Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, chasing down a target of 183. Captain Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 89, and Maaz Sadaqat’s half-century gave the chase the platform it needed.
The result gives the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I: How the Chase Unfolded
Pakistan started quickly. Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put on 54 runs in the first five overs, and Fakhar fell for 21 off 13 balls to Eshan Malinga.
Sadaqat then joined his captain, and the pair added 92 runs for the second wicket while scoring freely. Sadaqat made 50 off 29 balls, with three sixes and four fours, before Maheesh Theekshana trapped him lbw.
Sri Lanka hit back with three quick wickets, and Pakistan slid from 144-1 to 156-4 in the 16th over. Hasan Nawaz was dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera and Saim Ayub by Theekshana, and neither made an impact.
Farhan Steers Pakistan Home
Farhan reached his fifty off 33 balls and kept the chase on course. He finished with 89 off 53 deliveries, including four sixes and 10 fours, and was out in the 19th over with only four runs needed.
Shadab Khan, who came in at number seven, also fell before the end. Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Imran then saw Pakistan over the line.
For Sri Lanka, Theekshana and Malinga took two wickets each, while Chameera and Nuwan Thushara claimed one apiece.
Sri Lanka’s Innings
Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first, but the start was shaky. Naseem Shah dismissed Kusal Mendis for one in the opening over. Kamil Mishara then fell for six to debutant Muhammad Imran, leaving the visitors at 18-2 in the fourth over.
Opener Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis steadied things with a 60-run stand for the third wicket. Saim Ayub ended it in the 10th over, removing Kamindu for 23 off 18 balls, a knock that included four boundaries. Imran struck again in the next over, dismissing Sahan Arachchige to make it 83-4 after 10.1 overs.
Udara and Dasun Shanaka put on 57 off 34 balls for the fifth wicket. Udara then worked with the lower order to take the total past 170 before Naseem ended his innings. Chameera and Malinga added 10 runs in the final over, and Sri Lanka finished on 182-8.
Naseem was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with 3 for 36 in his four overs, while Imran returned figures of 2 for 2. Saim, Abrar and Razaullah took a wicket each. Pakistan also gave away 26 extras.
What’s Next in the T20I Series
The next two matches will be played at the same venue on October 11 and 13. Sri Lanka will need to win to keep the series alive.
