Pakistan sealed an unassailable 2–0 T20I series victory over Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, riding on an explosive batting display from Maaz Sadaqat (96) and Sahibzada Farhan (73) before a clinical spell from fast bowler Mohammad Imran (3–11) completed an 82-run victory.
Posting a formidable 215 for 3, Pakistan’s top order produced a relentless second-half blitz, harvesting 156 runs in their final 12 overs. In response, Sri Lanka’s top order folded under high-tempo pace bowling, limping to 133 for 7 at the end of their 20 overs.
Sadaqat’s Power-Hitting Shift
Pakistan stood at a steady 55 for 1 after 7 overs before Sadaqat transformed the tempo of the innings. After a cautious start, the young left-hander launched Eshan Malinga over the square leg fence in the 10th over to trigger an all-out assault.
Sadaqat’s knock featured 7 sixes and 6 fours, targeting the straight boundaries against both seam and spin. In the 16th over, he took aim at Maheesh Theekshana, clearing the long-on and midwicket ropes three times in a single over. Of the 125 runs Pakistan added in the second half of their innings, 79 came off 40 balls from Sadaqat’s bat alone.
Falling just short of a maiden T20I century, Sadaqat was caught on the deep cover boundary off a Malinga slower ball on the final delivery of the innings.
Farhan Sets the Launchpad
Captain Sahibzada Farhan laid the structural groundwork early on, targeting Sri Lanka’s spin attack to keep the scoring rate elevated. Farhan brought up his 12th T20I half-century off 31 balls, using slog-sweeps off Theekshana before expanding his range against the seamers.
Farhan’s 73 off 44 balls provided the platform for two massive late-innings stands: a 73-run partnership with Sadaqat, followed by a rapid 72-run stand between Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz.
Imran and Pace Attack Demolish Sri Lanka Chase
Sri Lanka’s pursuit faltered immediately in the Powerplay. Fast bowler Salman Mirza struck in the opening over, extracting gloves from Lahiru Udara for 5. By the end of the 6th over, Sri Lanka were restricted to 35 for 2.
Mohammad Imran then delivered a game-defining four-over spell, finishing with figures of 3 for 11:
- Kusal Mendis caught behind off a slower delivery.
- Sahan Arachchige edged an angled delivery behind two balls later.
- Khawaja Nafay executed two diving catches behind the stumps to back up the bowling unit.
Imran’s control of line, length, and pace variations left Sri Lanka needing over 15 runs an over by the 10th over mark. Despite late unbeaten hitting from Maheesh Theekshana (32*), Sri Lanka finished well short of the target as Pakistan closed out the series in dominant style.
