Farhan Wants Pakistan to Stay Aggressive After Series-Opening T20I Win Over Sri Lanka
Farhan Wants Pakistan to Stay Aggressive After Series-Opening T20I Win Over Sri Lanka
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan has backed his side to keep the aggressive approach after Sri Lanka T20I win in Friday’s series opener in Rawalpindi, urging the batters to play the same fearless cricket in the remaining two matches of the series.
Pakistan chased down a 183-run target with seven balls to spare on Friday night, finishing on 187 for six in 18.5 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Farhan led from the front with 89 off 53 balls, while Maaz Sadaqat announced himself with a maiden T20I half-century, 50 off just 29 deliveries.
Speaking after the win, Farhan praised Sadaqat for holding his nerve on the big stage, credited Fakhar Zaman for his contribution at the top of the order, and singled out debutant Imran Randhawa for praise on his first senior appearance, Geo Super reported.
Backing the aggressive approach after Sri Lanka T20I win
The captain made it clear that Pakistan would not dial back the intent that carried them past Sri Lanka in the opener. He wants the top order to keep taking the attack to the bowlers from the first over, a plan the team executed through the middle overs of the chase.
He had set the same tone before the series began. “I want the top order to bat according to the T20 mindset. Pakistan’s top-order batters play aggressively, just as I do,” Farhan said at the pre-series press conference in Rawalpindi. He added: “T20 cricket has become very fast. We will try to apply that mindset in the series.”
How the chase unfolded
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, setting Pakistan 183 to win. The chase wobbled midway before Farhan and Sadaqat steadied it with a match-turning stand.
Farhan’s 89 came off 53 balls and held the innings together, while Sadaqat’s maiden fifty took only 29 deliveries as Pakistan got home with four wickets in hand. Razaullah and Imran Randhawa both made their T20I debuts in the match.
New captain, new template
The win was Farhan’s first as Pakistan’s T20I captain in a home series. He took over the leadership from Salman Ali Agha, who was left out of the 15-player squad named for the Sri Lanka series.
Pakistan came into the series after winning the silver medal in the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games, and the new captain has made his philosophy clear from the start: bat positively and back the batters to score quickly.
What comes next
The second T20I will be played in Rawalpindi on Sunday, October 11, with the third and final match of the series scheduled for October 13. A series victory would give Farhan a winning start to his captaincy tenure on home soil.
Frequently asked questions
When is the second Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I?
The second T20I takes place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, October 11. The third and final match of the series is scheduled for October 13.
Who is Pakistan’s T20I captain?
Sahibzada Farhan. He replaced Salman Ali Agha, who was left out of the 15-player squad named for the Sri Lanka series.
How did Pakistan win the first T20I against Sri Lanka?
Pakistan chased down Sri Lanka’s 183-run target, finishing on 187 for six in 18.5 overs for a four-wicket win. Farhan scored 89 off 53 balls and Maaz Sadaqat made a maiden T20I fifty, 50 off 29 deliveries.
Related
- Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in first T20I as Farhan, Maaz star in 183 chase
- Sri Lanka bat first as Razaullah and Imran Randhawa debut in Pakistan T20I series opener
- West Indies beat India in Ranchi with record 250-run chase to level T20I series
- Tanzid’s blazing 83 and Litton’s fifty lift Bangladesh to 317 for eight on day one in Abu Dhabi
