Weather update ahead of Pakistan-Sri Lanka third T20I

DAMBULLA: Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to clash in the third and final T20I of the series on Sunday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS). 

The visitors currently leads the series 1-0 after the second match was abandoned due to persistent rain, with no toss or play possible.

According to the latest weather reports, temperatures during the match are expected to hover around 24°C, with a RealFeel of 24°C. Skies will be partly cloudy with 62% cloud cover, while humidity remains high at 80%, making conditions feel very humid. 

Winds are blowing from the east at 13 km/h, with gusts up to 24 km/h. Visibility is good at 8 km, and the cloud ceiling is approximately 9,100 m. Air quality is fair, and the dew point stands at 20°C. 

However, there is a 51% chance of heavy rain in the evening, which could affect play.

In the series opener, Pakistan chased down a modest target of 129, winning by six wickets with 20 balls to spare. 

Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub laid a strong foundation with a 59-run partnership before Ayub fell to Maheesh Theekshana on the last ball of the batting powerplay, finishing 24 off 18 balls with three boundaries and a six.

Farhan added 25 runs for the second wicket with captain Salman Ali Agha, but both batters were dismissed in successive overs, leaving Pakistan at 101/3.

Farhan emerged as the top-scorer with a quickfire 51 off 36 deliveries, while Agha contributed 16 off 11 balls. Fakhar Zaman was stumped off Dhananjaya de Silva in the 14th over for five runs.

Usman Khan and Shadab Khan then guided Pakistan to victory with a match-winning partnership, sealing the win in the 17th over. Shadab remained unbeaten on 18 off 12 balls, while Usman finished 7 not out. 

For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Dhananjaya de Silva claimed a wicket each.

Earlier, Pakistan's decision to field first proved effective as their bowlers skittled Sri Lanka for 128 in 19.2 overs. 

The home side lost both openers—Kamil Mishara (0) and Pathum Nissanka—inside the powerplay with just 15 runs on the board. 

Kusal Mendis (14) and Dhananjaya de Silva (10) tried to stabilise the innings but fell in quick succession, leaving Sri Lanka at 38/4 in 6.5 overs.

Janith Liyanage scored a resilient 40 off 31 balls, including two fours and a six, before being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed in the 18th over. 

Salman Mirza removed captain Dasun Shanaka (12) and tailender Dushmantha Chameera (0) in the penultimate over, while Mohammad Wasim Jr caught Maheesh Theekshana off his bowling on the second ball of the final over. 

Abrar Ahmed and Salman led Pakistan's attack with three wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jr picked up two apiece.

Squads:

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Traveen Mathew, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga.