Farhan's 89 Powers Pakistan Past Sri Lanka in 1st T20I

Captain Sahibzada Farhan smashed a match-winning 89 off 53 balls as Pakistan chased down Sri Lanka's 182 to win the first T20I by four wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. The victory gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series after a tense chase that went deep into the 19th over.

Sri Lanka's Shaky Start, Udara's Rescue Act

Sri Lanka's decision to bat first after winning the toss looked shaky almost immediately. Naseem Shah struck in the opening over, dismissing new Test captain Kusal Mendis for just one run. Debutant Muhammad Imran then sent back Kamil Mishara for six, leaving the visitors reeling at two wickets for 18 runs inside the fourth over.

Lahiru Udara staged the rescue. The batter smashed 90 runs, hitting 11 fours and a six, to power Sri Lanka to a competitive 182 for 8 — setting Pakistan a target of 183.

A Blistering Start to the Chase

Pakistan's openers came out swinging. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman smashed 54 runs in the first five overs, giving the hosts a flying start. Fakhar departed for 21 off 13 balls to Eshan Malinga, but the real damage was yet to come.

Farhan was joined by Maaz Sadaqat, and the pair put on a 92-run stand for the second wicket. Sadaqat played with freedom, hammering 50 off just 29 balls — including three sixes and four fours — before being trapped lbw by Maheesh Theekshana. Farhan brought up his half-century off 33 balls and kept the required rate under control with a blend of power and placement.

The Late Wobble Before the Finish

Sri Lanka refused to go away quietly. Three quick wickets between overs 15 and 16 turned a comfortable cruise into a nervous finish. Pakistan slipped from 144 for 1 to 156 for 4 in the 16th over as Hasan Nawaz fell to Dushmantha Chameera and Saim Ayub was dismissed by Theekshana.

Farhan fell for 89 — dismissed with just four runs needed — after striking four sixes and 10 fours in a captain's knock that had steered Pakistan almost all the way home. Shadab Khan, promoted to number seven, was also dismissed, but Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Imran kept their nerve to guide Pakistan across the line.

For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga claimed two wickets each, while Chameera and Nuwan Thushara picked up one apiece.

What This Means

The win matters for Pakistan beyond the 1-0 series lead. It comes just six days after Pakistan lost the Asian Games final to India on October 3 — a defeat that stung despite Pakistan fielding a second-string side under Farhan's captaincy. This was a statement response from the skipper, who led from the front with bat in hand when the chase could easily have slipped away.

For Sri Lanka, Udara's 90 is the clear bright spot, but their bowling leaked at the wrong moments and the early collapse left too much repair work for one man. New Test captain Mendis, meanwhile, endured a forgettable start to his leadership stint with a first-over dismissal.

What Happens Next

The series moves to its second T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, October 11. A win would seal the series for Pakistan; Sri Lanka need a victory to keep the contest alive going into the decider.

With the teams evenly matched on paper and both captains under pressure — Farhan to keep building momentum, Mendis to bounce back from a rough start to his tenure — expect another tight contest under the lights in Rawalpindi.

 

Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan struck a match-winning 89 off 53 balls in the first T20I against Sri Lanka. (Photo: PCB/The News)