PAK vs SL T20I Series: 4 top performers of the series from Sri Lanka

On October 9, Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the third T20I and completed a clean sweep with a 3-0 series win. It marks a sweet end to the tour for the visitors, who had previously lost both the ODIs they had played against the hosts in Karachi. 

The fact that Sri Lanka was not a full-strength team on this tour and Pakistan had come in as the World's No.1 T20I team, makes this victory all the more special and a much-needed boost for Sri Lanka's preparations which are aimed at winning the T20 World Cup next year in Australia. Here are five top performers from the just-concluded series. 

Wanindu Hasaranga

This Sri Lankan leg-break bowler took home the Man of the Series award for picking up eight wickets across the three T20Is and also contained the Pakistani batting line-up. Hasaranga has revealed that his wrong un is his go-to ball and used it as a weapon against the home side in the series.

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Danushka Gunathilaka

Gunathilaka opened the innings for Sri Lanka in all the three T20Is and shined in the first game with his 38-ball 57. His innings comprised of eight fours and one six. His innings took Sri Lanka to 165 that eventually led to the team winning by 64 runs as Pakistan were bowled out for a paltry 101.

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Bhanuka Rajapaksa

The Lankan left-hander made his T20I debut in this series and excelled with 112 runs across the three matches. His most vital knock came in the second match in which he scored 77 batting at the No.3 position. The innings took Sri Lanka to a match-winning score of 182.

Oshada Fernando

The 27-year-old Fernando was yet another debutant for Sri Lanka, playing his first international match in the final game of the series. After the top order didn't score heavily, Fernando came in at No.5 and took the game away from Pakistan with his exceptional knock of 78. 

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Beyond individual performances, the biggest highlight of the T20I series was Sri Lanka's team effort in defeating a Pakistan side in their own backyard which came in as favourites with a settled squad and a new coach. Sri Lanka's stand-in captain, Dasun Shanaka, also thanked the crowds in Pakistan for turning up in large numbers to watch their matches.

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