Pakistan flexed their muscle within the first T20I in Dambulla, beating Sri Lanka by six wickets with 20 balls to spare. The win was arrange by their bowling unit. On a two-paced pitch, Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed picked up three wickets every and a returning Shadab Khan two.
Sri Lanka’s innings by no means received going. Despatched in, they discovered themselves on 38 for 4 within the seventh over. They recovered to succeed in 127 for six within the 18th however misplaced the final 4 wickets for the addition of only one extra run.
In reply, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub gave Pakistan a begin of 59 in 5.5 overs. Ayub fell for twenty-four however Farhan carried on, citing his fifty off 35 balls. Pakistan did lose three fast wickets once they had been round 100 however by then, the consequence was all however determined. Shadab scored a fast 18 not out off 12 balls and picked up the Participant-of-the-Match award.
Sri Lanka’s gradual begin
Given the rain issues, the pitch had been underneath covers for the final couple of days. When Salman Agha opted to bowl after profitable the toss, he anticipated his bowlers to utilize the moisture within the floor. He was’t let down. Mirza and Mohammad Wasim largely bowled good strains and lengths, and with some balls skidding by and a few holding into the pitch, the run scoring wasn’t simple. When the Sri Lanka openers, Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka, tried to assault, they misplaced their wickets. Because of this, Sri Lakna may handle solely 35 for two within the powerplay.
Shadab’s profitable comeback
Enjoying his first match for Pakistan since June 2025, Shadab Khan didn’t take lengthy to make an affect. Together with his third ball, he trapped Kusal Mendis lbw. Two balls later, he had Dhananjaya de Silva caught behind with a googly. De Silva, who was enjoying his first T20I because the 2024 T20 World Cup, made a run-a-ball 10.
At instances, Shadab turned his legbreak sq.. In his third over, he ought to have had Janith Liyanage caught at long-on. Nonetheless, Farhan not solely dropped the catch but in addition parried the ball for a six. Nonetheless, Shadab completed with 2 for 25 from his 4.
Abrar, seamers wrap it up
Abrar Ahmed, launched within the twelfth over, additionally struck in his first over. He had Charith Asalanka caught behind to make it 72 for five. He additionally had Liyanage dropped off his bowling; this time Mirza grassed an opportunity at brief high quality leg. Liayanage rode his luck and added 38 off 23 balls with Wanindu Hasaranga for the sixth wicket. The pair was extreme on Mohammad Nawaz, taking 16 off him within the fifteenth over.
At 106 for five with 5 overs to go and Dasun Shanaka but to bat, Sri Lanka will need to have had their sights on 150. However Abrar removed Hasaranga and Liyanage in his successive overs. From there on, the tip was swift. Mirza and Wasim shared the final three wickets to wrap up the innings.
Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan put Pakistan on prime within the chase•Sameera Peiris/Getty Pictures
Farhan, Ayub tee off
Sri Lanka had hit their first six within the tenth over of the innings, Pakistan off the tenth ball. Maheesh Theekshana bowled one full exterior off and Ayub launched him over further cowl. Within the subsequent over, Farhan took Pakistan’s six tally to 3 with back-to-back hits off Nuwan Thushara. Sri Lanka, of their entire innings, had managed solely two.
The pitch had eased out by then however on the identical time, the Sri Lanka bowlers confirmed not one of the self-discipline of their counterparts. Theekshana did bowl Ayub within the sixth over however Sri Lanka wanted way more than that.
No miracle for Sri Lanka
Shanaka introduced Hasaranga on instantly after the powerplay. It was like a final throw of the cube. However with no scoreboard strain, Farhan and Agha may afford to play him out. Ultimately, he dismissed Agha – satirically off a full toss that the batter tried to hit for a six – and completed with 1 for 17 from his quota.
Within the meantime, Farhan saved smashing the seamers and took the aspect previous 100 within the twelfth over. There was a bit of hiccup round that point as Pakistan misplaced three wickets for 12 runs within the house of 19 balls nevertheless it didn’t change something.
