On November 29, 2025, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets (with eight balls to spare) in the final of the 2025 T20I Tri-Nation Series, played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, thus lifting the trophy and being declared tri-series champions.
What Happened: Pakistan Clinch the T20 Tri-Series
Sri Lanka had posted 114 all out in 19.1 overs. Pakistan chased down the target with a score of 118/4 in 18.4 overs.
Key performers: openers Saim Ayub (36) and Sahibzada Farhan (23) laid a solid foundation with a 46-run partnership. Later, Babar Azam anchored the chase with an unbeaten 37 off 34 balls, guiding Pakistan to victory.
On the bowling side, spinners and pace delivered: Mohammad Nawaz took 3–17, and Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed 3–18 together, wreaking havoc on Sri Lanka’s batting line-up.
Result: Pakistan emerges as the 2025 T20I Tri-Series Champions.
Series Summary & Performance Across Matches
The 2025 Pakistan T20I Tri-Nation Series held between Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe ran from November 18 to 29, 2025.
Pakistan’s path to the final featured consistent performances: they won four of the series’ matches, which helped them qualify.
One highlight match before the final: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets (in one of the league games) after a strong batting display and controlled bowling.
Pakistan’s 2025 T20 campaign also saw the national team notch their most T20I wins in a calendar year since their first T20I in 2006, demonstrating a resurgence in form.
With this win, Pakistan ends the tri-series on top: a culmination of team strategy, balanced performances, and clutch execution under pressure.
Standout Performances & Key Players
Batting Heroics
- Saim Ayub & Sahibzada Farhan: Their upbeat opening partnership of 46 runs set the tone in the final chase. (Geo Super)
- Babar Azam: Anchored the chase with 37* off 34 balls, steadying the innings when mid-order pressure built up.
Bowling Excellence
- Mohammad Nawaz (3–17) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (3–18) Their spells dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting order, leading to a collapse.
- Abrar Ahmed and others supported with tight lines, ensuring Sri Lanka never recovered after the top order fell.
Keep on Reading:
Team Effort & Depth
Rather than relying on one superstar, Pakistan’s balanced team performance, combining aggressive openers, a stable middle order, and a potent bowling attack, proved decisive. The depth allowed them to absorb pressure and close out the win with composure.
What This Victory Means For Pakistan Cricket & T20 Landscape
Revival of Pakistan’s T20 Fortunes
With this tri-series win, Pakistan sends a strong message: their T20 unit is back in business. Consistent wins, especially at home, build momentum and confidence ahead of bigger tournaments (e.g., the T20 World Cup).
Their tally of T20I wins in 2025, the team’s highest in a year since 2006, underlines a return to form and stability. (PCB)
Validation of Balanced Squad Strategy
This victory showcases that a well-rounded team, with emerging batters, a reliable top order, and a diverse bowling attack, outperforms reliance on a single match-winner. This strengthens the case for Pakistan’s team selection strategy going forward.
Domestic Cricket Boost
With international success, domestic players and local leagues gain visibility. Young talents inspired by performances from Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Nawaz, and others may gain greater trust and opportunities, strengthening Pakistan’s cricketing pipeline.
National Morale & Fan Engagement
A big win at home in Rawalpindi, in front of local fans and across media, reignites national pride.
Fan support, morale boosts, and stronger engagement ahead of future series are all positive fallouts for cricket in Pakistan.
Reaction from Leadership and Public Figures
Following Pakistan’s triumph, key figures, including political and sporting leadership, publicly congratulated the national team and praised their performance. (As widely reported by media outlets.)
Fans across social media and cricket forums celebrated, calling it a “return to form” and expressing hope for bigger success in upcoming tournaments.
Players themselves, from openers to bowlers, credited teamwork, discipline, and recovery from earlier setbacks as key to their success.
Here’s an updated rundown, based on recent news coverage, of how leaders and public figures in Pakistan responded after the Pakistan national cricket team won the 2025 T20I Tri-Series.
It includes statements, congratulations, and broader reactions.
Political & National Leadership Response
Asif Ali Zardari (President of Pakistan)
- The President officially congratulated the team on their tri-series win, praising the players’ “hard work, discipline, and high performance.”
- He also expressed appreciation to the visiting teams (the Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe national cricket teams) for their participation and sportsmanship.
Shehbaz Sharif (Prime Minister of Pakistan)
- In a public statement, he applauded the team’s performance, calling it a display of discipline and skill that “made the nation proud.” (Geo News)
- He also thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its chairman for successfully organising the tri-series and maintaining high professional standards.
Other Political Figures/Regional Leaders
- The Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, also extended her congratulations, praising the national team’s performance and calling the tri-series win a “proud moment for the province and the country.”
These reactions reflect how vital cricket is to national morale. Political leadership publicly acknowledged the victory as a unifying moment for the country.
Praise from Cricket Authorities & Former Players
- The chairman of the PCB, Mohsin Naqvi, while not part of the political framework, also lauded the team’s performance, calling the T20I Tri-Nation Series win a “commanding triumph” and praising particularly the spin-bowling effort that dismantled opposition batting in the final.
- Among former players and cricket experts, voices like Wasim Akram and Mohammad Amir publicly celebrated the victory, applauding both the bowlers and batters for a strong all-round performance throughout the series.
Their praise emphasises that the win wasn’t just about one good match; it was seen as a strong collective effort, signalling good depth and balance in Pakistan’s T20 lineup.
Significance of the Messages: What This Means for Cricket & Nation
- Boost to National Morale: Public congratulations from top leadership often bolster national unity and pride, as in sports. A win + official praise = a collective moment of celebration.
- Institutional Support for Cricket: When political leaders and the national board unite to applaud the team, it sends a message of support and stability to players, selectors, and emerging talent.
- Encouragement for Future Success: Such recognition often motivates players; it underscores that performances are recognised at the highest levels, raising the stakes and encouraging consistency.
- Positive International Spotlight: With home-hosted tournaments and foreign teams participating, success and official praise help project a positive image of Pakistan’s ability to host and compete internationally.
What Went Right: Breakdown of Winning Formula
- Smart Bowling Attack: Using variety (spin + pace) to exploit Sri Lankan batting weaknesses.
- Strong Opening Partnership Provided a solid start and reduced pressure on the middle order.
- Middle-Order Stability + Finisher Babar Azam’s calm presence underlined Pakistan’s batting depth.
- Team depth & Bench Strength Performance came not just from stars but from collective team effort.
- Home Advantage & Conditions Familiar pitch & crowd support provided a boost, especially for spinners and Pakistani bowlers.
Challenges Ahead and What Pakistan Must Improve
While the win is huge, specific issues remain for long-term consistency:
- Over-reliance on top-order success. If openers fail, the middle and lower order must deliver consistently.
- Bowling consistency in more challenging conditions, Pakistan must prepare for overseas tours where conditions may not favour spinners or familiar home pitches.
- Managing workload & injuries. Given busy schedules, ensuring players’ fitness and rotation will be crucial.
- Expectations vs. Reality: Fans and media will expect continuous victories; handling pressure and expectations will be key.
What’s Next for Pakistan? Road Ahead After Tri-Series Win
- Use momentum for upcoming series and tournaments, including the T20 World Cup or other international assignments.
- Promoting and testing newer talent; the bench and younger players’ performances could secure future strength.
- Maintain balanced team composition: a mix of experienced players and fresh talent to sustain performance.
- Engage with fans: leverage wins to strengthen cricket’s support culture, domestic viewership, and grassroots interest.
Final Thoughts: A Tri-Series Win with Big Implications
This 2025 T20I Tri-Nation Series victory isn’t just another trophy for Pakistan; it signifies resurgence, confidence, and strategic maturity.
With a cohesive team, balanced performances, and mental resilience, Pakistan has reasserted itself as a formidable T20 side.
If they carry forward this form, discipline, and team-first mentality, the upcoming global tournaments may see Pakistan not just participate but compete for top honours.