RAWALPINDI: A confident Pakistan team will take on Sri Lanka in the final of the tri-nation T20 series here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The Salman Ali Agha-led hosts, who won three of the four round-robin matches at the event that also featured Zimbabwe, will look to continue their good show that was soured by a six-run loss to Sri Lanka on Thursday night at the same venue.
Before the tri-series, Pakistan defeated South Africa 2-1 in a three-match home T20 series held in Rawalpindi and Lahore. This series win showed some resurrection for the green shirts who lost the T20 Asia Cup decider to arch-rivals India in Dubai in September.
Chasing 185 on Thursday under the lights, Pakistan finished at 178-7 with number four batsman Salman remaining unbeaten on 63 off 44 balls. Salman had useful partnerships with Usman Khan (33 off 23) and then Mohammad Nawaz (27 off 16), but their efforts proved insufficient in the end.
With just over two months left for the 2026 T20 World Cup, both Pakistan and Sri Lanka will do their best to leave the Rawalpindi field with the tri-series trophy.
Speaking after Thursday’s match, Salman lamented the poor start to the chase which he believes led to the narrow defeat.
“From 40 something to four you don’t win [T20] “Games often chase more than 180s,” Salman said during the post-match chat.
“We had the game [in our hands] But we couldn’t finish it.”
Replying to a question, the Pakistani captain said the target was achievable.
“It was an achievable target, it was a good pitch and, especially when the dew came, it was always achievable. But we didn’t start well with the bat, losing too many wickets in the powerplay,” he said.
“The same thing happened with [our start in] In bowling, we conceded 50-60 runs in the powerplay.
He continued: “In T20s, if you don’t start well, in batting or bowling, you will always be chasing the game.”
Responding to a question about his own show with the bat in Thursday’s match, Salman said: “I would have been happier if I had finished the game.”
Meanwhile, opener Saim Ayub was optimistic about Pakistan’s victory in the important final.
“Looking at our team’s morale, we will win the final,” Saim told reporters after the final match of the league phase.
Responding to a question, the young player, who failed to score big goals in the four league matches of the tri-series, said he wanted to play an important role in the decisive match.
“I would like to play a lot of innings for my team to win the final,” the left-handed batsman, known for his uniquely belligerent strokes in white-ball cricket, said without saying anything else.
Responding to a question about Pakistan’s preparations ahead of the World Cup, Saim said they were improving.
“Looking at the three areas [bowling, batting, fielding] of the team, our graph shows improvement over the last two or three months, which we discuss together with the coaches after each outing. Execution in all areas is improving.
“[Therefore] We, the players of the team, have high hopes of performing very well in the World Cup.”
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said he liked the way his team played, as they qualified for the final of the three series with consecutive wins against Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
“Really happy [with this victory]. I mentioned it the other day [before the last two tri-series matches] “We shouldn’t act like this,” the Sri Lanka captain said in his post-match comments.
“So I feel absolutely proud and happy with how I recovered. [in the tri-series]the energy, the attitude they showed on the field, particularly today. Everyone contributed [towards the victory].”
Replying to a question, Shanaka said opener Kamil Mishara had shown his ability with the bat. The left-hander smashed a 48-ball 76 on Thursday to ensure Sri Lanka posted a total beyond the hosts’ reach.
“Mishara showed his capabilities today. After starting from the ODIs, he bowled his wicket, had a couple of conversations with senior players and coaches to ensure he got a big score today,” the captain said.
“[Moreover] Janith Liyanage (24 not out) and Kusal Mendis (40) also contributed.”
He continued: “When it comes to bowling [pacer] Dushmantha Chameera has always been world class and there are also [leg-spinner] Wanindu Hasaranga. So, it was a complete team performance.
“And now I’m looking forward to the final.”
Chameera went 4-20 to earn player of the match honors on Thursday.
Published in Dawn, November 29, 2025
