RAWALPINDI, Oct 9: Pakistan began their three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka with a four wicket victory at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 9, as captain Sahibzada Farhan delivered a match winning batting performance to guide the hosts to a challenging target of 183.
Farhan scored 89 from 53 deliveries, striking 10 fours and four sixes, as Pakistan reached 187/6 in 18.5 overs. His innings proved decisive in a closely contested encounter in which Sri Lanka had earlier posted 182/8 after being asked to bat first.
The victory gave Pakistan a 1-0 advantage in the series and marked an encouraging beginning for Farhan in his first match as the team’s full-time captain in a bilateral T20I series.
Young batter Maaz Sadaqat also played a crucial role, scoring his maiden T20I half-century. The pair added 92 runs for the second wicket, transforming Pakistan’s chase after the early departure of opener Fakhar Zaman.
Sri Lanka build a competitive total
Sri Lanka’s innings was built around an impressive performance from Lahiru Udara, who scored 91 from 55 balls. His innings included 11 fours and a six, allowing the visitors to establish a competitive total despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
Udara demonstrated a strong combination of timing and aggression, finding boundaries against both pace and spin. His ability to maintain a high scoring rate was especially important as Sri Lanka attempted to recover from an early setback.
Kusal Mendis fell for one, while Kamil Mishara contributed only six as Pakistan’s bowlers made important breakthroughs during the powerplay. Udara, however, remained composed and continued to attack, preventing the innings from losing momentum.
Kamindu Mendis added 23 from 18 deliveries, providing useful support during a period when Sri Lanka needed to maintain its scoring rate. Their partnership helped the visitors move towards a competitive total before Pakistan struck again.
Naseem Shah was among Pakistan’s most effective bowlers, claiming three wickets for 36 runs. His ability to take important wickets helped prevent Sri Lanka from turning a promising start into a significantly larger score.
T20I debutant Mohammad Imran also made an impact, taking two wickets for 21 runs in four overs. His economical spell provided Pakistan with valuable control during the middle overs, while Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Razaullah picked up one wicket apiece.
Despite those contributions, Sri Lanka continued to find runs through Udara’s innings and several late contributions. The visitors eventually finished at 182/8, setting Pakistan a target of 183 at a required rate of just over nine runs per over.
Udara misses out on a century
Udara’s dismissal for 91 denied him a deserved hundred but did not diminish the significance of his innings. He was the clear standout performer in Sri Lanka’s batting line-up and kept the team competitive despite losing partners at the other end.
His knock was particularly valuable because Sri Lanka had struggled to maintain a steady flow of runs after the early wickets. By combining controlled stroke play with timely attacking shots, Udara ensured that the innings did not collapse.
Captaincy and batting responsibilities were shared across the middle order, but no other batter managed to match his contribution. Dasun Shanaka scored 18, while the remaining batters found it difficult to produce substantial partnerships.
Sri Lanka’s total was also affected by 29 extras, including wides, no-balls, byes and leg-byes. Although those additional runs helped the visitors reach 182, they also reflected areas where Pakistan’s bowlers could have exercised greater control.
The late overs provided Sri Lanka with an opportunity to push beyond 190, but Pakistan continued to take wickets and restricted the final acceleration. In the end, the target remained within reach for a batting line-up that had several players capable of scoring quickly.
Farhan and Fakhar provide a positive start
Pakistan’s reply began with an opening partnership between Farhan and Fakhar Zaman. The pair added 54 runs, giving the hosts a solid foundation before Fakhar was dismissed for 21 from 13 deliveries.
Fakhar’s aggressive approach helped Pakistan keep pace with the asking rate during the initial overs. His four boundaries placed pressure on Sri Lanka’s bowlers and ensured that the hosts did not fall behind early in the chase.
After Fakhar’s departure, Maaz joined Farhan at the crease. The partnership that followed became the defining phase of the match, as the two batters combined controlled aggression with effective running between the wickets.
Farhan took responsibility for the chase, selecting his attacking options carefully while continuing to find boundaries. His innings was built around timing and placement as much as power, allowing him to maintain momentum without taking unnecessary risks.
Maaz, meanwhile, produced a confident performance in his first T20I appearance. His half-century demonstrated his ability to handle pressure at the international level and gave Pakistan another batter capable of sustaining an aggressive scoring rate.
The 92-run partnership for the second wicket shifted the balance firmly in Pakistan’s favour. It also reduced the pressure on the lower middle order by bringing the required total within reach before the final overs.
Maaz Sadaqat makes a memorable impression
Maaz’s 50 from 29 deliveries was one of the most encouraging aspects of Pakistan’s victory. The young batter struck four fours and three sixes, demonstrating a willingness to attack without losing control of his innings.
His performance was particularly important because Pakistan needed a reliable partner for Farhan after Fakhar’s dismissal. Rather than allowing the required rate to rise, Maaz kept the scoring moving and forced Sri Lanka to adjust its field placements.
The partnership also highlighted the value of combining experience with emerging talent. Farhan’s composure provided stability, while Maaz’s attacking approach helped Pakistan maintain pressure on the opposition.
Maaz’s dismissal in the 14th over did not immediately threaten Pakistan’s position, as Farhan remained at the crease and continued to score freely. However, the visitors briefly regained some momentum by taking further wickets during the closing stages.
Farhan eventually departed in the 18th over after bringing Pakistan close to the target. His dismissal left the lower order with a short but important task, and the hosts needed to avoid losing control during the final moments.
Pakistan finish the chase under pressure
Although Farhan’s innings had placed Pakistan in a strong position, the closing overs were not entirely straightforward. Sri Lanka continued to look for wickets and attempted to force the hosts into mistakes.
The dismissal of Farhan added a degree of tension, but Pakistan’s remaining batters managed the situation effectively. Khawaja Nafay remained unbeaten on 12 from seven balls, providing the finishing contribution as the hosts crossed the line in 18.5 overs.
Pakistan won by four wickets, with seven deliveries remaining. The result reflected the importance of Farhan’s innings and the decisive partnership with Maaz, which had brought the required run rate under control.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers had moments of success, with Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Theekshana taking two wickets each. However, they could not break the Farhan-Maaz partnership early enough to prevent Pakistan from taking control of the contest.
The match also demonstrated the fine margins that often determine T20I results. Sri Lanka’s 182/8 was a challenging total, but Pakistan’s ability to build partnerships and maintain scoring momentum ultimately made the difference.
Series remains open ahead of second T20I
The second match of the three-game series is scheduled to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, October 11. Sri Lanka will aim to level the contest, while Pakistan will look to strengthen their position with another victory.
For the hosts, Farhan’s performance provides an encouraging foundation. His ability to lead from the front with the bat will be important as Pakistan seek to establish greater consistency in the shortest format.
Maaz’s contribution also offers a positive sign for Pakistan’s batting depth. Young players who can handle international pressure and contribute meaningful runs provide teams with additional options when established batters are dismissed.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, can take encouragement from Udara’s outstanding innings. His 91 demonstrated that the visitors possess the ability to produce substantial individual performances, but the team will need greater contributions from the rest of the batting order.
The visitors may also look to improve their bowling execution, particularly in the middle overs, when Farhan and Maaz were able to build their partnership with limited interruption.
Pakistan’s victory has given the series an early competitive edge. With two matches remaining, Sri Lanka have an opportunity to respond, while the hosts will seek to turn their opening success into a series triumph.