Farhan, Maaz Power Pakistan to Four-Wicket Win Over Sri Lanka in T20I Opener

RAWALPINDI: Sahibzada Farhan marked his first T20I as Pakistan captain with a match-winning 89, while Maaz Sadaqat contributed a rapid half-century as the hosts chased down Sri Lanka’s 182-8 to win the opening match of the three-game series by four wickets at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Pakistan reached the target with seven balls remaining to take a 1-0 lead. The two sides will meet again at the same venue on Sunday for the second T20I.

Chasing 183, Pakistan made an aggressive start through Fakhar Zaman and Farhan, who added 54 runs in just five overs. Eshan Malinga ended their opening stand by removing Fakhar on the first ball of the sixth over. The left-hander scored 21 off 13 balls, hitting four boundaries.

Maaz joined Farhan at the crease and immediately maintained the scoring momentum. The pair dominated the Sri Lankan bowling attack with a 92-run partnership for the second wicket, with both batters completing their half-centuries.

Maheesh Theekshana eventually broke the stand in the 14th over, trapping Maaz lbw for an entertaining 50 off 29 deliveries. His innings included four fours and three sixes.

Pakistan briefly lost control of the chase as Hasan Nawaz departed for one and Saim Ayub managed only eight, leaving the hosts at 156-4. However, Farhan continued to anchor the innings and brought Pakistan close to the finish line before Nuwan Thushara dismissed him in the 18th over.

The Pakistan captain struck 89 from 53 balls, smashing 10 fours and four sixes, to finish as the innings’ leading scorer and claim the Player of the Match award.

Sri Lanka found another opportunity when Malinga dismissed Shadab Khan for a duck early in the penultimate over. However, Khawaja Nafay ensured there would be no further drama, launching the fifth ball of the over for six to seal Pakistan’s victory. Nafay remained unbeaten on 12.

Theekshana and Malinga claimed two wickets apiece for Sri Lanka, while Dushmantha Chameera and Thushara picked up one each.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 182-8 after being asked to bat, with opener Lahiru Udara leading the visitors’ recovery with an impressive 91.

Pakistan made an early breakthrough when captain Kusal Mendis fell for one in the opening over. Debutant fast bowler Muhammad Imran then dismissed Kamil Mishara for six in the fourth over, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 18-2.

Udara and Kamindu Mendis responded with a 60-run partnership for the third wicket to rebuild the innings. Their stand ended in the 10th over when Saim Ayub removed Kamindu, who scored 23 off 18 balls, including four boundaries.

Sri Lanka’s problems continued in the following over as Imran sent Sahan Arachchige back for one, reducing the visitors to 83-4.

Udara then found valuable support from Dasun Shanaka. The pair added 57 runs from just 28 deliveries, giving Sri Lanka the momentum they needed in the middle overs. Shadab broke the partnership in the 16th over by dismissing Shanaka for 18 off 15 balls, an innings featuring two sixes.

Udara continued his assault alongside Dunith Wellalage, with the pair adding 27 runs for the sixth wicket. Naseem Shah struck twice during the penultimate over to remove both batters, dismissing Wellalage for five before ending Udara’s outstanding innings.

Udara’s 91 came off 55 deliveries and included 11 fours and one six, making him the standout performer for Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s debutant Razaullah claimed his maiden T20I wicket on the first ball of the final over, catching and bowling Theekshana for one. Sri Lanka added 10 runs in the remaining deliveries to finish on 182-8.

Naseem led Pakistan’s bowling effort with three wickets for 36 runs in his four overs. Imran impressed on debut with two wickets, while Saim, Shadab and Razaullah took one wicket each.