Key Takeaways
- Captain Farhan’s 89 and Maaz’s 50 helped Pakistan win by four wickets.
- Fakhar and Farhan’s 54-run opening partnership set the stage for victory.
- Nafay’s unbeaten 12 secured the target with seven balls to spare.
Captain Sahibzada Farhan’s impressive 89 and Maaz Sadaqat’s half-century were key to Pakistan’s victory over Sri Lanka in the opening T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Chasing 183, Pakistan reached the target with seven balls remaining, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Farhan and Fakhar Zaman started the chase with a 54-run opening partnership, setting a strong foundation for the team.
Fakhar’s 21 off 13 balls was quickly ended by Eshan Malinga in the sixth over, but Maaz joined Farhan for a crucial 92-run stand.
Maaz struck four boundaries and three sixes in his 29-ball 50 before falling lbw to Maheesh Theekshana, but Farhan kept the chase on course.
After Farhan’s dismissal and Shadab Khan’s departure for a duck, Khawaja Nafay finished the chase with a six, remaining unbeaten on 12.
Earlier, Lahiru Udara’s 91 off 55 balls helped Sri Lanka reach 182/8, despite an early slip to 18/2.
Udara shared important partnerships with Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka to rebuild the innings.
Pakistan’s Naseem Shah led the bowling with 3/36, while debutant Muhammad Imran took two wickets. Saim Ayub, Shadab, and debutant Razaullah claimed one each.
