Rawalpindi witnessed a commanding display of T20 cricket on November 22, 2025, as Pakistan continued their dominant run in the Tri-Nation Series, securing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. This pivotal match, the third of the series, showcased Pakistan’s depth and resilience, particularly with a new captain at the helm, while Sri Lanka grappled with inconsistent performances. The hosts’ victory was largely orchestrated by an exceptional unbeaten knock from Sahibzada Farhan, whose aggressive batting left the Sri Lankan bowlers searching for answers.

Toss Decisions and Unexpected Shifts

The match began with Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka winning the toss and opting to bowl, a decision often favoured in T20 cricket under lights, especially on pitches expected to be good for hitting. However, the early developments for Pakistan were headlined by an unforeseen setback. Star pacer Shaheen Afridi was ruled out due to a foot injury sustained during training, a significant blow to Pakistan’s bowling attack. In his absence, Mohammad Wasim Jr. stepped into the playing XI, bringing his all-round capabilities to the fore. More notably, the captaincy mantle fell upon Salman Ali Agha, who led the team in Afridi’s stead – a crucial test of leadership under pressure. Sri Lanka, on their part, introduced a fresh face to the international stage, handing a debut to leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, signalling an intent to explore new talent and bolster their spin options.

Sri Lanka’s Batting Struggles and Pakistan’s Clinical Bowling

Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first, aimed at exploiting potential early movement or dew, paradoxically highlighted their batting frailties. Their innings never truly gained momentum, as they were restricted to a modest 128 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The original article notes that the pitch was ‘expected to be good for hitting’, making Sri Lanka’s low total even more concerning. The analysis reveals a combination of ‘poor judgment’ from the Sri Lankan batsmen and ‘excellent, disciplined bowling’ from Pakistan. Mohammad Nawaz emerged as the wrecker-in-chief, claiming ‘three crucial wickets’ and demonstrating his value as a left-arm orthodox spinner. Pakistan’s bowlers, supported by a ‘nearly perfect’ fielding effort, maintained relentless pressure, ensuring wickets fell at regular intervals. While the specific details of ‘Janith’s good score’ are limited in the original content, it is clear that it was insufficient to prevent a collapse, leaving Sri Lanka with a well below-par total that was always going to be challenging to defend.

Sahibzada Farhan’s Masterclass Steers Pakistan Home

Chasing 129 for victory, Pakistan’s innings was a testament to calculated aggression and individual brilliance, primarily spearheaded by Sahibzada Farhan. From the outset, Farhan displayed ‘brilliant form’, settling quickly and punishing anything loose. His half-century came ‘in a flash’, underlining his aggressive intent and confidence. As the target drew nearer, Farhan ‘grew even more aggressive’, taking the game away from Sri Lanka with powerful hitting. While the opening partnership saw Saim Ayub fall to a run-out engineered by Dasun Shanaka, the early damage from Sri Lanka’s ‘undisciplined bowling’ had already been done. Eshan Malinga, in particular, was singled out for giving away ‘too many easy runs’ to the opening pair, easing the pressure on Pakistan’s chase.

Farhan’s performance was not just about quick runs; it was about authority. He utterly ‘overpowered the Sri Lankan bowlers’, showcasing a range of strokes that exploited gaps and cleared the boundary with ease. The original article highlights a magnificent ‘SIX!’ off Dushmantha Chameera as the ‘shot of the night’, epitomizing Farhan’s confidence and ability to dominate.

A Brief Wobble, Pakistan’s Resilience, and Tri-Series Implications

Despite Farhan’s heroics, Pakistan’s chase was not entirely without drama. A ‘brief slowdown’ occurred due to the efforts of Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers, Wanindu Hasaranga and debutant Vijayakanth Viyaskanth. During this period, even Pakistan’s experienced anchor, Babar Azam, was ‘struggling to score’, suggesting the spinners found some rhythm and control. The tension peaked in the 14th over when Dushmantha Chameera, displaying a moment of individual brilliance, dismissed both Babar Azam and acting captain Salman Ali Agha in ‘consecutive deliveries’. Azam was bowled (‘TIMBER!’) attempting to drive, while Agha fell LBW without ‘footwork’, putting Chameera on a hat-trick. This ‘moment of tension’ briefly threatened to derail Pakistan’s innings.

However, the ‘wobble was minor’ thanks to Farhan’s composure and continued aggression. He remained undeterred, ensuring Pakistan got ‘over the line without any hiccups’. Usman Khan, joining Farhan at the crease, calmly handled the hat-trick delivery and contributed to the finishing touches. The match concluded emphatically with Farhan hitting a ‘FOUR!’ off Eshan Malinga, sealing a decisive seven-wicket victory with 27 balls to spare.

This victory marks ‘back-to-back victories’ for Pakistan in the Tri-Nation Series, solidifying their position and momentum. It underscores the team’s ability to adapt to changes, such as a stand-in captain, and rely on emerging talents like Sahibzada Farhan to deliver under pressure. For Sri Lanka, the match highlighted critical areas for improvement, particularly their inconsistent batting and often ‘undisciplined bowling’. While the debut of Vijayakanth Viyaskanth offered a glimpse of potential, the overall team performance needs significant introspection if they are to challenge for the series title. Pakistan’s clinical performance, anchored by Farhan’s exceptional 80* off 45 balls and Nawaz’s crucial three-wicket haul, sends a strong message to their competitors in this Tri-Nation series.

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