Mendis, Shanaka star in Sri Lanka consolation T20I win

Rawalpindi witnessed a thrilling T20I contest between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on Tuesday, as the Island nation secured an eight-wicket consolation victory. Captain Kusal Mendis led the charge with a commanding 87-ball 87, adorned with four boundaries and nine other hits, while medium pacer Dasun Shanaka claimed three crucial wickets.

Farhan was the Pakistani skipper's mainstay with a blistering 76-ball 76, containing three sixes and seven other strokes. Mendis acknowledged the pivotal role of bowling discipline, remarking, "We didn't bowl well in the first two games but today our bowling was disciplined and we kept them to a gettable total." Farhan, however, criticized his team's batting, stating, "We batted well in the first two games but this 168-run total was not enough so we have to analyze this for future games."

Sri Lanka's innings began impressively with Sineth Jayawardena's rapid 38-ball 38, which included two sixes. Mendis and Kamindu Mendis formed an unshakable 98-run partnership to stymie Pakistan's efforts, sharing 27 boundaries between them. Pakistan's chase saw a dramatic turnaround in the final overs, as Arafat Minhas and Farhan combined for 66 runs in 20 balls, pushing the total to a respectable 168. Shanaka, Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga also contributed two wickets each to Sri Lanka's victory.