In Rawalpindi on Saturday, Pakistan clinched a second straight win in the Tri‑nation T20I series, thanks to an unbeaten 80 from Sahibzada Farhan and a sharp bowling performance anchored by Mohammad Nawaz. Pakistan chased Sri Lanka’s 128‑run total in 15.3 overs, easing to a comfortable finish with seven wickets in hand.
Farhan’s 80, hit off just 45 deliveries, guided the nation’s 129‑run target down in 15.3 overs, taking the hosts to the top of the group rankings. The bowlers had earlier bowled out Sri Lanka for 128/7 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a score that was hard to finish.
The next fixture will see Pakistan square up to Zimbabwe at the same venue on Sunday. A victory here will lock in Pakistan’s spot in the tournament final.
At the start of Pakistan’s chase, Farhan and Saim Ayub opened the innings with a blistering partnership, quickly adding 47 runs for the first wicket in five overs. Ayub, who scored 20 runs before being stumped by Kusal Mendis off skipper Dasun Shanaka, also became just the ninth Pakistani to cross the 1,000‑run milestone in T20 internationals. Farhan then added another 69 for the second wicket with former captain Babar Azam, who managed 16 runs with a single six. This partnership propelled Farhan toward his sixth T20I half‑century, which he reached in just 33 balls.
With Dushmantha Chameera taking two early wickets in a row, Farhan kept the momentum alive. He sealed the match with a boundary in the 16th over, finishing with six fours and five sixes. His performance also made him the first Pakistani batter to hit 100 sixes in a calendar year.
Sri Lanka began the innings brightly, as Kamil Mishara knocked two fours and two sixes before being dismissed in the fourth over, leaving the score at 32. Their progress was halted when Mohammad Wasim Jnr took the third run‑out of Kusal Mendis. By the middle of the innings Sri Lanka were 65/3, and the damage mounted further. In the 12th over, Mohammad Nawaz dismissed both Kusal Perera and Dasun Shanaka, sending Sri Lanka to 78/5. He later took Kamindu Mendis in the 14th over, which brought the tally to 86/6.
Janith Liyanage topped Sri Lanka’s batting with 41 off 38 balls, including three fours and a six. He then built a 35‑run partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga over 31 balls, helping the side finish at 128/7 in 20 overs.
Nawaz delivered the star bowling figures, claiming 3 for 16 in four overs. Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed each took a wicket.
The final scorecard: Sri Lanka 128/7 in 20 overs (Liyanage 41, Kusal Perera 25, Kamil Mishara 22; Nawaz 3‑16) – Pakistan 131/3 in 15.3 overs (Farhan 80, Ayub 20; Chameera 2‑29). Pakistan won by seven wickets.
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