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Sahibzada Farhan hit an unbeaten 80 as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the T20 tri-series. Mohammad Nawaz took 3-16. Sri Lanka struggled again after ODI series loss.
Sahibzada Farhan hit an unbeaten 80 as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets
Sahibzada Farhan smashed an unbeaten career-best 80 off 45 balls as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the T20 tri-series on Saturday.
Sri Lanka, having lost their opening game against Zimbabwe by 67 runs after being bowled out for 95, were restricted to 128-7 after captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and chose to bat.
Farhan’s explosive innings, featuring five sixes and six boundaries, secured a second consecutive win for Pakistan, as they reached 131-3 in just 15.3 overs.
Sri Lanka’s white-ball tour to Pakistan saw them lose the ODI series 3-0, and their batters continued to struggle in the T20 format during the first two games of the tri-series.
“It was a complete game, we were very good with both bat and ball,” Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said. “We always wanted to start well, and he’s (Farhan) someone who, if he bats for three to four overs, can take the game away from any opposition.”
Kamil Mishara (22) got Sri Lanka off to a solid start in the first three overs against the pace of Mohammad Wasim, after Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out of Saturday’s game due to a foot injury.
However, Sri Lanka faltered in the power play when Mishara was deceived by a slower ball from Faheem Ashraf and was caught at mid-on, followed by Kusal Mendis being run out while attempting an unnecessary second run.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (3-16) and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed (1-28) then tightened the screws on Sri Lanka in the middle overs, taking regular wickets as they slumped to 80-5 in 12 overs.
Nawaz struck with consecutive deliveries, clean bowling Kusal Perera with a sharp turning ball and then dismissing Shanaka with another turning delivery that knocked back the leg stump.
Wasim took a smart juggling catch of Kamindu Mendis on the mid-wicket boundary in Nawaz’s final over, and Sri Lanka’s tailenders struggled to accelerate in the death overs against the pace.
Wasim and Mirza bowled tight lengths, allowing Sri Lanka to score only 37 runs off the final five overs, with Janith Liyanage showing some resistance by scoring an unbeaten 41 off 38 balls.
Farhan displayed aggressive intent from the start of the run chase, giving Pakistan a brisk start of 47 runs in five overs before Shanaka stumped Saim Ayub (20).
However, Farhan continued his dominance, forming a 69-run partnership off 52 balls with Babar Azam (16), and raising his half-century off 33 balls with attractive shots on both sides of the wicket.
Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera (2-29) took two late wickets, dismissing Babar by uprooting the off stump and then trapping captain Salman Ali Agha leg before wicket with a delivery that caught the batter on the back foot.
Farhan finished the game with a straight six off Malinga, surpassing his previous best T20 score of 74. Pakistan, having won both their league games, will next play against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
(With AFP Inputs)
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had … Read More
November 22, 2025, 23:14 IST
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