahibzada Farhan scored three consecutive half-centuries across the series, including a top score of 76 in the third T20I. It was his first series as Pakistan's captain on home soil, and his consistent batting was the standout individual performance of the three-match rubber.
What is the next series for Pakistan and Sri Lanka?
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England will take part in an ODI tri-series starting on Sunday, 18 October, in Rawalpindi. The tournament follows immediately after the conclusion of the T20I series.
How did Sri Lanka's bowlers perform in the third T20I?
Dasun Shanaka was Sri Lanka's best bowler, taking three wickets for 21 runs to restrict Pakistan to 168 for 8. Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga each picked up two wickets, finishing with identical figures of 2 for 38.
