Shanaka’s Late-Order Blitz Leads Sri Lanka to Thrilling 14-Run Victory Over Pakistan in Dambulla
By Lions Roar News Sports Desk
DAMBULLA, SRI LANKA (January 12, 2026) — In a high-octane encounter defined by aggressive power-hitting, Sri Lanka secured a narrow 14-run victory over Pakistan in the third T20 International at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium yesterday (January 11). The win allows Sri Lanka to level the series at 1-1.
Rain disruptions delayed the start until 9:20 PM, forcing officials to shorten the game to a 12-overs-a-side contest. What followed was a masterclass in modern T20 batting from the hosts.
🏏 Sri Lanka’s Batting Fireworks
Choosing to bat first, the Sri Lankan lineup unleashed a relentless assault on the Pakistani bowlers, posting a massive 160/6 in just 12 overs.
- The Finishers: Former captain Dasun Shanaka was the star of the show, smashing an unbeaten 34 off just 9 balls. His cameo included three consecutive sixes in the final over against Mohammad Wasim.
- Collective Effort: Contributions from Kusal Mendis (30), Janith Liyanage (22*), Dhananjaya de Silva (22), and Charith Asalanka (21) ensured the scoreboard never stopped ticking.
- Rapid Run Rate: The top five contributors combined for 127 runs off just 54 deliveries, keeping the run rate consistently above 13 per over.
🎯 Pakistan’s Valiant Chase
Pakistan started their pursuit of 161 with intent, racing to 62 runs within the first four overs. However, the introduction of spin turned the tide in Sri Lanka’s favor.
- Hasaranga’s Magic: Captain Wanindu Hasaranga proved why he is a world-class threat, claiming 4 wickets for 35 runs. His double-wicket 5th over shifted the momentum entirely.
- Late Drama: Despite 45 runs from Salman Agha and a late surge from Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan struggled against the pressure of the mounting required rate.
- The Final Over: Eshan Malinga was tasked with defending 20 runs in the final over. Despite bowling four wides, he held his nerve to concede only 16 runs, restricting Pakistan to 146/8.
📊 Match Summary
| Team | Score | Top Performers |
| Sri Lanka | 160/6 (12 ov) | Dasun Shanaka (34*), Kusal Mendis (30) |
| Pakistan | 146/8 (12 ov) | Salman Agha (45), Wanindu Hasaranga (4/35) |
Result: Sri Lanka won by 14 runs. Series tied 1-1.
