Last Updated on 5 months ago by Charbel Coorey

The 3rd match of the 2025 Pakistan T20 Tri-Series will feature Sri Lanka, who are aiming to bounce back after a poor performance against Zimbabwe. Dasun Shanaka’s team take on Pakistan, who started with a hard-fought win against the Zimbabweans.

Sri Lanka had a nightmare with the bat on a ground where chasing is usually preferred. They lost wickets regularly, and were eventually bowled out for 95 in 20 overs – a huge 67 runs short of Zimbabwe’s total. With a T20 World Cup campaign coming up, the Sri Lankans will be looking for a confidence boost.

For Pakistan, the priority will be to continue building on their solid year in T20Is. They have won 18 matches in 2025, and the team management will be pleased at how their middle order was able to seal the deal against Zimbabwe. Also, how their spinners fare against Sri Lanka’s lineup will make for interesting viewing.

Pakistan T20 Tri-Series 2025 3rd Match: PAK vs SL Possible Playing XIs

Pakistan could stick with the same team that prevailed over Zimbabwe in the Tri-Series opener.

Pakistan: 1. Sahibzada Farhan, 2. Saim Ayub, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Salman Agha (c), 5. Fakhar Zaman, 6. Usman Khan (wk), 7. Mohammad Nawaz, 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Salman Mirza, 10. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11. Abrar Ahmed

Sri Lanka have the option of Kamil Mishara who bats in the top order.

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kusal Mendis (wk), 3. Kamil Mishara/Kusal Perera, 4. Bhanuka Rajapaska, 5. Kamindu Mendis, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Dushmantha Chameera, 9. Maheesh Theekshana, 10. Eshan Malinga, 11. Nuwan Thushara

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

Teams batting second have won seven out of nine completed T20 Internationals at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. In these T20Is, the average first innings score is 153.67 at a run rate of 7.68.

In this period, pace bowlers have taken 63 wickets at an average of 29.04 and economy of 8.08. Spinners have fared better with 45 wickets at an average of 20.96 and economy of 7.48.

Another cool and clear evening is forecast with temperatures to drop to about 10 degrees.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs SL T20I: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Sahibzada Farhan has scored 300 runs in eight T20 innings at Rawalpindi at an average of 37.5 and strike rate of 149.3.

Key batter picks:

• Babar Azam missed out against Zimbabwe. But, he often enjoys batting on this ground. In all T20s, Babar has struck 741 runs (avg. 39.0, SR 148.5).
• Pathum Nissanka also missed out in the last game. As Sri Lanka’s best batter, he remains a solid pick in at least some of your Dream11 teams. Nissanka has one half-century in three T20Is against Pakistan.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Wanindu Hasaranga is the top captaincy pick in Dream11. The legspinner has taken 16 wickets in six T20Is against Pakistan at an average of 9.62 and economy of 6.41.
• Saim Ayub bowled four overs against Zimbabwe. He is likely to bowl multiple overs again on a ground where spin plays a factor. Saim can also score well with the bat, especially when chasing.
• Mohammad Nawaz can provide runs down the order as he showed against Zimbabwe (21* off 12 balls). His left-arm spin will be key for Pakistan in the middle overs.

Key bowler picks:

• Shaheen Shah Afridi took 3/28 against Sri Lanka in the 2025 Asia Cup. He dismissed both openers Nissanka and Mendis. Also, Shaheen has 20 wickets in all T20s at Rawalpindi (avg. 19.4, SR 13.2).
• Abrar Ahmed has taken at least one wicket in 10 of his last 12 T20Is. Abrar took 1/8 off four overs against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup. He will look to test Sri Lanka’s shaky batting.
• Eshan Malinga had a very impressive T20I debut against Zimbabwe (2/27). He bowls in the crunch overs and targets the stumps.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Dasun Shanaka top scored for Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe. In 10 T20I innings this year, Shanaka has scored 201 runs (avg. 33.50, SR 135.81). He will also contribute some overs with the ball.
• Kusal Mendis is a curious case. He opens the batting and has good potential in fantasy cricket. However, he has made three golden ducks in three T20Is against Pakistan.
• Salman Agha has been in fine form in ODIs, but has struggled for impact in T20Is this year (547 runs, avg. 24.86, SR 113.72).
• Usman Khan has an outstanding record in all T20s at Rawalpindi: 8 inns, 356 runs, avg. 59.3, SR 189.4.
• Maheesh Theekshana has taken five wickets in three T20Is against Pakistan (avg. 14, econ. 5.83).

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 24, Pakistan 14, Sri Lanka 10.
• Wanindu Hasaranga has overall figures of 1/1 against Saim Ayub (2 balls), 1/9 against Babar Azam (16 balls) and 1/1 against Salman Agha (3 balls) in T20Is.
• Dasun Shanaka has scored just 141 runs in 11 T20Is against Pakistan (avg. 14.10, SR 119.49).
• Abrar Ahmed in T20s at Rawalpindi: 10 inns, 15 wickets, avg. 20.3, econ. 7.60.

PAK vs SL Dream11 Prediction Today – Pakistan T20 Tri-Series 2025 3rd Match

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

PAK vs SL Match Prediction: Who will win?

Sri Lanka have the potential to bounce back, but Pakistan will win at home.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo and Cricmetric.