Hasaranga stars in Sri Lanka's series-levelling win

Sri Lanka sealed a series-levelling 14-run win in the rain-affected third T20I in Dambulla on Sunday. In a 12-overs-a-side contest, Sri Lanka successfully defended their total of 160 thanks to Wanindu Hasaranga's spell of 4-35.

The game was delayed for over two hours due to rain before Pakistan opted to field upon winning the toss.

Kamil Mishara got off to a cracking start, striking three fours and a six, but was dismissed in the second over. Pathum Nissanka had already departed for a two-ball duck by then. All of Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka got off to starts and crossed 20 before falling.

The most defining stand, worth 52 and taking just 15 balls, was shared by Dasun Shanaka and Janith Liyanage. Joining forces in the 10th over, they struck six sixes and three fours between them. This included the three consecutive sixes Shanaka struck to start the final over, bowled by Mohammad Wasim, before holing out off the fourth ball. A boundary struck by Liyanage off the last ball meant Sri Lanka finished strong on 160/6.

Pakistan's chase started with promise even as they lost Shahibzada Farhan early. Walking in at No. 3, captain Salman Agha launched a destructive assault as Pakistan scored 22 runs off both the second and third overs.

Sri Lanka wrested the momentum when Matheesha Pathirana had Salman Agha caught at fine-leg attempting a scoop in the fourth over. Then, Hasaranga struck twice in the following over, removing both Saim Ayub and Usman Khan.

Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Nawas then shared a 49-run stand to keep Pakistan's hopes afloat. But the innings unraveled quickly as Hasaranga returned to pick up two more wickets, dismissing both Nafay and Shadab Khan, in the 10th over.

20 runs were needed off the final over and it began with Faheem Ashraf being run-out attempting a quick single. Pakistan couldn't get close despite Ehsan Malinga spraying four wides attempting wide yorkers and fell 14 short of the target.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 160/6 in 12 overs (Dasun Shanaka 34; Mohammad Wasim Jr 3-54) beat Pakistan 146/8 in 12 overs (Salman Agha 45; Wanindu Hasaranga 4-35) by 14 runs.