Match overview
Sri Lanka Cricket beat Pakistan Cricket by 6 runs in a T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 27 November 2025. Sri Lanka batted first and posted 184/5, built on a controlled powerplay of 58 runs for 1 wicket and a steady middle phase of 79 runs for 2. Pakistan's reply started disastrously: 4 wickets fell in the first six overs for just 45 runs, and the chase never recovered from that position. A strong death-overs spell of 54 runs from Pakistan narrowed the margin but Sri Lanka held on. PVD Chameera took the player-of-the-match award for his bowling contribution in the win.
The result snapped a run of three consecutive Pakistan victories over Sri Lanka, and it was Sri Lanka's first win at this ground in recent memory. Given that Pakistan had won the previous two meetings at Rawalpindi by 6 and 7 wickets respectively, the turnaround came from bowling rather than batting brilliance: Sri Lanka's total was 30 runs below the ground's average first-innings score of 214.
Venue and conditions
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is one of the flatter batting tracks in Pakistan, and the numbers reflect that. Across 79 matches at the ground, the average first-innings score is 214 and the average second-innings score is 208. Both sides fell short of their respective averages. The venue's average powerplay is 41 runs; Pakistan managed 45 in theirs but lost 4 wickets doing so, which tells most of the story.
The toss typically pulls teams towards fielding first at Rawalpindi: 58% of toss winners here opt to bowl, and the chase success rate sits at 60%. Pakistan followed that logic, won the toss, chose to field, and it cost them. Sri Lanka's 184 was below par by recent history at this ground, but the way their bowlers exploited Pakistan's unstable top order meant the target held up. The average death-overs score at the ground is 34 runs; Pakistan hit 54 in the final five overs yet still came up short, which shows how deep the powerplay damage ran.
How to watch
T20I cricket between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is typically broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, with live streaming available through Sky Go and NOW TV for those without a full Sky subscription. For tour fixtures and bilateral series in this part of the world, Sky holds the primary rights for UK audiences. Fans travelling or without a Sky package should check the NOW TV day-pass options as an alternative.
Recent form
Pakistan arrived at this match in strong form, having won five of their last five matches including three victories over Sri Lanka and two over Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka's recent record was noticeably poorer: four losses from their last five going into this fixture, with their only win coming against Zimbabwe. Against Pakistan specifically, Sri Lanka had dropped their previous three T20I meetings before this result.
The form lines made Pakistan clear favourites on paper, and their toss win added to that picture. Sri Lanka's win against that backdrop was grounded in a disciplined bowling performance. Chameera's player-of-the-match award reflects a collective effort that managed to contain Pakistan in the phases where the Rawalpindi pitch usually favours batters most. Both sides are expected to meet again in this series, and Sri Lanka will take confidence from showing they can defend totals well below what this ground typically produces.