PAK vs SL 3rd T20I Live Score: Pakistan 69/4 after 5 overs chasing 161
The skies over Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium may have been gloomy earlier today, but the fireworks on the ground have been blindingly bright. In a high-stakes, rain-curtailed series decider, the Sri Lankan batters have come out with a singular intention: total domination.
With the series poised at 1-0 in favor of Pakistan, and the second T20I washing out, this third and final encounter has been reduced to a high-octane 12-overs-per-side shootout. While Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bowl—hoping to exploit the moisture in the pitch—the decision seems to have backfired spectacularly as the hosts have turned the match into a run-fest.
As the game stands at 5 overs, Pakistan has reached to 69/4.
The 12-Over Blitz: A T10 Mindset in T20 Clothing
When match officials confirmed the reduction to 12 overs, the tactical playbook changed instantly. The traditional “settle in and accelerate” approach of T20 cricket was discarded for the “hit out or get out” philosophy of T10 cricket.
Sri Lanka, knowing a loss today hands the series to Pakistan 2-0, played with their backs against the wall. The urgency was visible from the very first ball. The scorecard reading 69/4 in 10.1 overs is a testament to clean hitting and a fearless approach against a formidable SL pace attack.
The wet outfield has certainly played its part. Pakistan’s bowlers, including the usually reliable Naseem Shah and the returning Mohammad Wasim Jnr, have struggled to grip the wet ball, leading to loose deliveries that were mercilessly dispatched to the Dambulla boundaries.
Pakistan’s Bowling Woes: The Struggle for Control
Opting to bowl first in a shortened game is standard logic—you want to know the target. However, the execution from the “Men in Green” has been lacking intensity.
- The Pace Challenge: With the ball skidding on nicely due to the rain, the pace of Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz (spin) has merely provided pace on the ball for the batters to work with.
- Fielding lapses: In wet conditions, ground fielding becomes a nightmare. Several misfields have likely contributed to Sri Lanka’s swelling total, turning singles into doubles and dots into boundaries.
With just under 2 overs remaining in the innings, Pakistan will be desperate to pull things back. Conceding anything over 135 in 12 overs (which would require a run rate of 11.25 to chase) will be a herculean task, even for Pakistan’s depth.
The Playing XIs: A Look at the Matchups
Both teams made strategic calls knowing the weather could interfere.
Pakistan’s Strategy: Pakistan fielded a batting-heavy side, anticipating a chase.
- Openers: The explosive Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan hold the key to the chase.
- Middle Order: Usman Khan and Khawaja Nafay provide the power-hitting needed for this specific 12-over format.
- All-rounders: The team is packed with all-rounders like Shadab Khan and captain Salman Ali Agha, giving them batting depth down to number 8.
Sri Lanka’s Strategy: The hosts needed aggressive intent, and their XI reflects that.
- Top Order: Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are natural stroke players. Their ability to utilize the powerplay (reduced in overs) was crucial.
- The Finisher: Dasun Shanaka (C) and Charith Asalanka are perfectly suited for the death overs, which, in this format, started as early as the 8th over.
- Bowling Strength: Sri Lanka has a varied attack with Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. Their spin wizardry will be the biggest hurdle for Pakistan in the second innings.
Live Action Analysis: The Road Ahead
Current Situation (10.1 Overs): Sri Lanka 121 runs.
If Sri Lanka finishes around the 140-mark, Pakistan will need to pull off one of their highest run-rate chases in history. The pitch is clearly playing well for the batters, but the pressure of a “final” usually does strange things to chasing sides.
What Pakistan Needs to Do:
- Stop the Bleeding: The final 11 balls of the innings must be tight. Yorkers and slower bouncers are the order of the day.
- The Powerplay: In the chase, Saim Ayub cannot afford sighters. He must go airborne from over number one.
- Countering Hasaranga: The wet ball might make it hard for Hasaranga to spin it, but if he finds his length, Pakistan’s middle order will be tested.
What Sri Lanka Needs to Do:
- Finish Strong: Psychologically, crossing 140 gives them a safety net.
- Early Wickets: Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Pathirana (the slinger) will look to target the stumps early.
Series Context: The Final Frontier
This match carries the weight of the tour.
- 1st T20I: Pakistan cruised to a 6-wicket victory, showing superior composure.
- 2nd T20I: A washout denied Sri Lanka a chance to bounce back.
- 3rd T20I: This is the decider. A win for Pakistan cements their dominance in the sub-continent format. A win for Sri Lanka saves face and proves their resilience at home.
The crowd at Dambulla, having waited through the rain delay, is getting their money’s worth. The leather is being smashed to all parts of the ground.
Stay tuned as we head into the final frantic moments of the first innings and the beginning of what promises to be a thrilling chase by Pakistan.
