Kusal Mendis secures consolation win for Sri Lanka as Pakistan takes T20I series 2-1

Kusal also became the top scorer for Sri Lanka in the format with 2791 runs, going past Pathum Nissanka’s tally of 2784.  | Photo Credit: AFP

Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 87, ably supported by Kamindu Mendis’s 27-ball 40 helped Sri Lanka chase 169 against Pakistan to register an eight-wicket win in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The result gave the Lankans a consolation win with Pakistan sealing the series 2-1.

Kusal, was adjudged the player the match for his sublime knock which is also his career-best score in the format, while Sahibzada Farhan was name player of the series.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field. Farhan’s 47-ball 76 was in stark contrast to an underwhelming showing by the rest of the top and middle order. Eshan Malinga’s double strike in the fourth over started the slide with Farhan struggling to find support.

That eventully arrived first from Abdul Samad, whose 10-ball 15 alongside Arafat Minhas’ 20-ball 34 pushed Pakistan’s score to a respectable 168/8 in 20 overs.

Dasun Shanaka finished as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/21 and a stellar economy of 5.25.

In reponse, Mohammad Imran removed Lahiru Udara off the fifth ball of the chase to put some early pressure on the Lankans. But a two-part resistance both around Kusal, first with Sineth Jayawardene and then with Kamindu, helped Lanka clinch victory with 17 balls to spare.

Kusal also became the top scorer for Sri Lanka in the format with 2791 runs, going past Pathum Nissanka’s tally of 2784.