RAWALPINDI — Pakistan drew first blood in their three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka, chasing down 183 with four wickets in hand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. Captain Sahibzada Farhan led from the front with a commanding 89 off 53 deliveries, while Maaz Sadaqat marked his arrival with a brisk half-century to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Farhan, Sadaqat Set the Tone
Set a target of 183, Pakistan made their intentions clear from the outset. Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put on 54 runs inside the first five overs before Eshan Malinga removed Fakhar for 21 off 13 balls, bringing Sadaqat to the crease.
The left-hander wasted little time imposing himself on the contest, joining his captain in a punishing 92-run stand for the second wicket that left Sri Lanka’s bowlers searching for answers. Sadaqat raced to his fifty off just 29 deliveries, an innings laced with three sixes and four fours, before Maheesh Theekshana trapped him leg-before.
Farhan, meanwhile, anchored the chase with authority. He brought up his own half-century from 33 balls and continued to find the boundary with regularity, striking four sixes and 10 fours during his stay.
Late Wobble, Then Relief
Sri Lanka briefly clawed their way back into the contest by striking three quick blows, reducing Pakistan from a comfortable 144/1 to 156/4 in the 16th over. Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub fell to Dushmantha Chameera and Theekshana respectively, while Shadab Khan also departed as nerves crept in.
Farhan’s dismissal for 89, with only four runs required, gave the visitors a final glimmer of hope. But Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Imran held their nerve to see Pakistan across the line for a four-wicket victory.
For Sri Lanka, Theekshana and Malinga picked up two wickets apiece, while Chameera and Nuwan Thushara claimed one each.
Naseem Strikes Early, Debutant Imran Shines
Earlier, Sri Lanka elected to bat after winning the toss but found themselves on the back foot almost immediately. Naseem Shah struck in the opening over, removing captain Kusal Mendis for a single run, before debutant Muhammad Imran dismissed Kamil Mishara for six to leave the visitors reeling at 18/2 in the fourth over.
Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis steadied the innings with a 60-run partnership for the third wicket, but Saim Ayub broke the stand in the 10th over by removing Kamindu for 23 off 18 balls, an innings that included four boundaries.
Imran struck again in the very next over, accounting for Sahan Arachchige as Sri Lanka slipped to 83/4 after 10.1 overs. Udara then combined with Dasun Shanaka for a 57-run fifth-wicket stand off just 34 balls, guiding the visitors past 170 before Naseem ended his resistance.
Sri Lanka finished on 182/8 from their 20 overs, a total bolstered by 26 extras conceded by Pakistan. Naseem returned figures of 3/36 from his four overs, while Imran produced a remarkable debut performance of 2/2. Saim, Abrar Ahmed and Razaullah each claimed a wicket.
What’s Next
The victory gives Pakistan an early edge in the three-match series. The second T20I is scheduled at the same Rawalpindi venue on October 11, with the final encounter set for October 13.
Following the T20I series, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be joined by England for an ODI tri-series running from October 18 to 31, with matches to be staged in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
