Pakistan Thump Sri Lanka by Four Wickets in First T20I

Farhan’s 89 and Maaz Sadaqat’s maiden half-century power hosts to 187-run chase in 18.5 overs; Naseem, Mohammad Imran claim three and two wickets respectively

Hamid Khan Wazir

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan began their T20I series against Sri Lanka on a winning note, chasing down a target of 183 runs with four wickets in hand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Skipper Sahibzada Farhan led the charge with a blistering 89 off 53 balls, while Maaz Sadaqat struck an impressive 50 off 29 deliveries as Pakistan reached 187 for six in 18.5 overs, sealing victory with seven balls to spare.

The home side’s successful chase followed Sri Lanka’s competitive total of 182 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, built around a magnificent 91 from Lahiru Udara.

Farhan and Sadaqat provided the backbone of Pakistan’s response, combining aggressive strokeplay with crucial partnerships to keep the required run rate under control throughout much of the innings.

Farhan smashed 10 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 167.92, setting the tone for the chase with an attacking innings that put Sri Lanka’s bowlers under sustained pressure.

Sadaqat complemented the captain perfectly, hitting four boundaries and three sixes to register 50 off 29 balls. His contribution proved decisive in maintaining Pakistan’s momentum after the early stages of the innings.

Pakistan made a flying start, reaching 50 in just 4.5 overs. Fakhar Zaman contributed 21 off 13 balls before falling to Nuwan Thushara in the sixth over, leaving the hosts well placed at 54 for one.

Farhan and Sadaqat then consolidated the innings, taking Pakistan past 100 in 9.2 overs. Their partnership brought the hosts firmly into control before Sadaqat departed at 146 for two in the 14th over.

Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub fell in quick succession, briefly slowing Pakistan’s progress. Hasan scored just one, while Ayub managed eight off five balls, leaving the hosts at 156 for four.

Farhan continued to anchor the chase, but his dismissal at 179 for five in the 18th over brought a brief flurry of wickets. He was caught off Nuwan Thushara after coming within 11 runs of a century.

Shadab Khan departed for a duck, but Khawaja Nafay remained unbeaten on 12 off seven deliveries to guide Pakistan home. Mohammad Imran was unbeaten on zero as the hosts crossed the finish line at 187 for six.

For Sri Lanka, Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets apiece, while Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera claimed one each. However, their efforts were insufficient to defend the total.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 182 for eight after being asked to bat first, with Udara producing the innings’ outstanding performance.

Udara struck 91 off 55 balls, smashing 11 fours and one six at a strike rate of 165.45. Despite losing partners at regular intervals, he kept Sri Lanka competitive with an innings that combined measured accumulation with timely aggression.

Sri Lanka suffered an early setback when captain Kusal Mendis was dismissed for one off two balls by Naseem Shah. Kamil Mishara followed for six, leaving the visitors struggling at 18 for two in the fourth over.

Udara then joined Kamindu Mendis in a recovery effort. Kamindu scored 23 off 18 balls, including four boundaries, helping Sri Lanka rebuild after their shaky start.

However, Pakistan continued to make inroads. Mohammad Imran dismissed Kamil Mishara and later Sahan Arachchige, who managed just one run, while Saim Ayub removed Kamindu Mendis to leave Sri Lanka at 83 for four.

Dasun Shanaka attempted to accelerate the scoring, making 18 off 15 balls with two sixes, but Shadab Khan ended his innings as Pakistan tightened their grip.

Udara remained the visitors’ principal source of runs, carrying the innings deep into the final overs before Naseem Shah dismissed him on the last ball of the 19th over. His departure at 172 effectively ended Sri Lanka’s hopes of a late surge.

Naseem finished with three wickets for 36 runs in four overs, while Mohammad Imran returned impressive figures of two for 21 from his four overs. Razaullah and Shadab Khan claimed one wicket each, and Saim Ayub also took one. Sri Lanka’s total included 29 extras, comprising 18 wides, seven byes, three leg-byes and one no-ball, which contributed to their final score of 182.

Pakistan’s bowling effort was particularly effective through the middle overs, with Mohammad Imran providing control and Naseem delivering crucial breakthroughs. Although Udara’s innings kept the visitors in contention, Pakistan’s batting depth ultimately proved decisive.

The victory gives Pakistan an encouraging start to the T20I series on home soil, with Farhan’s commanding captain’s knock and Sadaqat’s half-century emerging as the defining contributions of the opening encounter.