Abrar, Salman Rattle Sri Lanka Before Farhan Finishes the Job

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan launched their T20I series against Sri Lanka in emphatic fashion, producing a clinical all-round display to seal a commanding victory in the opening match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest target of 129, the Green Shirts made light work of the task, cruising home with four wickets in hand and 20 balls to spare, thanks largely to a fluent half-century from opener Sahibzada Farhan.

Pakistan’s reply began with intent as Farhan and Saim Ayub tore into the Sri Lankan bowling during the powerplay. The pair raced to a brisk 59-run opening stand, setting the tone for the chase.

Ayub’s aggressive cameo of 24 off just 18 balls, featuring three boundaries and a towering six, ended when Maheesh Theekshana struck just before the powerplay concluded.

Farhan continued to anchor the innings and found brief but effective support from captain Salman Ali Agha. Their 25-run partnership steadied Pakistan after the first breakthrough, but both fell in quick succession, briefly raising Sri Lankan hopes with the score at 101/3.

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Farhan departed as Pakistan’s top scorer, having compiled a polished 51 off 36 balls, decorated with four fours and two sixes, while Agha chipped in with a lively 16 from 11 deliveries.

Sri Lanka clawed back another wicket when Fakhar Zaman was stumped in the 14th over, leaving Pakistan needing 23 runs. Any lingering tension was swiftly extinguished by Usman Khan and Shadab Khan, who calmly guided the chase to its conclusion.

Shadab finished unbeaten on 18 off 12 balls, while Usman added a watchful seven not out as Pakistan crossed the line in the 17th over.

Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers laid the foundation for victory with a ruthless performance that saw Sri Lanka bundled out for 128 in 19.2 overs.

The innings never truly recovered from a disastrous start that saw openers Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka dismissed inside the powerplay with just 15 runs on the board.

Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva attempted to rebuild, but their resistance was short-lived as Sri Lanka slumped to 38/4 by the seventh over. Janith Liyanage then emerged as the lone bright spark for the hosts, playing a courageous knock under pressure.

Batting at No.6, he stitched together vital partnerships with Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga, both worth 18 runs, to give Sri Lanka a fighting chance.

Liyanage’s valiant 40 off 31 balls, including two fours and a six, finally ended in the 18th over, but Pakistan tightened the noose soon after.

Salman Mirza struck twice in the penultimate over, removing skipper Dasun Shanaka and Dushmantha Chameera, before Mohammad Wasim Jr wrapped up the innings in the final over.

Abrar Ahmed and Salman Mirza spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling effort with three wickets apiece, while Shadab Khan and Wasim Jr provided crucial support with two each.

With a dominant performance in both departments, Pakistan have seized early momentum in the three-match series, leaving Sri Lanka searching for answers ahead of the second T20I.