Summary Naseem Shah takes three wickets as debutant Muhammad Imran claims two
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets in the opening T20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, with captain Sahibzada Farhan's commanding 89 and Maaz Sadaqat's half-century powering the hosts to a successful chase of 183.
After Sri Lanka posted 182/8 in their allotted 20 overs, Pakistan reached the target despite a late wobble, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Farhan struck 89 off 53 deliveries, while Sadaqat contributed 50 from 29 balls as the pair added 92 runs for the second wicket to put Pakistan firmly on course for victory.
Farhan, Sadaqat dominate
Pakistan made a flying start to their chase, with Farhan and Fakhar Zaman adding 54 runs in the opening five overs. Fakhar scored 21 off 13 balls before Eshan Malinga dismissed him, bringing Sadaqat to the crease.
The left-hander joined Farhan in an aggressive partnership that put Sri Lanka's bowlers under pressure. Sadaqat reached his half-century off 29 deliveries, striking three sixes and four fours, before Maheesh Theekshana trapped him lbw.
Farhan brought up his fifty from 33 balls and continued to anchor the innings, finding the boundary regularly as Pakistan moved towards the target.
Sri Lanka briefly revived their hopes by taking three wickets in quick succession, reducing Pakistan from 144/1 to 156/4 in the 16th over. Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub fell to Dushmantha Chameera and Theekshana respectively.
Farhan remained the key figure in the chase, scoring four sixes and 10 fours before his dismissal for 89 with only four runs required.
Shadab Khan also departed, but Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Imran held their nerve to take Pakistan across the line for a four-wicket victory.
For Sri Lanka, Theekshana and Malinga claimed two wickets each, while Chameera and Nuwan Thushara took one apiece.
Naseem, Imran impress
Earlier, Sri Lanka struggled at the start of their innings after winning the toss and electing to bat. Naseem Shah struck in the opening over, dismissing captain Kusal Mendis for one run.
Kamil Mishara followed for six, falling to Pakistan debutant Muhammad Imran as Sri Lanka slipped to 18/2 in the fourth over.
Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis then rebuilt the innings with a 60-run partnership for the third wicket. Saim Ayub broke the stand in the 10th over, dismissing Kamindu for 23 off 18 balls, including four boundaries.
Imran struck again in the following over, removing Sahan Arachchige to leave the visitors at 83/4 after 10.1 overs.
Udara found support from Dasun Shanaka, with the pair adding 57 runs off 34 balls for the fifth wicket. Udara continued to score through the lower order, helping Sri Lanka move beyond 170 before Naseem ended his innings.
Sri Lanka finished on 182/8 in 20 overs, with Pakistan conceding 26 extras.
Naseem returned figures of 3/36 from four overs, while debutant Imran produced an outstanding return of 2/2. Saim, Abrar Ahmed and Razaullah also claimed a wicket each.
Series continues in Rawalpindi
The victory gives Pakistan an early advantage in the three-match T20I series. The second match will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 11, with the third and final encounter scheduled for October 13.
Following the T20I series, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will join England in an ODI tri-series running from October 18 to 31, with matches scheduled in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
