Kusal Mendis Leads Sri Lanka To Consolation Win As Pakistan Clinches Series

Kusal Mendis struck an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls, including nine fours, as Sri Lanka won the third and final T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium by eight wickets on 13 October 2026. The innings made him Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in T20I history and earned him the Player of the Match award.

Kusal Mendis Powers Sri Lanka to an Eight-Wicket Win

Sri Lanka chased down Pakistan’s 168-8 with 172-2 in 17.1 overs, finishing with 17 balls to spare. Kamindu Mendis supported with an unbeaten 40 off 27 balls, and the pair shared an unbroken 98-run third-wicket partnership.

Pakistan Take the Series 2-1

Despite the defeat, Pakistan completed a 2-1 series victory at home, which keeps the early momentum of the new T20I captaincy intact. Dasun Shanaka took 3-21 in four overs to restrict the hosts, but Pakistan had already secured the series in the earlier matches.

Captain Sahibzada Farhan top-scored for Pakistan with 76 off 47 balls and was named Player of the Series. His consistent form at the top of the order gave the side a strong platform throughout the three matches.

A Busy Home Season Ahead

The series win sets a positive tone for a demanding schedule, with the Pakistan Cricket Board having named officials for 12 men’s internationals between 9 October and 21 November, as covered in Pakistan cricket match officials announced. Home conditions and growing depth in the squad give Pakistan a solid base for that run of fixtures.

Lessons from the final match, particularly in defending a modest total, can be addressed before the next assignments. Steady selection and clear roles would help the young group convert early series success into lasting consistency.

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