Sri Lanka has clinched a spot in the T20I tri-series final following a hard-fought six-run victory over Pakistan in their concluding league encounter. The match, however, will also be remembered for an unfortunate milestone reached by Pakistan’s prominent batsman, Babar Azam.
Set a target of 185, Pakistan’s chase was hampered early, but captain Salman Ali Agha’s unbeaten 63 guided them back into contention. Despite a valiant effort, they ultimately fell short by six runs. During the innings, Babar Azam departed without scoring on his second delivery, marking his tenth duck in T20 Internationals. This places him alongside Umar Akmal and Saim Ayub for the most ducks by a Pakistan player in the format.
This T20I tri-series has been a difficult one for Azam individually. He has accumulated just 90 runs in four appearances, averaging 22.5 with a below-par strike rate of 113.92. This recent slump in form contrasts with his previous ODI century against Sri Lanka, which had ended a prolonged period without reaching three figures. His current inconsistency is a significant worry for Pakistan’s batting order.
The Sri Lankan innings saw them set a challenging total of 184/6. Opener Kamil Mishara was the standout performer, smashing a rapid 76 off 48 balls. Pakistan’s response began shakily, reaching just 43/4. The partnership between Salman Ali Agha and Usman Khan provided a glimmer of hope, but the team couldn’t quite overhaul the target.
Nevertheless, Pakistan had already confirmed their passage to the final prior to this match. They are scheduled to meet Sri Lanka again in the summit clash on November 29.