Pakistan
Sri Lanka
As Pakistan and Sri Lanka gear up for the third T20I of the tri-series on November 22 in Rawalpindi, you’re set for a matchup that carries real stakes for both sides.
Pakistan enters with all the momentum after a 3-0 ODI sweep and a confident win over Zimbabwe in their opening T20I, while Sri Lanka arrives desperate to break out of their recent slump.
With key performers returning to the spotlight and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ready for another high-intensity showdown, you can expect a contest where Pakistan aims to stay dominant at home and Sri Lanka fights to keep their campaign alive.
Fakhar, Rizwan, and Iftikhar offer more consistent hitting power than Sri Lanka’s middle order.
The betting tip is...
Most Sixes - Pakistan
61 %
39 %
PakistanSri LankaAhead of their November 22 clash with Sri Lanka, Pakistan enters with a mix of timely squad tweaks and contrasting individual displays. Fakhar Zaman’s return on November 9 - replacing the released Hasan Nawaz - paid off instantly as the left-hander top-scored with a confident 44 in the tri-series opener against Zimbabwe on November 18.
But while Fakhar fired, Babar Azam endured an unwelcome record, overtaking Shahid Afridi for the most ducks by a Pakistani in T20Is. With the spotlight now fixed on whether Babar can reset his form, Pakistan will look to build on their winning start in what marks their first-ever T20I tri-nation series on home soil.
Pakistan is expected to maintain a similar lineup to the one that secured victory against Zimbabwe in their first match.
Predicted Lineup: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka enters the tri-series in Pakistan under a cloud of late disruptions, with regular captain Charith Asalanka and pacer Asitha Fernando ruled out due to illness and sent home. In Asalanka’s absence, former skipper Dasun Shanaka has been handed the leadership duties as the team looks to regain stability.
The squad has also brought in leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth as cover for Wanindu Hasaranga, who continues to nurse the hamstring injury he picked up during the ODI series.
Adding to the turbulence, some players reportedly expressed hesitation about continuing the tour after a security-related incident, but Sri Lanka Cricket instructed the team to stay on, assuring that all necessary protection would be in place as the tri-series moves forward.
Sri Lanka will be going with the strongest playing XI in the match.
Predicted Lineup: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Pavan Rathnayake, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.
Pakistan head into this clash with clear momentum, stronger form, and a more settled lineup, making them the favourites to extend their winning run in the tri-series.
Sri Lanka’s late squad disruptions, key absences, and inconsistent batting leave them vulnerable, especially against Pakistan’s in-form top order and home conditions.
Unless Sri Lanka produces an exceptional power play and disciplined spin display, Pakistan should control the contest and secure another comfortable win.
