Sahibzada Farhan marked his first match as Pakistan’s full-time Twenty20 International captain with a commanding 89 as the hosts chased down Sri Lanka’s 182-8 to secure a four-wicket victory with seven balls to spare in the opening match of the three-game series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Farhan struck 10 fours and four sixes in his 53-ball knock, while Maaz Sadaqat smashed a maiden T20I half-century to put Pakistan firmly on course for victory. Their 92-run second-wicket partnership proved decisive as Pakistan reached 187-6 in 18.5 overs.
The hosts made a flying start to the 183-run chase, with Farhan and Fakhar Zaman adding 54 for the opening wicket. Fakhar struck four boundaries in his 13-ball 21 before falling to Eshan Malinga in the final over of the powerplay, by which time Pakistan had raced to 70-1.
Maaz immediately maintained the momentum, taking advantage of loose deliveries to punish the Sri Lankan bowlers. He swept Maheesh Theekshana past fine leg for four before Farhan launched the spinner for six as Pakistan crossed the 100-run mark in the 10th over.
The left-hander continued to attack, smashing Dunith Wellalage over long-on for six before Farhan brought up his half-century off 33 balls. Maaz reached his maiden T20I fifty off just 21 deliveries in the 13th over, striking four fours and three sixes in an innings that gave Pakistan control of the chase.
Farhan then took Theekshana apart in the 14th over, sweeping him over long-on for six before adding two more boundaries. The spinner, however, ended Maaz’s 29-ball knock of 50 by trapping him leg-before, leaving Pakistan at 146-2.
Sri Lanka briefly threatened to turn the contest around as Hasan Nawaz was caught behind off Dushmantha Chameera for one and Theekshana bowled Saim Ayub for eight in successive overs. Pakistan slipped to 156-4, but Farhan remained the key to the chase.
After two quieter overs, the captain attacked Nuwan Thushara in the 18th, striking a boundary through square leg before launching a low full toss over extra cover for six. His innings ended at 89 when he was caught by Sahan Arachchige in the deep off the next delivery, with Pakistan needing just four runs for victory.
Shadab Khan fell for a duck, caught off Malinga, but Khawaja Nafay ensured there was no late drama. He finished unbeaten on 12 off seven balls, including a six over long-on, as Pakistan reached their target in 18.5 overs. Mohammad Imran remained not out on nought.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted 182-8 after winning the toss and electing to bat, with Lahiru Udara anchoring the innings through a superb 91 off 55 balls.
The batter struck 11 fours and a six, lifting Sri Lanka from 83-4 after Pakistan’s bowlers had made early inroads. Naseem Shah removed captain Kusal Mendis for one in the opening over, while debutant Mohammad Imran dismissed Kamil Mishara for six.
Udara then joined Kamindu Mendis in a counterattack that brought 60 runs for the third wicket. Kamindu made 23 off 18 balls, hitting four boundaries, before falling to Saim, caught by Fakhar at long-off. Two balls later, Sahan Arachchige departed for one after Shadab took a fine catch at point off Imran.
Undeterred, Udara brought up his maiden T20I half-century off 32 balls and continued to score freely. Dasun Shanaka contributed 18 off 15 balls, including two sixes, before Fakhar caught him off Shadab with Sri Lanka at 140-5.
Udara survived a missed chance on 77 when spinner Abrar Ahmed misjudged a high catch, but his innings ended nine runs short of a century when Naseem had him caught by Hasan at long-on in the final ball of the 19th over.
Naseem finished with 3-36 from four overs, while Imran claimed 2-21. Razaullah took his maiden T20I wicket in the final over, dismissing Theekshana for one, before Dushmantha Chameera struck a boundary off a free hit to help Sri Lanka finish on 182-8.
