Pakistan Chase Down 129-Run Target with Ease
DAMBULLA: Pakistan cruised to a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday. The visitors chased a modest target of 129 runs in 16.4 overs, leaving 20 balls to spare.
Opener Sahibzada Farhan was the star of the innings, scoring a quickfire 51 off 36 balls. His innings included four boundaries and two sixes, giving Pakistan the momentum they needed.
Solid Opening Partnerships Set the Tone
Pakistan’s chase began strongly with Farhan and Saim Ayub putting together a 59-run opening partnership. Ayub contributed 24 runs off 18 balls, striking three boundaries and a six. He was eventually dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana on the penultimate delivery of the batting powerplay.
Farhan then stitched together another important 25-run stand with captain Salman Ali Agha. Both batters were dismissed in successive overs, bringing Pakistan to 101/3. Agha scored 16 off 11 balls, hitting two fours.
Fakhar Zaman was the next to fall, stumped by Dhananjaya de Silva after scoring five off 10 deliveries. With 23 runs still needed, Usman Khan and Shadab Khan calmly guided Pakistan to victory. Shadab remained unbeaten on 18 from 12 balls, while Usman finished seven not out from 13 deliveries.
Pakistan Bowlers Dominate Sri Lanka
Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers had set the stage for the win by bowling out Sri Lanka for just 128 in 19.2 overs. Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed led the attack, taking three wickets each. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jr chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Sri Lanka’s innings started shakily as openers Kamil Mishara (0) and Pathum Nissanka fell inside the first few overs, leaving the team at 15/2. Kusal Mendis (14) and Dhananjaya de Silva (10) tried to stabilize the innings with a 22-run partnership. However, their dismissal quickly reduced Sri Lanka to 38/4 in 6.5 overs.
Janith Liyanage provided resistance with a gutsy 40 off 31 balls, forming two crucial 18-run partnerships with Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga. He was eventually dismissed by Abrar Ahmed in the 18th over.
Pakistan bowlers finished strongly, with Salman Mirza dismissing Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka (12) and tailender Dushmantha Chameera (0) in the penultimate over. Mohammad Wasim Jr claimed the final wicket, sending Maheesh Theekshana (0) back on the second delivery of the final over.
