Kusal Mendis rediscovered his sublime touch as Sri Lanka's misfiring batting order belatedly emerged from Australia's stranglehold with a consolation five-wicket victory at the MCG to avoid a series whitewash.
Chasing 155 in the fifth and final match, Sri Lanka were wobbling at 71 for 4 after all-too familiar sloppy dismissals before Mendis combined with skipper Dasun Shanaka in a match-winning 83-run partnership to provide the visitors with a confidence boost in Australian conditions ahead of a looming T20 World Cup.
It was a deserved victory for Sri Lanka, who have tried hard in the series only to rue inconsistency as they snapped an eight match T20I losing streak in Australia. Australia's attempts at a first 5-0 T20I series victory were thwarted in their final match of the home summer.
With a 5.10pm local start, two hours earlier than usual, the family friendlier time slot reeled in 17,556 fans - compared to 13,000 who attended the MCG on Friday - in the highest attendance of the series.