Pakistan’s bowlers controlled the night from ball one, restricting Sri Lanka to 128 for 7 before Sahibzada Farhan’s blistering unbeaten 80 off 45 balls wrapped up a seven-wicket victory in just 15.3 overs. The win lifted Pakistan to the top of the Tri-Series standings in Rawalpindi.
Mohammad Nawaz was the standout with the ball, finishing with a superb 3 for 16. His double strike, removing Kusal Perera and Dasun Shanaka off consecutive deliveries, broke Sri Lanka’s backbone and earned him Player of the Match.
It was a complete game. We were very good with both bat and ball. With all-rounders like Nawaz and Faheem, and bowlers such as Wasim Jr. waiting on the bench, it’s tough to make a playing XI. That’s the kind of bench strength we always wanted.
Sri Lanka Falter After Bright Start
Sri Lanka had begun well through Kamil Mishara’s attacking 22, but momentum vanished quickly. A sharp direct hit from Mohammad Wasim Jr. ran out Kusal Mendis, and wickets tumbled in clusters.
From 65 for 3 at halfway, they slid to 78 for 5 as Nawaz ripped through the middle order. Janith Liyanage held firm with an unbeaten 41 and added a 35-run stand with Wanindu Hasaranga, but 128 never looked enough.
We aren’t a team that should perform like this. Since we arrived, we’ve struggled to find rhythm on these pitches. Losing wickets in clusters is hurting us.
Farhan Takes Charge of the Chase
Pakistan’s chase was brisk and assured. Farhan and Saim Ayub launched with a 47-run stand inside five overs, with Saim reaching the 1,000-T20I-run milestone before falling for 20.
Farhan found an ideal ally in Babar Azam during a 69-run stand for the second wicket. He motored to a sixth T20I fifty off 33 balls, striking six fours and five sixes, and also became the first Pakistan batter to hit 100 T20 sixes in a calendar year.
Even when Dushmantha Chameera removed Babar and Salman in successive balls, Farhan kept going, finishing the game with a boundary in the 16th over.
If he bats three or four overs, he can take the game away from any opposition. We’re very close to a perfect XI.
Pakistan One Win Away from Final Spot
With two victories in two, Pakistan now face Zimbabwe on Sunday, another win will book their place in the series final.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 128/7 in 20 overs (Janith Liyanage 41*, Kusal Perera 25; Mohammad Nawaz 3–16) Pakistan 131/3 in 15.3 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 80*, Saim Ayub 20; Dushmantha Chameera 2–29) Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets
