Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in first T20I as Farhan, Maaz star in 183 chase
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in first T20I as Farhan, Maaz star in 183 chase
The Pakistan Sri Lanka first T20I ended in a four-wicket win for the hosts, as skipper Sahibzada Farhan (89) led from the front while Maaz Sadaqat (50) smashed his maiden fifty at the Pindi Stadium.
The duo shared 92 runs for the second-wicket stand to enable the hosts to chase the 183-run target with seven balls to spare after losing six wickets in the process.
Pakistan Sri Lanka first T20I: Farhan anchors the chase
Set to chase a seemingly stiff target, Fakhar Zaman and skipper Sahibzada Farhan provided a blistering start to the hosts and brought up their team’s fifty in only five overs.
Medium fast bowler Eshan Malinga eventually gave the breakthrough when he had Fakhar, who edged it to keeper Udara after hitting a 13-ball 21 which featured four fours.
Maaz Sadaqat then joined Farhan, and in the same over the young left-hander hit Eshan for two glorious sixes and a four, as the over yielded 16 runs.
Maaz brought up his maiden fifty off 28 balls, smacking three fours and four sixes. Although Pakistan lost a few quick wickets, Farhan stood like a rock and took his team close to victory before falling.
Farhan, playing his first match as skipper, hammered a 54-ball 89. Khawaja Nafay finished the job with a brisk seven-ball 12 not out, featuring one six. Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets each.
Udara’s 91 lifts Sri Lanka to 182
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s opener Lahiru Udara smashed a blistering 91 off 55 balls to propel the visitors to 182 for eight after opting to bat first.
Udara, who hit his maiden fifty, struck 11 fours and a six, anchoring the Sri Lankan innings after Pakistan made early inroads into the visitors’ batting line-up.
Sri Lanka had a poor start when Naseem Shah got rid of captain Kusal Mendis for one in the first over. Mohammad Imran Randhawa, who made his debut, then removed Kamil Mishara for six as Sri Lanka slipped to 18 for two in the fourth over.
Udara steadied the innings alongside Kamindu Mendis, who scored 23 off 18 deliveries. The pair helped Sri Lanka recover before Saim Ayub dismissed Kamindu at 78 for three.
Imran struck again to remove Sahan Arachchige for one, but Udara continued to attack, reaching his fifty off 32 balls. Dasun Shanaka added momentum with 18 from 15 deliveries, including two sixes, as he shared a useful partnership with Udara to push Sri Lanka beyond 130.
Shanaka fell to Shadab Khan in the 16th over. Naseem returned to dismiss Dunith Wellalage for five before claiming Udara’s wicket on the final ball of the 19th over, ending the opener’s outstanding innings. The dismissal came after Udara had survived a Pakistan review earlier in the innings.
Naseem led Pakistan’s attack as he finished with three for 36 in his quota of four overs. Imran Randhawa impressed on debut with two for 21. Leggie Shadab Khan (one for 33) and Saim Ayub (one for 17) also contributed with one wicket each.
The second match will be held on Sunday at the same venue.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the Pakistan Sri Lanka first T20I?
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets at the Pindi Stadium on Friday night, chasing 183 with seven balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Who starred for Pakistan?
Skipper Sahibzada Farhan hit a 54-ball 89 in his first match as captain, while Maaz Sadaqat smashed a maiden 28-ball fifty. The pair shared a 92-run second-wicket stand.
How did Sri Lanka reach 182?
Opener Lahiru Udara anchored the innings with 91 off 55 balls, including 11 fours and a six. Kamindu Mendis made 23 and Dasun Shanaka 18, but Naseem Shah’s three for 36 and debutant Imran Randhawa’s two for 21 kept Pakistan in control.
When is the second T20I?
The second match of the three-match series will be held on Sunday at the same venue, the Pindi Stadium.
