Farhan and Sadaqat Lead Pakistan to T20I Win Over Sri Lanka

Pakistan opened their T20I series against Sri Lanka with a four-wicket victory in Rawalpindi, chasing a target of 183 after scoring 187 for 6. Captain Sahibzada Farhan led the pursuit with 89 off 53 balls, while Maaz Sadaqat contributed 50 from 28 deliveries to help Pakistan take a 1-0 series lead. According to the match scorecard, Sri Lanka posted 182 for 8 after winning the toss and choosing to bat.

Lahiru Udara top-scored with 91 off 55 balls, but Pakistan's bowlers restricted the contributions from the other batters and kept the target within reach. Farhan and Sadaqat then combined for a 92-run partnership that transformed Pakistan's chase. Pakistan raced to 70 runs in the powerplay, establishing an early advantage that Sri Lanka struggled to counter.

Fakhar Zaman also contributed during the opening phase of the innings. Pakistan maintained the scoring pressure throughout the chase, overcoming the loss of six wickets to reach 187 and secure victory.

Pakistan's bowling performance featured important contributions from Mohammad Imran and Naseem Shah, although the attack conceded 29 extras. Imran finished with 2 wickets for 21 runs on his T20I debut, while Naseem claimed 3 for 36. Imran opened the bowling alongside Naseem and conceded just one run in his first over, according to the match report. He gave away 19 runs across three powerplay overs before returning later in the innings to claim another wicket and slow Sri Lanka's progress.

Naseem's three-wicket haul provided Pakistan with another key contribution as Sri Lanka attempted to build momentum. Imran's figures of 2 for 21 made him one of Pakistan's most effective bowlers in the match. Udara provided the foundation for Sri Lanka's total, scoring 91 while navigating the loss of wickets around him. His innings included attacking strokes against both pace and spin, helping Sri Lanka recover after a difficult start.

Sri Lanka struggled to capitalize on the powerplay, reaching the end of the fourth over at a run-a-ball while already having lost two wickets. Kamil Mishara also took nine deliveries to score his first run, reflecting the difficulties Sri Lanka faced early in their innings. Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka offered Udara some support, but neither partnership developed into a sustained recovery.

Sri Lanka lost three wickets in five deliveries after Udara was dismissed in the penultimate over, leaving the innings at 182 for 8. Pakistan's contrasting start with the bat proved decisive. The hosts matched Sri Lanka's early scoring rate within 2.2 overs and had surged to 70 runs by the end of the sixth over, creating the platform for their successful chase.