Pakistan wrapped up the ODI series in style, defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets and completing a dominant 3-0 clean sweep. The win was shaped by Mohammad Wasim’s sharp three-wicket burst and a composed half-century from Fakhar Zaman, which made the 211-run chase look almost effortless.
Sri Lanka showed flashes of promise, but once again lacked the consistency to challenge Pakistan’s control of the match.
Pakistan 215 for 4 (Rizwan 61*, Zaman 55, Vandersay 3-42) beat Sri Lanka 211 (Samarawickrama 48, Kusal Mendis 34, Wasim 3-47) by six wickets
Sri Lanka Start Fast — But Collapse Follows
For a brief moment, Sri Lanka dreamed of 300+.
Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara began with freedom, timing the ball superbly and racing to 50 inside the first eight overs. Pakistan’s bowlers felt the pressure early, especially Shaheen Afridi, who was struck for multiple boundaries.
But as always, wickets change the script.
An inside edge from Nissanka shattered the stumps. Wasim then used extra bounce to remove Mishara, and suddenly Sri Lanka’s early fireworks were extinguished.
Middle Overs: Pakistan Take Full Control
Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama tried to rebuild, but Pakistan’s bowlers had tightened the screws.
The pitch was improving, and the batters needed to accelerate — but they couldn’t.
Enter Faisal Akram, the young left-arm wristspinner.
He bowled with brilliant control, variation, and confidence.
He beat Samarawickrama in the air, stitched pressure through dot balls, and forced Sri Lanka into survival mode.
Runs dried up.
The game slowed.
Sri Lanka slipped.
Wasim returned and struck a huge blow, yorking Kusal Mendis at a crucial moment. Akram followed with a double strike, cleaning up Samarawickrama and removing Kamindu Mendis with a soft return catch.
The innings unraveled.
A Lone Fight — But 211 Was Never Enough
Youngster Pavan Rathnayake showed exceptional calm, hitting the shot of the day — a stunning back-foot punch for six — and guiding the tail smartly.
He made 32, but lacked support.
Sri Lanka ended on 211, a total that never threatened Pakistan on this wicket.
Fakhar Zaman Takes Charge in the Chase
The chase began shakily with Haseebullah Khan falling for a 12-ball duck.
Enter Fakhar Zaman, and the momentum instantly shifted.
Zaman attacked early, using powerplay gaps, freeing his arms, and racing ahead.
Babar Azam joined him, oozing timing and confidence as Pakistan cruised through the opening 15 overs.
Zaman looked unstoppable until a stunning diving catch in the deep dismissed him. Soon after, Jeffrey Vandersay trapped Babar with a brilliant googly — suddenly giving Sri Lanka hope.
Sri Lanka Fight Back Briefly
With three quick wickets falling, the match slowed.
The required runs were still manageable, but Sri Lanka sensed an opening. Vandersay bowled beautifully, beating batters both in the air and off the pitch.
Pakistan needed calm heads.
Rizwan and Talat Seal the Series
Mohammad Rizwan and Hussain Talat did exactly what the match required — no panic, no rush, no risks.
They soaked pressure.
They batted deep.
They killed any chance of a Sri Lankan comeback.
With only steady accumulation needed, Pakistan inched closer over the next ten overs, denying Sri Lanka any breakthroughs.
Talat survived a close lbw — ball-tracking saving him — and with that, Sri Lanka’s last hope faded.
Pakistan crossed the finish line with 5.2 overs left, sealing a smooth and controlled victory.
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