RAWALPINDI: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing 183, Pakistan were powered by captain Sahibzada Farhan’s 89 and Maaz Sadaqat’s brisk half-century as the hosts completed the chase in the 19th over.
Pakistan made a flying start, with openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman smashing 54 runs in the first five overs. Fakhar was dismissed by Eshan Malinga for 21 off 13 balls, bringing Sadaqat to the crease.
Farhan and Sadaqat then added 92 runs for the second wicket, scoring freely to keep Pakistan ahead in the chase. Sadaqat made 50 off 29 balls, hitting three sixes and four fours, before he was trapped lbw by Maheesh Theekshana.
Sri Lanka fought back with quick wickets as Pakistan slipped from 144-1 to 156-4 in the 16th over. Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub failed to make an impact, falling to Dushmantha Chameera and Theekshana, respectively.
Farhan, who reached his half-century off 33 balls, went on to score 89 off 53 deliveries. His innings included four sixes and 10 fours before he was dismissed with just four runs required.
Shadab Khan, batting at number seven, was also dismissed before Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Imran guided Pakistan to victory.
For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga took two wickets each, while Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara claimed one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Sri Lanka elected to bat after winning the toss but made a shaky start, losing two wickets for 18 runs in the fourth over. Naseem Shah struck in the opening over, dismissing Kusal Mendis for one.
Kamil Mishara was also removed cheaply for six by debutant Muhammad Imran. Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis then steadied the innings with a 60-run partnership for the third wicket.
Saim Ayub broke the stand in the 10th over, removing Kamindu Mendis for 23 off 18 balls, including four boundaries. Imran struck again in the next over, dismissing Sahan Arachchige as Sri Lanka reached 83-4 after 10.1 overs.
Udara and Dasun Shanaka added 57 runs off 34 balls for the fifth wicket before Udara combined with the lower-order batters to take Sri Lanka past 170. Naseem later ended Udara’s impressive innings.
Dushmantha Chameera and Eshan Malinga scored 10 runs in the final over as Sri Lanka finished at 182-8 in 20 overs.
For Pakistan, Naseem claimed three wickets for 36 runs in four overs, while Imran finished with figures of 2-2. Saim, Abrar and Razaullah took one wicket each. Pakistan also conceded 26 extras.
The remaining two matches of the series will be played at the same venue on October 11 and 13.
