Farhan 89 Leads Pakistan to Four-Wicket Win Over Sri Lanka in First T20I

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 9. They chased down 183 in 18.5 overs with seven balls to spare and lead the three-match series 1-0.

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat. They made 182 for 8, built around Lahiru Udara's 91, which included 11 fours and a six. Kamindu Mendis added 23 and Dasun Shanaka 18. Naseem Shah led the Pakistan attack with 3/36. Debutant Mohammad Imran was economical, taking 2/21 in his four overs. Razaullah, who also made his T20I debut, took 1/30, and Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan took one wicket each.

The chase was driven by captain Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 89 with 10 fours and four sixes. He was dismissed with only four runs needed. Maaz Sadaqat hit a quick 50 off 29 balls, including four fours and three sixes. The pair put on 92 for the second wicket to take the game away from Sri Lanka. Fakhar Zaman chipped in with 21.

Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets each for Sri Lanka, but the visitors could not defend the total on a dew-affected pitch. Pakistan finished on 187 for 6, with Khawaja Nafay and Imran seeing them home after Shadab Khan's late dismissal.