Pakistan Complete 3-0 Whitewash as Mohammad Wasim and Fakhar Zaman Shine Bright
Pakistan wrapped up the ODI series in dominant fashion, beating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final match to secure a 3-0 whitewash. A clinical all-round performance, highlighted by Mohammad Wasim’s sharp bowling and Fakhar Zaman’s fluent half-century, ensured Pakistan remained in full control from start to finish. Despite a promising start by Sri Lanka, it was bundled out for 211—a total Pakistan chased down comfortably with 5.2 overs to spare.
Sri Lanka’s Bright Start Fizzles Out After Strong Opening Stand
Sri Lanka began their innings with an intent that suggested they were aiming for a total well above 300. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara came out blazing, stitching together a quick 50-run opening stand inside the first eight overs. Their positive strokeplay pushed Pakistan onto the back foot early, particularly targeting Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose lengths were exploited during the powerplay.
However, the momentum was short-lived. Nissanka chopped an inside edge onto his stumps, becoming the catalyst for a rapid shift in control. Mishara, who had played confidently early on, fell next—caught behind after Mohammad Wasim extracted extra bounce, bringing Pakistan firmly back into the contest.
Middle-Order Pressure Mounts as Pakistan’s Bowlers Tighten the Screws
After the promising start, Sri Lanka’s progress was halted by disciplined Pakistani bowling. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama attempted to rebuild, but their partnership unfolded far too slowly for the match situation. Pakistan’s bowlers, especially debutant Faisal Akram, maintained tight lines that restricted scoring opportunities.
Faisal Akram, replacing Abrar Ahmed, impressed with his variations and control. Despite having Samarawickrama trapped in front early, only for DRS to overturn the decision, Akram kept the pressure mounting. His entry into the attack shifted the innings’ tempo, leaving Sri Lanka struggling to rotate the strike on a pitch that gradually became more batter-friendly.
By the time Wasim returned to bowl his second spell, Sri Lanka’s run rate had dipped dangerously. Sensing the growing pressure, Wasim produced a brilliant yorker to clean up stand-in captain Kusal Mendis, a breakthrough that completely unsettled the visitors’ middle order.
Faisal Akram’s Double Strike Breaks Sri Lanka’s Backbone
Pakistan’s grip tightened further when Faisal Akram delivered a decisive double blow. First came a dream delivery that spun sharply to dismantle Samarawickrama, ending his resistance at 48. Moments later, Kamindu Mendis departed after offering a soft return catch, leaving Sri Lanka’s innings in disarray.
This collapse underlined a recurring theme for Sri Lanka throughout the series, the inability to convert starts into meaningful scores. Their middle-order failure once again shifted excessive pressure onto the lower order.
Pavan Rathnayake Shows Promise, but Sri Lanka Falls Well Short
One of the few bright spots for Sri Lanka was 23-year-old debutant Pavan Rathnayake, who showcased maturity beyond his experience. Batting lower than ideal, he shepherded the tail effectively and even produced one of the best shots of the match—a stylish back-foot punch soaring over cover for six.
However, with partners falling rapidly at the other end, Rathnayake had no choice but to take risks. His run-out for a well-made 32 ended Sri Lanka’s innings at 211, a total that never looked adequate on a Rawalpindi surface easing up under lights.
Fakhar Zaman’s Explosive Start Sets Up Pakistan’s Chase
Pakistan’s chase began shakily when Haseebullah Khan endured a painful 12-ball duck, struggling for timing before lofting a simple catch. But Fakhar Zaman, determined to dominate from ball one, ensured Pakistan quickly regained control.
Zaman played with typical aggression, punishing loose deliveries and finding gaps effortlessly. His footwork against seam and spin alike showcased his confidence, and alongside Babar Azam, he guided Pakistan comfortably through the early overs.
Babar, who has been searching for consistency recently, looked refreshed and fluent. His crisp strokeplay lifted the home crowd, helping Pakistan reach a commanding position during the powerplay.
Vandersay’s Triple Strike Rekindles Sri Lankan Hopes
Just as the match seemed to be slipping away from Sri Lanka, Jeffrey Vandersay brought them roaring back. Playing his first match of the series, the legspinner struck with three crucial wickets.
First, Zaman’s attempt to hit Vandersay over the top ended in a spectacular diving catch by Kamindu Mendis, dismissing him for a brisk 55. Then, Babar Azam was undone by a beautiful googly that snuck through his gate, a dismissal that visibly stunned the crowd.
With Salman Agha trapped in front soon after, Pakistan suddenly found themselves under a bit of pressure, needing 97 more runs with their middle order exposed.
Rizwan and Talat Anchor the Innings with Calm, Calculated Batting
At 118 for 4, the match briefly hung in the balance. But Mohammad Rizwan and Hussain Talat brought stability with a composed partnership that drained the excitement out of Sri Lanka’s bowling attack.
For the next ten overs, boundaries dried up—but crucially, wickets did too. They built their cautious approach around risk-free cricket, knowing that the required run rate posed no challenge. Rizwan, who finished unbeaten on 61, paced his innings with exceptional maturity.
Talat, enjoying a productive series, also played a steady hand. He survived an lbw scare after DRS overturned the on-field decision, further emphasising Sri Lanka’s luckless outing.
Pakistan Cruise to Victory and Seal a Dominant Whitewash
In the end, Pakistan reached 215 for 4 comfortably, sealing a well-earned whitewash. While the final overs lacked drama, they highlighted Pakistan’s superior planning, execution, and temperament.
For Sri Lanka, this series exposed significant gaps, particularly in their middle order and death bowling. Meanwhile, Pakistan will take plenty of positives, including the resurgence of Fakhar Zaman, the reliability of Mohammad Rizwan, and the emergence of Faisal Akram as a promising spin option.
Key Takeaways
- Mohammad Wasim’s 3 wickets played a decisive role in Sri Lanka’s collapse.
- Fakhar Zaman’s 55 set the tone for Pakistan’s chase.
- Rizwan’s unbeaten 61 ensured a calm finish.
- Faisal Akram’s impact in his first ODI of the series was particularly noteworthy.
Pakistan won the match by six wickets, completing a 3-0 whitewash
