Sports Bulletin Report
Rawalpindi: Sahibzada Farhan scored a match-winning 89 as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday evening.
The win gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second T20I scheduled at the same venue on Sunday, 11 October.
Chasing 183 to win, Pakistan achieved the target in 18.5 overs, courtesy of Farhan’s 53-ball 89, which included 10 fours and four sixes. Leading Pakistan for the first time in T20Is in a bilateral series, Sahibzada was adjudged player of the match for his outstanding batting display.
Sahibzada and Fakhar Zaman provided Pakistan a solid start, stitching a 54-run opening partnership. Fakhar contributed 21 off 13 balls, including four boundaries, before departing in the sixth over.
Sahibzada then joined Maaz Sadaqat as the pair added 92 runs for the second wicket to put Pakistan in a commanding position. Maaz struck four fours and three sixes in his 29-ball 50 before being dismissed in the 14th over.
Sahibzada departed in the 18th over, while Khawaja Nafay remained unbeaten on 12 off seven balls as Pakistan completed the chase.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 182 for eight in 20 overs. Lahiru Udara top-scored with 91 off 55 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah returned figures of three for 36, while T20I debutant Mohammad Imran bagged two wickets for 21 runs in four overs.
Razaullah, who also made his T20I debut, Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan took one wicket apiece.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Sri Lanka 182-8, 20 overs (Lahiru Udara 91; Naseem Shah 3-36, Mohammad Imran 2-21)
Pakistan 187-6, 18.5 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 89, Maaz Sadaqat 50; Eshan Malinga 2-33, Maheesh Theekshana 2-36)
Player of the match – Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)
