Sahibzada Farhan’s 89 Powers Pakistan to Four-Wicket Win Over Sri Lanka
Pakistan captain leads successful 183-run chase as Maaz Sadaqat’s maiden T20I half-century seals victory in Rawalpindi
Sahibzada Farhan celebrates his match-winning innings against Sri Lanka in the opening T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan began their three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka with a four-wicket victory at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. Sahibzada Farhan marked his first match as full-time T20I captain with a brilliant 89 as the hosts chased down a target of 183 with seven balls remaining.
Farhan smashed 10 fours and four sixes in his 53-ball innings, while Maaz Sadaqat delivered a maiden T20I half-century to strengthen Pakistan’s position. Their 92-run partnership for the second wicket proved crucial as Pakistan reached 187-6 in 18.5 overs.
Pakistan started the chase aggressively, with Farhan and Fakhar Zaman adding 54 runs for the opening wicket. Fakhar scored 21 off 13 balls, including four boundaries, before Eshan Malinga dismissed him during the final over of the powerplay. Pakistan had already raced to 70-1.
Maaz continued the attacking approach, punishing loose deliveries and keeping the required run rate under control. He swept Maheesh Theekshana for four before Farhan struck the spinner for six as Pakistan crossed 100 in the 10th over.
The left-hander maintained the pressure by launching Dunith Wellalage over long-on for six. Farhan then completed his half-century from 33 deliveries, while Maaz reached his maiden T20I fifty in just 21 balls during the 13th over. His 29-ball innings featured four fours and three sixes.
Farhan intensified the attack against Theekshana in the 14th over, striking a six and two boundaries. However, Theekshana ended Maaz’s innings by trapping him leg-before-wicket, leaving Pakistan at 146-2.
Sri Lanka briefly fought back when Hasan Nawaz fell for one against Dushmantha Chameera and Theekshana bowled Saim Ayub for eight. Pakistan slipped to 156-4, but Farhan remained firmly in control.
The captain broke the pressure in the 18th over against Nuwan Thushara, finding the boundary through square leg before launching a full toss over extra cover for six. Farhan departed for 89 on the following delivery, caught by Sahan Arachchige in the deep, with Pakistan needing only four runs to win.
Shadab Khan was dismissed for a duck, but Khawaja Nafay ensured a comfortable finish. He remained unbeaten on 12 from seven balls, including a six over long-on, as Pakistan completed the chase in 18.5 overs. Mohammad Imran finished not out on nought.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 182-8 after winning the toss and electing to bat. Lahiru Udara led their innings with an impressive 91 off 55 balls, striking 11 fours and one six.
Pakistan’s bowlers made an early impact. Naseem Shah dismissed Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis for one in the opening over, while debutant Mohammad Imran removed Kamil Mishara for six.
Udara responded with an attacking partnership alongside Kamindu Mendis, adding 60 runs for the third wicket. Kamindu contributed 23 off 18 balls, hitting four boundaries, before Saim Ayub dismissed him through a catch by Fakhar at long-off. Two deliveries later, Sahan Arachchige fell for one after Shadab took a sharp catch at point off Imran.
Udara reached his maiden T20I half-century in 32 balls and continued to score freely. Dasun Shanaka added 18 from 15 deliveries, including two sixes, before Fakhar caught him off Shadab with Sri Lanka at 140-5.
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Udara survived a missed opportunity on 77 when Abrar Ahmed misjudged a high catch. However, his impressive innings ended nine runs short of a century when Naseem had him caught by Hasan at long-on on the final ball of the 19th over.
Naseem finished with figures of 3-36 from four overs, while Imran claimed 2-21. Razaullah took his maiden T20I wicket in the final over by dismissing Theekshana for one. Chameera struck a boundary off a free hit to help Sri Lanka finish on 182-8.
Despite Udara’s outstanding contribution, Pakistan’s aggressive batting proved decisive. Farhan’s commanding leadership and Maaz’s rapid half-century gave the hosts a winning start, while Sri Lanka struggled to contain the scoring during the middle overs.
