Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets as Farhan, Sadaqat star in Rawalpindi

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday with captain Sahibzada Farhan’s dominant 89 and Maaz Sadaqat’s half-century leading the home side to a successful chase of 183.

Sri Lanka elected to bat and made 182/8 in their allowed 20 overs, and Pakistan completed the mark despite a late wobble to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Farhan scored 89 off 53 balls and Sadaqat made 50 off 29 balls as they accumulated 92 runs for the second wicket to put Pakistan in the driving seat for victory.

Sadaqat, Farhan at the helm

Pakistan made a fast start to their chase with Farhan and Fakhar Zaman contributing 54 runs in the first five overs. Sadaqat came to the crease when Fakhar was removed by Eshan Malinga, 21 runs off 13 balls.

The left-hander joined Farhan in a fiery partnership that put Sri Lanka’s bowlers under pressure. Sadaqat scored 50 off 29 balls with three sixes and four fours until Maheesh Theekshana had him leg before wicket.

Farhan’s fifty off 33 balls came up as he continued to anchor the innings, routinely striking the boundaries as Pakistan advanced near the objective.

Sri Lanka’s hopes were briefly renewed in the 16th over as they took three wickets in short succession to take Pakistan from 144/1 to 156/4. Dushmantha Chameera and Theekshana scalped the wickets of Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub respectively.

Farhan was the main man in the chase hitting 6 sixes and 10 fours before getting out for 89 with only 4 runs to get.Pakistan overcame Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, with captain Sahibzada Farhan’s dominant 89 and Maaz Sadaqat’s half-century leading the hosts to a successful chase of 183.

Sri Lanka elected to bat and made 182/8 in their allowed 20 overs, and Pakistan completed the mark despite a late wobble to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Farhan scored 89 off 53 balls and Sadaqat made 50 off 29 balls as they accumulated 92 runs for the second wicket to put Pakistan in the driving seat for victory.

Sadaqat, Farhan at the helm

Pakistan made a fast start to their chase with Farhan and Fakhar Zaman contributing 54 runs in the first five overs. Sadaqat came to the crease when Fakhar was removed by Eshan Malinga, 21 runs off 13 balls.

The left-hander joined Farhan in a fiery partnership that put Sri Lanka’s bowlers under pressure. Sadaqat scored 50 off 29 balls with three sixes and four fours until Maheesh Theekshana had him leg before wicket.

Farhan’s fifty off 33 balls came up as he continued to anchor the innings, routinely striking the boundaries as Pakistan advanced near the objective.

Sri Lanka’s hopes were briefly renewed in the 16th over as they took three wickets in short succession to take Pakistan from 144/1 to 156/4. Dushmantha Chameera and Theekshana scalped the wickets of Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub respectively.

Farhan was the man of the chase, smashing four sixes and 10 fours before he departed for 89 with four runs to go.