Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Final 2025: Preview

Date: Saturday, 29th November 2025
Time: 1:00 PM GMT | 6:30 PM IST | 6:00 PM Local
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Series: T20I Tri-Series 2025 (Final)

Match Overview

The T20I Tri-Series 2025 concludes with a thrilling final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. After a series of closely contested matches, both teams have reached this stage with contrasting performances and momentum. The hosts, Pakistan, will aim to capitalize on their home advantage, while Sri Lanka, riding on a strong recent form, will look to continue their winning streak.

This match promises high-octane action, with key players on both sides ready to deliver. The battle between Pakistan's spin arsenal and Sri Lanka's explosive batting line-up is expected to be the highlight of the encounter.

Team Analysis

Pakistan

Pakistan has been in decent form throughout the tri-series but has had a few hiccups, especially in the lead-up to the final. The team's batting strength lies in the performances of Sahibzada Farhan, who has been their top run-scorer, and Babar Azam, who consistently delivers under pressure. The middle order, led by Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, has also shown promise.

In the bowling department, Abrar Ahmed has been the standout performer with the leg-spin, while Mohammad Nawaz has contributed with both bat and ball. The pace attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, has been effective in the death overs.

However, Pakistan will need to overcome the challenge of a tight final and maintain consistency in their bowling and fielding to secure victory.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been in excellent form, particularly in the recent matches leading up to the final. Their batting line-up, led by Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, has been instrumental in their success. Kusal Perera and Pavan Rathnayake have also provided crucial support with the bat.

On the bowling front, Wanindu Hasaranga has been a revelation with his leg-spin, taking key wickets at crucial moments. Dushmantha Chameera has been equally effective with his pace and accuracy. The balanced attack, supported by Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga, has given Sri Lanka a solid edge in tight matches.

Sri Lanka’s recent win over Pakistan in a precursor match to the final has given them a psychological advantage, and they will look to carry that momentum into the decider.

Players to Watch

Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches)

• Pakistan: 2 wins
• Sri Lanka: 3 wins

Sri Lanka has had the upper hand in recent encounters, including a convincing win in a match leading up to the final, which could impact the psychological edge.

Pitch & Venue Analysis

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has been a batting-friendly venue in recent times. The average first innings score in 2025 is 193.7, with batters scoring consistently and bowlers struggling to contain the flow of runs. Spinners have also found support, averaging 25.52 and an economy of 7.93.

• Win % Batting First: 55.8%
• Win % Batting Second: 44.2%

With the pitch offering some assistance to spinners and dew potentially playing a role in the second innings, the toss could be crucial in deciding the strategy of the match.

Match Prediction

• Toss Winner: Sri Lanka
• Match Winner: Sri Lanka
• Top Batters: Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan), Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
• Top Bowlers: Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
• Player of the Match: Wanindu Hasaranga
• Projected Scores:
  • Pakistan: 170+
  • Sri Lanka: 170+

Key Stats & Insights

• Fakhar Zaman's Winning Streak: Pakistan has a high win rate when Fakhar scores over 50.
• Boundary Rate: Hasan Nawaz averages a boundary every 5 balls in his international innings.
• Dot Ball Challenge: Only 32% of balls faced by Babar Azam are dots, highlighting his aggressive approach.
• Shaheen's Impact: Shaheen Afridi takes 3+ wickets in 20% of his matches.
• Salman Mirza's Economy: Salman Mirza's economy rate is below 6.00 in 40% of his games.

Final Verdict

This final is set to be a high-stakes encounter between two evenly matched teams. Sri Lanka, with their recent form and strong performances in this tri-series, are slight favorites. However, Pakistan will be buoyed by the home advantage and the need to end the series on a high. The battle between the spinners and the openers will be pivotal, and the team that starts strong and maintains composure under pressure is likely to emerge victorious.

Prediction: Sri Lanka to win the T20I Tri-Series Final by 6-8 wickets.
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