Mohsin Ali
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan opened the three-match T20I series with a four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, successfully chasing 183 on the back of captain Sahibzada Farhan’s 89 and Maaz Sadaqat’s brisk half-century.
Set a target of 183, Pakistan made a rapid start as openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman struck 54 runs in the first five overs. Fakhar was the first to fall, scoring 21 off 13 balls before Eshan Malinga removed him with the score on 54.
Maaz Sadaqat then joined Farhan and the two batters put Pakistan in control with a 92-run stand for the second wicket. Sadaqat made 50 off 29 deliveries, hitting three sixes and four fours, before Maheesh Theekshana trapped him lbw.
Sri Lanka briefly fought back with three quick wickets as Pakistan slipped from 144-1 to 156-4 in the 16th over. Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub could not make notable contributions, falling to Dushmantha Chameera and Theekshana, respectively.
Farhan, who completed his fifty off 33 balls, continued to anchor the chase and took Pakistan close to victory in the 19th over. The Pakistan captain scored 89 off 53 balls, smashing four sixes and 10 fours, before being dismissed when only four runs were required.
Shadab Khan, batting at number seven, also departed before Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Imran completed the chase for Pakistan.
For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga took two wickets each, while Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara claimed one wicket apiece.
With the win, Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The remaining two T20Is will also be played at the same venue on October 11 and 13.
Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bat first after winning the toss but suffered an early setback, losing two wickets for 18 runs in the fourth over. Naseem Shah struck in the opening over by dismissing Kusal Mendis for one.
Kamil Mishara was also dismissed cheaply for six, with debutant Muhammad Imran sending him back to the pavilion.
Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis then repaired the innings through a 60-run partnership for the third wicket. Saim Ayub broke the stand in the 10th over, removing Kamindu for 23 off 18 balls, an innings that included four boundaries.
Imran struck again in the next over, dismissing Sahan Arachchige as Sri Lanka were reduced to 83-4 after 10.1 overs.
Udara and Dasun Shanaka added 57 runs off 34 balls for the fifth wicket, helping the visitors recover. Udara later batted with the lower order to take Sri Lanka beyond 170 before Naseem ended his impressive innings.
Dushmantha Chameera and Eshan Malinga added 10 runs in the final over as Sri Lanka finished on 182-8 in 20 overs.
For Pakistan, Naseem returned figures of 3-36 in four overs, while Imran finished with 2-2. Saim Ayub, Abrar and Razaullah took one wicket each. Pakistan also conceded 26 extras.
