Pakistan Beats Sri Lanka by 82 Runs to Seal T20I Series

Pakistan secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka with an 82-run victory in Rawalpindi on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Maaz Sadaqat scored 96 and captain Sahibzada Farhan added 73 as Pakistan posted 215-3 before fast bowler Mohammad Imran claimed three wickets to restrict Sri Lanka to 133-7, according to the Associated Press. The victory followed Pakistan's four-wicket win in the opening match and gave the hosts control of the series ahead of the final T20I on Tuesday.

Pakistan's total of 215-3 was their highest T20I score at home, surpassing the 208-3 they recorded against West Indies in 2021, according to ESPNcricinfo. Sadaqat and Farhan both recorded their second consecutive half-centuries, although missed catching opportunities helped them build their innings. Pakistan's highest overall T20 score remains 232-6 against England in 2021, according to the Associated Press.

Sadaqat, who had also recorded consecutive centuries in the Caribbean Premier League, said he wanted to capitalize on his strong form.

"I was trying to make the most of my form. I had belief in myself that I can hit the ball … I play with positive intent and pick my balls to hit boundaries," Sadaqat said. Sri Lanka's fielding errors proved costly during the opening overs. Maheesh Theekshana dropped a difficult chance to dismiss Farhan at midwicket, while Sineth Jayawardene failed to hold a more straightforward catch when the Pakistan captain was on 11.

Farhan went on to strike five sixes and four boundaries before Theekshana caught him in the 15th over. Sadaqat also survived a missed return catch by Nuwan Thushara when he had scored 44, eventually finishing with seven sixes and six boundaries before Eshan Malinga dismissed him on the final delivery. Pakistan's bowlers then dismantled Sri Lanka's chase.

Salman Mirza, the only change to Pakistan's lineup from the first match, had Lahiru Udara caught behind in the opening over. Imran followed with three wickets, dismissing Sineth Jayawardene for 22, captain Kusal Mendis for nine and Sahan Arachchige for a duck.

Imran finished with figures of 3-11 from four overs, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 49-4 in the eighth over. The visitors never recovered, with Theekshana making an unbeaten 32 off 26 balls and Chamindu Wickramasinghe contributing 29 off 24. Mendis acknowledged that Sri Lanka's batting performance fell short of expectations on a surface favorable to scoring.

He also pointed to the team's fielding struggles across the first two matches. "Batters need to take responsibility including me. It was a batting pitch and we needed to score 200 runs at least … We have done well in terms of fielding in the last few tournaments but unfortunately we have not been up to the mark in the last two matches," Mendis said.

ESPNcricinfo reported that Sri Lanka had won only two of their 14 T20Is since their victory over Australia at the 2026 T20 World Cup, including a win against Bangladesh at the Asian Games. The team has continued to struggle despite changes in leadership, coaching and batting combinations.

Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan led the series run charts after scoring 89 and 73 in the first two matches. Sadaqat's consecutive high scores have also strengthened his position in the batting lineup, while Sri Lanka's Lahiru Udara had earlier made 91 off 55 balls in the opening match. Pakistan could consider introducing left-arm wristspinner Sufyan Moqim for the final game after legspinner Abrar Ahmed's modest performances.

Sri Lanka may also adjust their bowling attack, with V Viyaskanth a possible option, while Dushmantha Chameera could return if fit. The third T20I is scheduled for Tuesday in Rawalpindi. England will subsequently join Pakistan and Sri Lanka for an ODI tri-series beginning the following Sunday, according to the Associated Press.