Sri Lanka Vs Pakistan Highlights, 3rd T20I: Lions Win 12-Over Game By 14 Runs, Level Series 1-1

Good evening and welcome, cricket fans! The concluding match of the ongoing SL vs PAK T20I series is nearly here, and we will bring you up to speed with the build-up, weather update, toss, playing XIs and live action. Stay with us.

Weather willing, the match is scheduled to start at 7pm IST, with the toss slated for 6:30pm. The Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 3rd T20I will be live streamed on the SonyLIV, FanCode apps and websites in India. It will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network TV channels in India.

As was being anticipated, it has started raining in Dambulla, which means the toss is likely to be delayed. The pitch and most of the outfield is under covers and we shall bring you the official update soon.

It's official now. The toss has been delayed due to the downpour, which has thickened from a drizzle to heavy rain in Dambulla. Not the best news, and we hope for the clouds to clear up soon.

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

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

The news from the centre is not very encouraging. After decreasing a bit in intensity, the rain stopped eventually, raising hopes of a toss. But it has returned with gusto and the covers have been put back. We wait again...

An inspection is ongoing, and the umpires will try to gauge the moisture or sogginess on the outfield and other areas of the ground. Let's see how it goes.

The match has been reduced to a 12-over contest. Play will begin at 9:20pm IST. The toss update and playing XIs, coming up next.

Pakistan have won the toss and elected to field first against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka (c), Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

Two hours and 20 minutes after scheduled, the first ball is finally bowled. Kamil Mishara smacks Naseem Shah for two boundaries but the Pakistan fast bowler bounces back, having Pathum Nissanka caught for a two-ball duck. That brings Kusal Mendis to the crease.

After an extended period of waiting early on, it's all happening in Dambulla now. A 12-over game means fortunes are fluctuating rapidly. Kamil Mishara falls for an 8-ball 20, and Dhananjaya de Silva then comes in to get to 22 off 14 balls. Pakistan would still feel they have done well to limit the Lankans from a really rapid start.

Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka are all dismissed, but not before playing vital cameos that prop up the run rate. Dasun Shanaka has since come in and smashed 16 off four balls. Sri Lanka trying to tee off in the last few deliveries.

Janith Liyanage hits the last ball of the innings for four, as Sri Lanka finish with a strong 160 for six in 12 overs. They did not start very well, but quickfire knocks lower down the order from Shanaka and Liyanage have taken the hosts to a total that will take some chasing from Pakistan. Let's see how the Men In Green respond.

Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub walk out to the middle to open the batting for Pakistan. Maheesh Theekshana has the ball in hand for the Lankans. Farhan dispatches the off-spinner to deep extra cover for a second-ball boundary, but Theekshana responds well in the follow-up deliveries. Just five runs from the first over.

Pakistan have kept up the tempo but lost their top-four batters in the process. Wanindu Hasaranga sends back Usman Khan as well as Saim Ayub in his first over to keep the Lankans in the game. Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Nawaz now at the crease.

Yes, it is a 12-over game but partnerships still have their place in the game when wickets are lost in a clump. Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Nawaz are stitching a crucial stand, having hit 49 off 25 balls. The required run rate is 15 now, but the fact that Pakistan still have six wickets in hand means they can still chase down the target with a big over.

Sri Lanka hold on! Eshan Malinga has to defend 20 runs in the final over and he does so fairly well, conceding just five runs as Pakistan are limited to 146 for eight in 12 overs. The Lions win by 14 runs to level the three-match series 1-1. The victory gives them some confidence, going into the T20 World Cup where they are co-hosts.