Maaz Sadaqat hit a blistering 96 before Imran Randhawa’s miserly spell helped Pakistan thrash Sri Lanka by 82 runs in the second Twenty20 International and seal the three-match series for the hosts here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Both Maaz and Imran were able to make a match-winning impact in what was only their second T20I outing after making their debuts in Friday’s opening match.
While Maaz — who had hit a crucial half-century on debut — went on to showcase the more belligerent side of his potential, Imran justified his selection with precision bowling that kept Sri Lanka from getting into the game at any point during the chase.
After Pakistan were restricted to 46 in the powerplay, Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz transformed the innings with a commanding 88-run partnership for the second wicket. Farhan, who survived a couple of reprieves, led the recovery with a fluent 73 off 44 balls, striking four fours and five sixes, while Maaz provided the acceleration that ultimately carried Pakistan to their highest T20I total on home soil.
Fakhar Zaman had contributed 22 off 17 balls before falling to Maheesh Theekshana in the seventh over, but Maaz initially took time to settle after his arrival. He survived a leading edge that fell short of cover and was dropped by Nuwan Thushara off his own bowling on 44, before making Sri Lanka pay dearly for their lapses.
The left-hander brought up his half-century off 29 balls with a towering six over long-off against Theekshana in the 15th over. What followed was a remarkable exhibition of power-hitting as Maaz plundered 22 runs from the spinner’s final over, striking three sixes to take Pakistan past 165.
He continued to dismantle the bowling attack, using his feet against the pacers and finding boundaries on both sides of the wicket. His audacious scoop, reverse paddle and clean strikes over the ropes left Sri Lanka struggling for answers as Pakistan surged towards 200.
Farhan, meanwhile, brought up his half-century off 32 balls and continued to attack before Dasun Shanaka finally dismissed him in the 15th over, caught at deep third for 73. Maaz then took charge alongside Hasan Nawaz, who struck an unbeaten 19 off nine deliveries, as Pakistan collected 49 runs across the final three overs before the last.
Maaz reached 96 off just 51 balls, with six fours and seven sixes, but his maiden T20I century remained agonisingly out of reach. Attempting to slice Eshan Malinga behind point off the final delivery, he found Shanaka at deep cover instead. Pakistan nevertheless finished on 215-3, setting Sri Lanka a daunting target of 216.
Sri Lanka’s reply unravelled almost immediately. Salman Mirza, returning to international cricket after injury, removed Lahiru Udara for five in the opening over, before Imran struck to dismiss Sineth Jayawardena for 22 at the end of the powerplay.
Imran then delivered the decisive blows in the eighth over, removing captain Kusal Mendis for nine and Sahan Arachchige for a duck off successive deliveries, with wicket-keeper Khawaja Nafay taking two sharp catches. His figures improved to 3-9 after three overs, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 49-4.
The 29-year-old completed an outstanding spell of four overs for just 11 runs and three wickets, conceding only five runs in his first two overs. Dasun Shanaka fell to Saim Ayub for nine, while Shadab Khan dismissed Kamindu Mendis for 23 to leave the visitors at 74-6.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Maheesh Theekshana offered some resistance with a seventh-wicket stand of 50, but the required rate had climbed beyond reach. Chamindu made 29 before falling to Salman Mirza, who finished with two wickets, while Theekshana remained unbeaten on 32 off 26 balls.
Sri Lanka closed on 133-7, handing Pakistan an emphatic 82-run victory and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series ahead of Tuesday’s final match.
Farhan, celebrating his first series victory as Pakistan captain, praised his side’s improved six-hitting and attacking intent, while Sri Lanka skipper Mendis admitted his batters needed to take greater responsibility on a surface suited to stroke-making.
Maaz was named player of the match for his explosive innings, but Imran’s disciplined spell ensured that Pakistan’s outstanding batting display translated into a series-clinching victory.
