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Pakistan and Sri Lanka will lock horns in the third and final T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, October 13. While Pakistan have already secured the series with victories in the opening two matches, Sri Lanka will be desperate to bounce back and avoid a 3-0 whitewash.
The hosts won the first T20I by four wickets, with Sahibzada Farhan smashing 89 off 53 balls. Pakistan then produced a dominant performance in the second match, posting 215/3 before bowling Sri Lanka out of contention with an 82-run victory. Maaz Sadaqat’s explosive 96 and Muhammad Imran Randhawa’s three-wicket haul proved decisive.
With Pakistan aiming to complete a clean sweep and Sri Lanka looking to finish the series on a positive note, several individual contests could shape the outcome. Here are the top three player battles to watch out for in the third T20I.
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan has been one of the standout performers of the series. He scored 89 in the opening T20I before following it up with a fluent 73 off 44 deliveries in the second match. His ability to combine calculated strokeplay with aggressive hitting has given Pakistan a strong platform at the top of the order.
Farhan has shown that he can bat deep while maintaining a healthy scoring rate. Against Sri Lanka, he has also demonstrated the ability to build partnerships and accelerate once settled. His confidence will make him a major threat in the series finale.
Dushmantha Chameera could be one of the bowlers Sri Lanka turn to for an early breakthrough. The right-arm pacer possesses the pace to challenge Farhan and can trouble him with deliveries aimed at the stumps and the channel outside off stump. If Chameera can generate movement with the new ball, he could force the Pakistan skipper to take risks.
The opening overs will be crucial. Farhan will look to exploit any loose deliveries, while Chameera must avoid allowing him to settle into another commanding innings. If Sri Lanka can dismiss the captain early, they could prevent Pakistan from building another imposing total.
Maaz Sadaqat has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most exciting performers in the series. After scoring a half-century on debut in the first T20I, the left-handed batter came close to a maiden international century in the second match, smashing 96 off 51 balls with six fours and seven sixes. His fearless approach helped Pakistan reach 215/3, their highest T20I total on home soil.
Sadaqat’s ability to use his feet, clear the boundary and find gaps makes him dangerous against both pace and spin. Once he gets going, he can change the complexion of an innings within a few overs. Sri Lanka will need a clear plan to prevent him from dominating the middle overs.
Maheesh Theekshana could be central to that strategy. The mystery spinner has the variations to challenge aggressive left-handers, particularly when he varies his pace and changes his length. However, he will need to be precise, as Sadaqat has already shown that he is prepared to attack spin rather than simply defend against it.
The contest could come down to Theekshana’s ability to disguise his deliveries and Sadaqat’s judgement when using his feet. If the spinner can force a mistimed shot, Sri Lanka may find a way to halt Pakistan’s scoring momentum. If Sadaqat wins the battle again, the hosts could post another formidable total.
Dasun Shanaka remains one of Sri Lanka’s most dangerous batting options in the shortest format. The all-rounder can accelerate rapidly and is capable of changing a match with a short, explosive innings. His power-hitting will be particularly important if Sri Lanka need to recover from early wickets or lift the scoring rate in the final overs.
However, Shanaka will face a significant challenge against Muhammad Imran Randhawa, who delivered an outstanding spell in the second T20I. The Pakistan pacer claimed three wickets for just 11 runs in four overs, dismantling Sri Lanka’s middle order and preventing the visitors from building a meaningful chase.
Randhawa’s disciplined line and length could make scoring difficult for Shanaka, especially if the bowler targets the stumps and mixes his pace effectively. Shanaka, in turn, will look to disrupt the rhythm by attacking deliveries in his hitting arc and forcing Pakistan to change their plans.
This battle could be particularly important during the middle overs. If Shanaka manages to build an innings, Sri Lanka may have the firepower to challenge Pakistan. If Randhawa dismisses him cheaply, the visitors could once again struggle to keep up with the required rate.
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