Farhan fifty powers Pakistan past Sri Lanka T20I

Pakistan began their three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka in emphatic fashion, defeating the hosts comfortably in the opening match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest target of 129 runs, the Green Shirts reached the total with four wickets down and 20 deliveries remaining, thanks largely to a composed half-century by opener Sahibzada Farhan.

Pakistan’s innings got off to a strong start as Farhan and Saim Ayub stitched together a brisk 59-run opening partnership. The stand was broken late in the powerplay when Maheesh Theekshana bowled Ayub, who scored an aggressive 24 off 18 balls, including three boundaries and a six.

Farhan continued to anchor the chase and later added 25 runs for the second wicket with captain Salman Ali Agha. Both batters were dismissed in quick succession, but by then Pakistan were firmly in control at 101 for three.

The right-handed opener top-scored with a fluent 51 from 36 deliveries, hitting four fours and two sixes, while Agha contributed a quick 16 off 11 balls, ensuring Pakistan crossed the line without any late hiccups.

Pakistan then suffered another setback to their pursuit as Fakhar Zaman was stumped off returning Dhananjaya de Silva in the 14th over after mustering five off 10 deliveries.

🇵🇰 Pakistan win the opener of the 3-match T20I series on Sri Lanka’s home turf 🏏#SLvPAK #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/6kYiObaARy

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 7, 2026

With 23 runs still required, wicketkeeper batter Usman Khan and all-rounder Shadab Khan batted sensibly to put together a match-winning partnership and steered Pakistan over the line in the 17th over.

Shadab made an unbeaten 18 off 12 deliveries, while Usman scored seven not out from 13 balls.

For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Theekshana and de Silva could pick up a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed took three wickets each as Pakistan bowled out Sri Lanka for 128 in 19.2 overs.

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Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start to their innings as they lost both their openers, Kamil Mishara (zero) and Pathum Nissanka, inside the batting powerplay with just 15 runs on the board.

Wicketkeeper batter Kusal Mendis (14) and returning Dhananjaya de Silva (10) attempted to stabilise the innings by putting together 22 runs for the third wicket before both perished in quick succession, bringing the total down to 38/4 in 6.5 overs.

Following the back-to-back dismissals, Janith Liyanage walked out to bat at No.6 and took the reins of Sri Lanka’s batting expedition with a gutsy knock.

The batting all-rounder was involved in two crucial partnerships with Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga, both 18, until eventually falling victim to Abrar Ahmed in the 18th over.

He remained the top-scorer for the home side with a valiant 40 off 31 deliveries, laced with two fours and a six.

Salman further added to Sri Lanka’s woes in the penultimate over, dismissing their captain Dasun Shanaka (12) and tailender Dushmantha Chameera (zero) and put Pakistan in a commanding position.

Mohammad Wasim Jr inflicted the final blow to Sri Lanka on the second delivery of the final over by getting No.10 Maheesh Theekshana caught behind.

Abrar and Salman jointly led Pakistan’s bowling charge with three wickets each, followed by Shadab Khan and Wasim Jr bagged two each.