A thrilling finale awaits as Sri Lanka and Pakistan gear up for the third T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday. The series remains finely poised after the second match was washed out completely, allowing Pakistan to retain a 1–0 advantage in the three-match contest. With the visitors in front, Sri Lanka find themselves in a do-or-die situation and must win the final game to square the series.
The hosts struggled in the opener, being bowled out for 128. They will rely heavily on Pathum Nissanka and captain Dasun Shanaka to provide a more competitive total. Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha looked clinical in the first game. With Sahibzada Farhan in form and a balanced bowling attack, they start as favorites to take the series. Both teams are using this series as a vital blueprint for the 2026 T20 World Cup, experimenting with combinations on slow, subcontinental tracks.
SL vs PAK, 3rd T20I: Match Details
- Date and Time: January 11 (Sunday); 7:00 pm IST / 1:30 pm GMT / 7:00 pm LOCAL
- Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
SL vs PAK Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
Matches played: 29 | Pakistan won: 17 | Sri Lanka won: 11 | No result: 01
Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium Pitch Report
The surface for the third T20I is likely to mirror the conditions seen in the opener, providing an even contest with bowlers enjoying a slight edge. Although the pitch supports strokeplay, the ball held up at times in the first match, which made timing shots difficult for the hosts. Records at this venue show that sides batting first have won around 60% of the games, but Pakistan’s ease in chasing the target in the opening fixture highlighted how much dew can come into play later in the evening. In light of that, the toss-winning captain may again be inclined to field first to negate the impact of moisture on the ball, particularly for the spinners.
Squad
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Traveen Mathew, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, and Eshan Malinga.
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq
SL vs PAK, 3rd T20I: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Sri Lanka wins the toss and bowls first
- Pakistan powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
- Pakistan total score: 160-170
Case 2:
- Pakistan wins the toss and bowls first
- Sri Lanka powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
- Sri Lanka total score: 150-160
Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest.
