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Salman Agha collects the trophy from the dignitaries and takes it to his teammates and the support staff as they pose for the cameras. This brings 2025 to a close for both sides, and their first assignment of the new year will once again be against each other. Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka for a T20I series in early 2026 as part of their preparations for the T20 World Cup. The international action for these two teams may be over for now, but there is still plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks. The Ashes, the white ball leg of South Africa’s tour of India, the Bangladesh vs Ireland T20I series and the New Zealand vs West Indies Test series are all lined up to keep you engaged. You can switch tabs and stay up to date as the action continues around the world. Until next time, take care and goodbye!

Pakistan's skipper Salman Agha says that it was a great performance from the team. Adds that they have been playing good cricket recently and did well against South Africa and now Sri Lanka. Mentions that before the World Cup, you have to keep your 15 ready and also test your bench strength in case of an injury, and that's why they tried to give opportunities to everyone. Says that every player knows their role and they are in a good space as a team. Ends by saying that they are ready for the big event, but they still have 6 games before that, and if they have to change anything, they will look into it.

The captain of Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka says they expected the wicket to play better than it did, but credits Pakistan for bowling well. He adds that despite the conditions, his side could have capitalised on the start they had and been smarter in the way they took their chances against the spinners. Believes this loss is part of their learning process and hopes they can correct these mistakes as they prepare for the World Cup. Notes that the players showed good intent in the field, which he sees as a big positive. Shanaka insists the team has quality and expresses confidence in the group going forward. He says they enjoyed their time in Pakistan as a team and thanks the security forces and the PCB for ensuring their safety. He concludes by saying he would love to come back to Pakistan again.

Mohammad Nawaz is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliance with the ball in the final. He had figures of 3 for 17 from his 4 overs. Nawaz is also the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for picking 10 wickets across 5 games. Nawaz says that he is happy with his form. Adds that delivering whenever the team needs is always a big positive for any player and he is enjoying his cricket. Mentions that he tries to listen to his coaches and focus on the basics. Says that as a finger spinner you don't have much options, but he tries to change his game according to the situation and conditions whether he is batting or bowling.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier, Sri Lanka were asked to bat first on a wicket that offered more turn than any other surface in this series. Pathum Nissanka fell early, but Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis provided a steady start for the islanders. However, once the spinners came on, the boundaries dried up, and the Sri Lankan pair felt the need to accelerate. Both fell in an attempt to do so, and from there, it all went downhill. None of the incoming batters showed patience as Sri Lanka lost 7 wickets for 11 runs to be folded for 114. The spinners ruled the roost for Pakistan, with 12 overs of spin accounting for 6 wickets while conceding just 52 runs. Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony...

Sri Lanka were in search of early wickets to give themselves any chance, but it never materialised. While the pacers kept things tight and made it difficult for the Pakistani openers to score freely, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were inconsistent with the ball and leaked runs. Sahibzada Farhan fell while trying to take an undue risk, but contributions from Saim Ayub and Babar Azam took Pakistan past the finishing line, with Babar ensuring he batted through even as wickets fell around him. Sri Lanka needed those breakthroughs to come in clusters and much earlier if they were to make a contest of it.

Not the most fluent chase you will see, but Pakistan get the job done to clinch the tri series. It was a win set up by their bowlers, with Sri Lanka’s self-implosion playing a significant part as well. Dasun Shanaka's side will be left ruing the fact that they were well placed at 84/1 but ended up with just 114. Had they assessed the conditions better instead of aiming too high, which their batting approach in the second half of their effort suggested, the outcome could have been very different.

18.4FOUR! Babar Azam finishes things off in style! Dushmantha Chameera lands this short of a length and outside off. Babar accepts the width on offer and plays a cracking cut shot to the deep point fence for a boundary. PAKISTAN WIN THE FINAL BY 6 WICKETS.

18.3SCORES LEVEL! Hard length and around off, Usman Khan guides it towards third man for a run.

18.2Back of a length and on off, Usman Khan gets behind the line and blocks it out.

18.1Good length and on leg, Babar Azam glances it towards fine leg for a single. Pakistan need just 2 runs to win now.

17.6Flighted, full and on of, Babar Azam drives it through covers for a run.

17.5FOUR! Put away with ease! A half tracker and on middle. Babar Azam crouches a bit low and pulls it with disdain to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. Pakistan just one hit away from the win now.

17.4Drags his length back and around off, Usman Khan slaps it to long off for another run.

17.3Short again and on off, Babar Azam rocks back and swats it to long on for a run.

17.2Short and around off, Usman Khan punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Usman Khan walks in next.

17.1OUT! TAKEN! Pavan Rathnayake gets his second T20I wicket as well. He tosses it up, full and around off, turns it away. Fakhar Zaman goes down for the slog sweep but only manages to get a top edge. The ball goes in the air, and Dasun Shanaka at short cover settles under it to take a nice catch. Fakhar still hasn't hit a six against Sri Lanka in T20Is, and maybe that was playing in his mind with the game all but wrapped up.

16.6Another short ball, on off, Fakhar Zaman stays back and stabs it through extra cover for one. Pakistan need 11 runs in 18 balls.

16.5Drags his length back, on middle, Babar Azam flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for another run.

16.4Slows it up, full and on off, Babar Azam knocks it back to the bowler.

16.3Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Fakhar Zaman tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

16.2Flighted, full and on off, Babar Azam eases it to long off for a single.

16.1Beauty! Floated, full and on off, grips and turns away sharply. Babar Azam gets squared up as the ball zips past the outside edge.

15.6Tossed up, on off, Fakhar Zaman blocks it off.

15.5Short and on off, pulled to the right of long on for a single.

15.4On the shorter side, around leg, Fakhar wrists it past mid-wicket for one.

15.3OUT! CAUGHT! An innocuous delivery, but Pavan Rathnayake has his maiden T20I wicket. Another long hop and it is outside off. Agha backs away and slaps it hard but picks out the cover fielder to absolute perfection. Dasun Shanaka reacts quickly and takes a sharp grab around his waist. Fakhar Zaman walks out to bat.

15.2Given LBW but successfully overturned by Salman Agha! Another loose delivery, way too short, on middle. Agha backs away to force it through the off side but the ball stays low. Agha squeezes it out towards cover but Sri Lanka will feel that it is pad first. The umpire thinks so too and up goes the finger. Agha reviews and the UltraEdge confirms that the ball has not touched the pad and it has gone straight onto the bat.

15.1A real loosener from Pavan Rathnayake. Too short and on off, Babar hammers it away for a single.

14.6FOUR! Top shot! Short of a length and around middle and off, Salman Agha backs away to make some room for himself. He extends his arms and crunches it over point for a boundary.

14.5Good length and on middle, Babar Azam clips it through square leg for one.

14.4Touch fuller an angling down the leg side, Babar Azam tries to glance it away but misses as the ball brushes the pads and rolls to the keeper.

14.6Four!

14.5No run.

14.4No run.

14.3On a length and on off, Salman Agha clips it through square leg for a run.

14.2Play and a miss! Good length and on off, holds its line, Salman Agha has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

14.1Fuller and on off, Babar Azam knocks it towards mid off.

13.6Googly, full and on off, Agha fails to pick it and closes the bat face early to work it away on the leg side. Gets a soft leading edge towards cover.

13.5Full and on leg, Babar works it through mid-wicket and takes a single.

13.4Slips in the googly again, short and on off, Salman punches it past cover for a single.

13.3Short and it is the googly, on middle. Salman defends it out.

13.2FOUR! Beautifully played! Looped up, on middle. Agha reaches out in front and gets his hands low. Takes it on the full and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary.

13.1Tossed up, on middle, paddled down to deep fine leg for a run.

12.6Full and on off, Babar eases it wide of cover and retains the strike with a single.

13.61 run.

13.6No run.

13.51 run.

13.41 run.

13.3No run.

13.2Four!

13.1Tossed up, on middle, paddled down to deep fine leg for a run.

12.6Takes pace off and goes full, on off, Azam eases it wide of cover and gets to the other end.

12.6Wide! Pace on but sliding down leg, Babar Azam misses out on the tickle. A good diving take by the keeper, Kusal Mendis.

12.5Off-cutter, on a length, on off, Salman waits on it and taps it with soft hands in front of the keeper for a run.

12.4Hurls it on a back of a length, on top of off, punched wide of cover for the fourth single in a row.

12.3On a hard length, over off. Salman stands tall and drops it in front of square leg for another single.

12.2A floater, full and outside off, Babar looks to drive it through covers but the bat turns in his hand. Miscues it towards mid off for one more.

12.1Lands it full, on off, Agha knocks it between cover and mid off for a single.

11.6Wrong'un, full and on off, turns in, Babar Azam lunges out to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

11.5Looped up, full and on middle, Salman Agha goes down and swipes it through short fine leg for one.

11.4A googly, full and on off, turns in, Salman Agha gets forward and fends it away.

The skipper of Pakistan, Salman Agha comes out to bat.

11.3OUT! LBW! A bit unlucky for Saim Ayub and Wanindu Hasaranga gets a wicket here. This is slower through the air, short and around middle, turns in and does not bounce at all.  Saim Ayub goes down to swipe it away but plays all over it due to the lack of bounce and gets hit on the pads right in front of the stumps. A big shout for LBW, and the finger goes up. Ayub does not bother reviewing it as it is plumb in front. He walks back for 36 off 33, and Pakistan are 75/2, needing 40 more runs to win.

11.2Short and on middle, Babar Azam moves back and punches it to long on for a run.

11.1Tossed up, full and on middle, Saim Ayub goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

10.6Goes short and on middle, angling in, Babar Azam pushes it to the right of the bowler. Maheesh Theekshana dives to that side to make a good stop.

10.5Fires one full and on middle, Babar Azam works it to short mid-wicket.

10.4Flighted, full and on off, Saim Ayub drives it past cover for a run.

10.3Short and on off, Babar Azam punches it through extra cover for a single.

10.2Quicker, full and on off, keeps a bit low, Babar Azam pats it down the pitch.

10.1Flatter, full and on middle, Babar Azam tucks it to the left of short mid-wicket.

DRINKS BREAK! Pakistan are cruising towards a tri-series win here in Rawalpindi. They are in complete control of the chase, and it looks like a matter of when rather than if, unless something miraculous happens. Sri Lanka have not helped their cause with their inconsistency with the ball, but they will still have to believe that they can trigger a collapse after the break, just as it happened to them earlier.

9.6Another short delivery, on off, Babar Azam punches it to sweeper cover for one.

9.5Tossed up, full and on middle, Babar Azam defends it on the front foot.

9.4Quicker, short and on middle, angling in, Saim Ayub nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

9.3Floated, full and on off, Saim Ayub stays back and blocks it out.

9.2Flatter, full and on leg, Babar Azam drills it to long on for a single.

9.1SIX! It's all going wrong for Wanindu Hasaranga! He bowls a half-tracker, on middle. Babar Azam picks up the length early, moves back and smashes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a flat six.

8.6Looped up, full and on off, Babar Azam drills it to long off for one more. Pakistan need 53 runs in 66 balls now.

8.5Floated, full and around off, Babar Azam steps across to clip it to the leg side but gets a leading edge along the ground towards deep point for a brace.

8.4Flighted, full and on off, Saim Ayub eases it to long off for another run.

8.3FOUR! Short and punished! Drags his length back and around middle, Saim Ayub shifts his weight on the back foot and smacks it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. He moves to 32 - his highest in this Tri-series.

8.2Tossed up, full and on leg, Babar Azam tucks it towards square leg for a run.

8.1Short and on middle, Saim Ayub moves back and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.6Hard length and around middle, Saim Ayub gets his front leg up and flicks it to deep square leg for one.

7.5FOUR! Gets it away! Back of a length but down the leg side, slower as well. Saim Ayub picks it up early and just helps it on its way to the fine leg fence for a boundary. 50 up for Pakistan.

7.4Full and and on middle, Babar Azam clips it towards square leg for a quick run.

Babar Azam comes in at number 3, much to the delight of the Pindi crowd.

7.3OUT! BOWLED'EM! Eshan Malinga strikes. He goes full and on off, nips back in sharply. Sahibzada Farhan has a wild heave across the line from the crease but misses it completely as the ball goes through and uproots the off pole out of the ground. Farhan departs for 23 off 22, and Pakistan are 46/1, needing 69 more runs to win.

7.3WIDE! Tries the slower bouncer, on off, but it is too high, Sahibzada Farhan leaves it alone. Wided.

7.2Short of a length and on middle, Saim Ayub pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

7.1Just short! A slower one, full and on middle, Saim Ayub tries to flick it away but closes the bat face early. Gets a leading edge but the ball just lands in front of the bowler.

6.6Another short ball, on middle, Saim Ayub pulls it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one. 12 runs off Hasaranga's first over.

6.5Oh..that keeps low! Pushed through quicker, full and on middle, turns in and keeps very low. Saim Ayub gets stuck in his crease and tries to work it away but misses and the ball thumps his pads. Half an appeal for LBW, but turned down.

6.4Flighted, full and on off, Sahibzada Farhan pushes it through covers for a single.

6.3Tossed up, full and on off, Sahibzada Farhan knocks it back to the bowler.

6.2FOUR! A boundary now. Flatter, shortish and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan gets on the back foot and heaves it away through mid-wicket for four runs.

6.1SIX! BANG! Welcome to the game, Wanindu Hasaranga. Drops it short and around middle, begging to be put away. Sahibzada Farhan rocks back quickly, gets on top and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

5.6Another slower one, on a back of a length, on middle. Saim looks to work it away on the leg side but the ball holds in the surface and he closes the bat face early. The leading edge pops up but drops well in front of cover.

5.5Malinga does not offer any pace, on a short of a length, on the off pole. Saim Ayub steps out to punch it away but the ball stays low. Ayub bunts it towards cover.

5.4On a hard length, on middle. Farhan swivels for the pull but gets it high on the bat. The ball balloons and drops in the vacant backward square leg region for one.

5.3Bowls the slower one, angled into the right-hander, on a good length. Sahibzada Farhan has a swipe across the line but is deceived by the slowness of the delivery and gets hit around the box.

5.2On a back of a length, on middle. Sahibzada Farhan backs away to thrash it through the off side. Mistimes it to cover.

5.1Into the surface, on middle and leg, Farhan tucks it to mid-wicket.

4.6On a length, on the off stump, dabbed to point.

4.5In the channel on off, on a back of a length. Saim presses half-forward and checks his shot after initially shaping up to force it through the off side. It is the leg cutter which shoots a bit. The outside edge rolls behind towards the keeper.

4.4Pace off but too straight, angled in at the hips. Saim Ayub walks inside the line but fails to get it away. The ball brushes the thigh pad and dribbles behind towards the keeper.

4.3Sliding onto the pads, on a length, Farhan shovels it to deep backward square leg for a run.

4.2On a good length, on middle. Farhan stays back and stabs it down on the leg side.

4.1FOUR! Streaky! Leg-cutter from Chameera, on a length, on off and middle. Sahibzada pushes out in front but is squared up. Gets a leading edge that goes through the gap between short third and backward point for a boundary.

3.6FOUR! Punished! Fractionally short, on middle and leg. Saim Ayub picks up the length early and swivels on the back foot. Pulls it aerially but away from the fielder at deep backward square leg to his left for a boundary.

3.5Beaten! This is pushed across the left-hander, on a good length. Saim Ayub looks to keep it out with a straight bat but the ball deviates away off the deck to go past the outside edge. Not far away from crashing into the off pole.

3.4Shanaka follows the right-hander as he backs away. On a length, Sahibzada knocks it to long on for a single.

3.3Floated up, on the pads, clipped to deep square leg for a run.

3.2Pace off, fuller and on middle and leg, Sahibzada flicks it past mid-wicket for a single.

3.1On a back of a length, on off, Sahibzada Farhan taps it back on the deck.

2.6Keeps it full, on middle, Saim Ayub defends it out.

2.5Full and on leg, Ayub works it to backward square leg.

2.4FOUR! Given as runs but Maheesh Theekshana was pretty convinced in his appeal for LBW. Darted in and then it straightens off the deck. Short and on middle, Saim presents a straight bat for the block. The ball appears to have grazed the outside edge before racing past short third for a boundary. We will have to wait for the replays. Well, yes, the UltraEdge shows that it came off the bat.

2.3FOUR! All too easy for Ayub. Theekshana errs in both line and length. Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Saim presses on the back foot and cuts it all along the ground through point for four more.

2.2Shorter and around of, Ayub slaps it hard to cover.

2.1FOUR! Easy pickings! Maheesh Theekshana sprays it down leg from around the wicket. Saim Ayub sweeps this full ball to the right of short fine leg for a boundary.

1.6Off-pace delivery, on a back of a length, on middle. Farhan hops and whips it to mid-wicket.

1.5Swing and a miss! Chameera bashes the hard length, outside off. Sahibzada Farhan throws his hands at the ball, but the ball kicks up to go over the flailing blade.

1.4Fuller and on off, Ayub taps it in front of cover for a single.

1.3Nearly trickled back onto the stumps! On a hard length, on top of off. Saim Ayub defends it very late. The ball drops off the face of the bat and goes in the direction of the stumps. Luckily for him, the ball bounces over the stumps.

1.2A leg-cutter from Chameera, on a back of a length, on off. Farhan punches it wide of long on for a single.

1.1On a good length, on middle. Ayub tucks it with soft hands in the vacant square leg region. The batters think about the second run but the fielder in the deep is quick to release the ball.

Dushmantha Chameera to share the attack.

0.6A misfield and Saim Ayub is off the mark! Tossed up, full and on middle. Ayub looks to work it away with the angle by closing the bat face. Gets a soft leading edge and the ball dribbles towards cover, where the fielder fumbles and concedes a single.

0.5Swerving away from around the wicket, right in the blockhole, on off. Saim Ayub digs it out on the off side.

0.4Very full, tailing back in, on middle. Sahibzada jams it out through mid on for a single.

0.3Sahibzada Farhan and Pakistan are underway! Full and drifting onto the pads, Farhan works it away to the right of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

0.2Pushed through, shorter and quicker, on off, Farhan hits it firmly back towards the bowler.

0.1Full and curving back into the right-hander, on middle. Sahibzada Farhan clips it off the pads towards mid-wicket, where the fielder dives to his right and prevents the single.

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Team Rankings

RankTeamPointsRating
1Australia3732124
2South Africa3581116
3England4469112
4India4064104
5New Zealand240996
6Sri Lanka236488
7Pakistan205082
8West Indies203670
9Bangladesh188863
10Ireland18523
11Zimbabwe20812
12Afghanistan6210
RankTeamPointsRating
1India4893122
2New Zealand4956113
3Australia4134109
4Pakistan4294105
5Sri Lanka4392100
6South Africa378097
7Afghanistan265795
8England343286
9West Indies317377
10Bangladesh288276
11Zimbabwe129154
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13Scotland152246
14USA166844
15Netherlands142540
16Oman88635
17Nepal95927
18Namibia70721
19Canada35716
20United Arab Emirates39611
RankTeamPointsRating
1India18251272
2Australia11199267
3England11609258
4New Zealand13318251
5South Africa11751240
6West Indies14424236
7Pakistan17149235
8Sri Lanka10951228
9Bangladesh14673222
10Afghanistan9895220
11Ireland7266202
12Zimbabwe13190200
13Netherlands6366182
14Scotland4178182
15Namibia6344181
16United Arab Emirates10584176
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