Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I of their three-match series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, October 13. The hosts have already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead and will aim to complete a 3-0 whitewash on home soil.
Pakistan head into the final match with confidence after an 82-run victory in the second T20I. Maaz Sadaqat scored 96 off 51 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan also made a half-century as Pakistan posted 215/3. The hosts will look to maintain their momentum and finish the series with another win.
Sri Lanka will aim to restore some pride after the heavy defeat. Kusal Mendis and his team competed in the series opener but struggled in their chase of 216 in the second match, finishing on 133/7.
Pakistan have the upper hand after winning both matches in the series. Their aggressive batting and effective bowling have put Sri Lanka under pressure, and the visitors must deliver a stronger all-round performance to avoid a series whitewash.
PAK vs SL Match Preview & Recent Form
Pakistan scored 215/3 in 20 overs before restricting Sri Lanka to 133/7 for an 82-run victory in the second T20I. Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan scored half-centuries. The total was Pakistan's highest at home in T20Is and the first 200-plus score at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan's bowling attack has also delivered throughout the series. Muhammad Imran Randhawa took 3/11 in the second T20I, while the bowling unit kept Sri Lanka to a modest total. Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan will also be important in the PAK vs SL series finale.
Sri Lanka must improve their batting after failing to chase 216 in the second T20I. Lahiru Udara impressed in the opening match with 91, but the visitors need more consistent contributions from their top order.
Kusal Mendis has scored 573 runs in the last 12 months at a strike rate of 122.22. Sri Lanka's bowlers will also need to be more disciplined on Rawalpindi's batting-friendly surface.
PAK vs SL Live Streaming, Live Telecast: Where to Watch 3rd T20I?
Cricket fans in Pakistan can watch the third T20I live on PTV Sports HD and A Sports. Digital streaming will be available on the Tapmad app and website, Tamasha app, and PCB Live platform. The match is scheduled to start at 6:00 PM PKT (6:30 PM IST) on Tuesday, October 13.
In India, the match will not be available on traditional DTH television. According to the provided details, fans can watch the PAK vs SL third T20I live on the Veto app, with coverage starting at 6:30 PM IST.
PAK vs SL Pitch Report: How Will Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Play?
The pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is traditionally flat and hard, making it ideal for aggressive batting. The ball comes onto the bat with consistent bounce, allowing batters to play their shots freely.
Fast bowlers will need to use cutters and variations in pace to control the scoring rate. Spinners who find extra bounce and turn can also make an impact in the middle overs. With short square boundaries, teams batting first will aim for a total of at least 200.
Dew can make defending a total more difficult in the evening by reducing bowlers' grip on the ball. The chasing team has won four of the last seven matches at this venue. The captain winning the toss may therefore prefer to bowl first.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium T20 Stats
Total Matches: 18
Won Batting First: 5
Won Bowling First: 11
Average 1st Innings Score: 150
Average 2nd Innings Score: 143
Highest Team Total: 215/3 (Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2026)
Lowest Team Total: 90 (New Zealand vs Pakistan)
Highest Score Chased: 194/4 (New Zealand vs Pakistan)
Lowest Score Defended: 184/5 (Sri Lanka vs Pakistan)
Highest Individual Score: 104* (Mark Chapman, New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2023)
Best Bowling Figures: 4/13 (Usman Qadir, Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, 2020)
PAK vs SL Weather Forecast & Rain Threat at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Rawalpindi is expected to experience pleasant conditions during Tuesday evening's match, with temperatures around 23°C at the start. Humidity could be around 68% by 7 PM, according to AccuWeather.
The forecast indicates little chance of rain during the match, with a 2% chance of precipitation between 7 PM and 10 PM. The conditions are favourable for a full 20-over contest, although teams should monitor the latest forecast before the match. The PAK vs SL match should face minimal weather disruption.
PAK vs SL Team News & Squad Updates
Pakistan have reported no injury concerns ahead of the final T20I, with all 15 players available for selection. Having secured a 2-0 series lead, the team management could consider changes to the playing XI, with Salman Mirza and Mohammad Imran Randhawa among the available options.
Sri Lanka have also reported no new injuries following the second T20I. All-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe and left-arm pacer Binura Fernando remain fit and available for the final match.
PAK vs SL Predicted Playing 11 Today
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:
Sahibzada Farhan (c), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:
Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Lahiru Udara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.
PAK vs SL Key Player Battles to Watch
Sahibzada Farhan vs Dushmantha Chameera:
Sahibzada Farhan has dominated Dushmantha Chameera in T20Is, scoring 98 runs off 52 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes. He has a strike rate of 188.5 and an average of 49.0 in this matchup. Chameera has dismissed Farhan twice in seven encounters.
Kusal Mendis vs Naseem Shah:
Naseem Shah has the upper hand against Kusal Mendis in T20Is, dismissing the Sri Lankan captain twice in just 10 deliveries while conceding only four runs. Mendis has an average of 2.0 and a strike rate of 40.0 against the Pakistan pacer.
Dasun Shanaka vs Shadab Khan:
Dasun Shanaka has attacked Shadab Khan effectively in T20Is, scoring 70 runs off 33 balls at a strike rate of 212.1 and an average of 35.0. Shadab has dismissed Shanaka twice and will look to vary his flight and pace to restrict the Sri Lankan batter in the middle overs.
PAK vs SL Key Players to Watch
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Maheesh Theekshana
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