RAWALPINDI: Captain Sahibzada Farhan led from the front with a blistering 89 while young batter Maaz Sadaqat smashed a quickfire half-century to guide Pakistan to a four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the opening Twenty20 International of their three-match series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
🇵🇰 PAKISTAN TAKE A 1-0 SERIES LEAD! 🇱🇰
– Pakistan defeat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets to win the 1st T20I in Rawalpindi!
Sahibzada Farhan (C): Sensational captain’s knock of 89 runs to set up the chase! 👑
Maaz Sadaqat: Brilliant maiden T20I fifty (50) under pressure! 🔥 https://t.co/0pmrlWzfZM
— M Farhan (@MFarhan1200) October 9, 2026
Chasing a target of 183, Pakistan reached 187 for six in 18.5 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The second match will be played at the same venue on Sunday.
Farhan and Maaz put Pakistan in command
Pakistan made an aggressive start to the chase as Farhan and Fakhar Zaman added 54 runs for the opening wicket in five overs. Sri Lanka pacer Eshan Malinga broke the stand in the sixth over, dismissing Fakhar for 21 off 13 balls, including four boundaries.
Maaz Sadaqat joined his captain at the crease and immediately helped maintain the momentum. The left-hander and Farhan stitched together a match-defining 92-run partnership for the second wicket, with both batters reaching their half-centuries.
Maheesh Theekshana eventually dismissed Maaz in the 14th over, trapping him leg-before-wicket for a brisk 50 off 29 deliveries. His innings included four fours and three sixes.
Pakistan then lost Hasan Nawaz for one and Saim Ayub for eight in quick succession, but Farhan kept the chase on track with authoritative strokeplay.
Read Also: Sahibzada Farhan Sets Attacking Tone as Pakistan Prepare for Sri Lanka T20I Battle Tomorrow
Captain’s knock seals the victory
Farhan struck 89 off 53 balls, hitting 10 fours and four sixes, before Nuwan Thushara dismissed him in the 18th over. Shadab Khan fell for a duck to Malinga in the following over, briefly raising hopes for Sri Lanka.
First half-century as captain 👏
Sahibzada Farhan with a quality innings in the series opener ✨
#PAKvSL | #CricketKaJashan | #BackTheBoysInGreen https://t.co/kn9xmZ4FiX
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 9, 2026
However, wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay remained unbeaten on 12 and sealed the victory in style by dispatching the fifth ball of the penultimate over for a six.
For Sri Lanka, Theekshana and Malinga claimed two wickets each, while Dushmantha Chameera and Thushara took one apiece.
Udara’s 91 lifts Sri Lanka to 182
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 182 for eight after being put in to bat, with opener Lahiru Udara leading the innings with an impressive 91 off 55 deliveries, including 11 fours and a six.
Pakistan edge past Sri Lanka by 4 wickets in the 1st T20I. We go again in the next match to level the series!
#SriLankaCricket #PAKvSL https://t.co/EdYt2hSO95
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) October 9, 2026
Sri Lanka stumbled early, losing captain Kusal Mendis for one and Kamil Mishara for six to slip to 18 for two. Udara steadied the innings alongside Kamindu Mendis, who scored 23 off 18 balls, in a 60-run third-wicket stand.
After Kamindu’s dismissal, Udara combined with Dasun Shanaka for a 57-run partnership off just 28 deliveries. Shanaka contributed 18 off 15 balls before Shadab Khan ended the stand.
Read Also: Lahiru Udara’s Gutsy 91 Lifts Sri Lanka to 182 Against Pakistan in T20I Opener
Udara continued to anchor the innings before Naseem Shah dismissed him and Dunith Wellalage in the penultimate over. Debutant Razaullah claimed his maiden Twenty20 International wicket by dismissing Maheesh Theekshana for one in the final over.
Naseem was Pakistan’s leading bowler, taking three wickets for 36 runs in four overs, while debutant Muhammad Imran picked up two wickets. Saim, Shadab and Razaullah claimed one wicket each.
