DAMBULLA: Pakistan conceded “too many runs” to allow Sri Lanka to level the three-match Twenty20 international series, national team captain Salman Ali Agha said after the final match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.
Pakistan won the first match by six wickets while the second match was canceled before Sri Lanka came back to win the rain-marred third match by 15 runs.
After the match was reduced to 12 overs per innings, Sri Lanka smashed 160, riding on Dasun Shanaka’s nine-ball 34, a target Pakistan ultimately failed to achieve.
“We conceded too many runs. 160 will always be too many,” Salman said in the post-match press conference. “But we still believe we can go after any target thrown at us. That’s why we got closer.”
Salman himself was up to the task, coming in at number three after Pakistan lost the opener to Sahibzada Farhan early. The right-hander played a superb knock of 12 balls for 45, which featured three sixes and four fours, but failed to last long enough to take Pakistan over the line.
“When you’re chasing 160, you’re just looking at the ball and trying to hit and maximize every pitch,” he noted. “That’s what I was trying to do.
“I wish I could have bowled three or four more overs – it would have been even more entertaining. But yes, I would have been very happy if it was for a winning cause.”
The series served as a warm-up for Pakistan ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup, which is expected to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka, where Salman and co. will play all their centerpiece matches. The all-rounder said he would have preferred more matches in the series.
“I would have loved to have had a five-game series,” he observed. “At least we would have had three games to decide who would win the series.
“But for us this series was about preparation for the World Cup. We know it always rains in Sri Lanka.
“Today was a learning experience for us: how to play with a wet ball. I think that’s going to play a big role in the World Cup as well. So it was a good learning experience, and I think we checked that box.”
The series also saw all-rounder Shadab Khan make his return to Pakistan for the first time since June last year. The leg-spinner was brilliant with the ball in the first T20I, taking 2-25 and also contributing with the bat later.
Pakistan also tested promising batter Khawaja Nafay in the final ODI and saw him impress with 26 off 15 as they tested their depth ahead of the T20 World Cup. Pacer Salman Mirza also continued his form.
“The positives: The way Nafay batted today was exceptional and also the way Salman bowled,” captain Salman said. “Shadab Khan came back after a long injury and played very well in both matches, and he batted well too.”
Published in Dawn, January 13, 2026
