Pakistan Cruise to Victory After Bowlers Choke Sri Lanka in Tri-Series Clash

Pakistan eased to a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the ongoing tri-series, comfortably chasing a modest target of 129 on a pitch that offered little assistance to batters. They reached 131 for 3 in just 15.3 overs, a performance that lifted them to the top of the tournament table with two wins from two. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, remain winless and carry the worst net run rate after two heavy defeats.

Sri Lanka’s innings never found sustained momentum. After being put under pressure early, they managed only 128 for 7. Pakistan’s seamers controlled the powerplay, and Mohammad Nawaz’s superb middle-overs spell dismantled the batting order. Nawaz bowled four overs on the trot, claiming 3 for 16 without conceding a single boundary. His third over was the highlight of the innings: he breached Kusal Perera’s defence with a turning delivery and then dismissed captain Dasun Shanaka with a straighter one. He later benefitted from a brilliant boundary catch by Mohammad Wasim Jr to remove Kusal Mendis.

Sri Lanka’s brief bright spark came from Kamil Mishara, who raced to 22 off 11 before misreading a Faheem Ashraf slower ball and holing out. A poor run-out of Mendis in the next over further stalled the innings. Janith Liyanage’s unbeaten 41 offered some stability but came at a strike rate of just 108, underlining the team’s struggle on a challenging surface.

Pakistan’s chase, in contrast, was anchored by a fluent and commanding knock from Sahibzada Farhan. Opening the innings, Farhan struck an unbeaten 80 off 45 balls, the only innings in the match played with real freedom. He smashed five fours and five sixes, dominating the legspinners in particular — taking 23 off Wanindu Hasaranga and 21 off debutant V Viyaskanth. His 69-run stand with Babar Azam effectively sealed the result, and he finished the match with a straight-driven boundary.

The match also marked a historic moment for Sri Lankan cricket. V Viyaskanth became the first born-and-raised player from the Jaffna peninsula to feature in a televised international match. The 22-year-old legspinner, who previously appeared only in the Asian Games squad, returned figures of 0 for 28 from his four overs on debut at this level.

Pakistan now look well-placed to reach the final, while Sri Lanka face an uphill battle to stay alive in the tri-series.