The series may have been lost but Sri Lanka will be feeling a lot better about themselves following a comprehensive win in the third and final T20I. Kusal Mendis’ 87 off 48 led the way in the chase, as Sri Lanka hunted down Pakistan’s  total of 168 for 8 with 17 balls and eight wickets to spare.

There was the customary fifty-plus score from Sahibzada Farhan but this time Sri Lanka’s bowlers ensured their plans were executed with more precision than had been for much of the tour. This was highlighted by the fact that aside from Farhan, only one other Pakistan batter scored more than 20 – Arafat Minhas with 34.

Dasun Shanaka was the unlikely hero with the ball, picking up figures of 3 for 21, while Vijayakanth Viyaskanth – in for Maheesh Theekshana – too was pivotal in halting the run-scoring during his four overs which went for just 23 and brought about one wicket. There were two wickets apiece too for Eshan Malinga and Nuwan Thushara.

Then with the chase, Lahiru Udara fell early – even though SL opted against a review that would have reprieved him – but after that Kusal put together stands of 59 and 98* with Sineth Jayawardena (38 off 26) and then Kamindu Mendis (40 off 27) to see the game to a close with quite some degree of comfort.

It was Farhan once more putting Sri Lanka’s bowlers to the sword as he pummelled seven fours and three sixes across his 76-run, 47-ball innings, but that Sri Lanka still managed to restrict Pakistan to under 170 highlights just how well the Sri Lankan bowlers executed their plans against the rest of the batting.

After yet another quick start from the openers Malinga’s outstanding opening over – the fourth of the inning and a double wicket maiden – brought Sri Lanka right into the contest, as both Fakhar Zaman and Maaz Sadaqat were removed trying to hit out.

This though did not slow down Farhan, as he and Hasan Nawaz struck five boundaries over the next two overs to end the powerplay on 57 for 2. This though was where Sri Lanka put on the squeeze, led by the excellent Viyaskanth.

The 24-year-old legspinner from Jaffna did his chances of more starts no harm at all with a brilliant spell of defensive bowling. On a wicket with good bounce and the ball coming on well, Viyaskanth kept his trajectories flat and speeds consistently between 90-100kph.

It meant runs were being blocked up from one end, a T20 currency that you could argue is more important than wickets. Benefitting from Viyaskanth’s control and defensive aptitude was Shanaka, who himself has been showing increasing bowling nouse as of late. Despite possessing pace in the mid 120s, Shanaka’s variations in pace and length proved frustrating for the Pakistani batters as they time and again failed to get him away for significant runs.

But at the other end Farhan was playing his own game as he proceeded to pretty much bat right through the innings, falling only off the penultimate ball of the innings. While Arafat’s runs were also vital, Farhan was no doubt the difference between Pakistan stumbling to a score below 140 and what they eventually managed.

It’s been a roller coaster couple of months for 21-year-old Sineth Jayawardena. Following an exceptional breakout season in Sri Lanka’s premier domestic T20 tournament, where he struck 372 runs across nine innings to help Tamil Union to the title, he earned a call up to the national side for the Asian Games before making the national side proper for the tour of Pakistan.

But it hasn’t been his batting that initially caught the eye; his dropped catch off Farhan proved to be pivotal sliding doors moment in the second game, and in this game it was his over-exuberant throw to the keeper that meant Sri Lanka missed out on a crucial run-out chance of Arafat just as he had come to the crease. That Arafat proceeded to crack 34 off 20 from then on, was the proverbial salt in the wounds.

Jayawardena’s inexperience was then further highlighted when his opening partner Lahiru Udara was trapped lbw by a booming in swinger from Imran Randhawa, only for him to opt against a review presumably on the advice of his partner. Replays showed that the impact had been outside off. Was Jayawardena tentative in pushing for a review owing to his earlier lapses? Perhaps.

But the flip side of the unpolished nature of his game – rough edges that can be only sharpened with game time – was on full display with the bat. His 26-ball stay fetched five fours and two sixes, and while there were 13 dot balls, nearly all of those were in service of an attacking shot of some sort. It was a showcase of unbridled intent.

Gary Kirsten spoke before the game about the T20 side being in an “exploratory phase” ahead of the next World Cup still two years away. In that sense, in Jayawardena there seems to be a talent well worth exploring, rough edges and all.

Kusal has been key to several of Sri Lanka’s wins, and it’s no surprise that in the first two games, Kusal falling cheaply meant they struggled with the bat.

Here though, after a subdued start where Kusal deferred to the rawer Jayawardena, he grew into his innings and by the end of the chase was striking at a rate above 180. Alongside him, Kamindu provided an ideal foil with his strike rotation – he faced just four dot deliveries across his 27-ball innings.

It would not be wrong for Sri Lanka to be worried about their over-reliance on their skipper, but in the absence of other star man Pathum Nissanka, the likes of Jayawardena and Kamindu stepping up are definitely promising signs for the future.

Scores:
Sri Lanka 172 for 2 in 17.1 overs (Sineth Jayawardena 38, Kusal Mendis 87*, Kamindu Mendis 40*; Mohammad  Imran 1-31, Arafat Minhas 1-26) beat Pakistan 168 for 8 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 76, Fakhar Zaman 12, Hasan Nawaz 16, Abdul Samad 15, Arafat Minhas 34*; Nuwan Thushara 2-38, Eshan Malinga 2-38, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth 1-23, Dasun Shanaka 3-21) by eight wickets

[Cricinfo]

Pathum Nissanka’s return to the red-ball fold provides a downtrodden Sri Lanka with a timely boost, while debuts are also in the offing for wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara and seamer Eshan Malinga after both were named in Sri Lanka’s 15-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan.

The 22-year-old Bandara is tipped to make the playing XI following Kusal Mendis’ promotion to captain, with the longtime Test keeper now likely to play solely as a specialist batter. Malinga’s inclusion is less certain, with Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka – who returns to the squad having been omitted from the one named for the second Test against India – all in line to make up Sri Lanka’s pace contingent. Dinesh Chandimal, who missed the second India Test with an injury, is also in the squad.

Making way are Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige – both of whom had drafted in for the second Test against India – as well as Lahiru Udara, Niroshan Dickwella and Vishwa Fernando.

Malinga’s inclusion comes as Sri Lanka’s red-ball fast-bowling stocks had been waning. Former skipper Dhananjaya, who has been retained in the squad, had been vocal during the India tour of Sri Lanka’s need for more express seamers in the playing XI – aside from Lahiru Kumara, who is capable of clocking speeds in the 140kph range, most other options tend to veer around the low 130s. Malinga is certainly capable of matching Kumara on the speed gun, and that could point towards a potential first Test cap.

Bandara has been a player of genuine promise since making his debut in 2022, with his 31 first-class matches fetching 2239 runs at an average 65.85. There had been a clamour among fans for The Colombo CC keeper to be included in the squad to face India, but that spot was eventually taken by Dickwella.

The rest of the squad pans out as expected, with Nissanka’s return the headline. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who made his debut earlier this year against India, retains his place ahead of the more experienced Udara. However if Bandara does take up wicketkeeping duties as expected, it Dhananjaya could be the odd man out, with Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha and Kusal Mendis all assured a spot in the playing XI. Sri Lanka have two spin bowling options in Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha.

The first Test will take place in Rawalpindi on November 9.

Sri Lanka squad for Pakistan Tests

Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis (capt), Dhananjaya De Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga

[Cricinfo]

Former Zimbabwe  fast bowler and umpire Sarah Dambanevana passed away in Harare on Monday. She was 36.

A Zimbabwe Cricket release said Dambanevana was in hospital receiving care since undergoing a medical procedure in March.

Her senior international umpiring career began on 2 September 2023, and she went on to officiate at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE and the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, where she was part of the tournament’s historic all-female panel of match officials.

Prior to that, Dambanevana officiated in the final between India and England at the 2023 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, becoming the first Zimbabwean woman to umpire a World Cup final.

Overall, she officiated in 63 senior internationals, comprising 42 women’s T20Is, 11 women’s ODIs and 10 men’s T20Is, alongside her assignments in domestic cricket and global youth tournaments.

Dambanevana also represented Zimbabwe as a player between 2009 and 2014, including at the World Cup Qualifier in 2011. She joined the ICC development panel of umpires in 2022.

“Sarah served Zimbabwe with distinction, first as a player and then as an umpire whose ability earned her a place on the world stage,” ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said. “Watching her stand in a World Cup final was a moment of immense pride for our cricket community and our country. She showed young Zimbabwean women that they belong at the highest levels of the game, including in roles where opportunities had long been limited.

“Through her achievements, she opened doors and gave others the confidence to pursue their own ambitions. We will remember her dedication, her professionalism and her willingness to help others grow. Her passing leaves a painful void in our cricket family, but the example she set will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.”

(Cricinfo)