Pakistan’s T20I opener in Rawalpindi ended with a 4‑wicket win as Sahibzada Farhan, on his captaincy debut, smashed 89 off 53 balls to finish 187/6.
The chase got off to a blistering start when Farhan and Fakhar Zaman ripped 54 runs from just 31 balls, putting Pakistan on the map early. Sadaqat joined the captain at the crease and the pair went on a 92‑run partnership over 53 deliveries, with Sadaqat’s maiden 50 coming in a blistering 29‑ball spell. Farhan’s 10 fours and four sixes kept the run rate humming, and the turning point came when Theekshana’s over was answered with a six and three fours from the captain.
Sri Lanka had begun the innings with a solid 91 from opener Lahiru Udara, who struck 11 fours and a six in 55 balls. Udara’s 91 set a competitive target of 182/8, but the Pakistani bowlers, led by debutant Mohammad Imran and the veteran Naseem Shah, rattled the Sri Lankan top order. Naseem finished with 3/36, while Imran claimed two wickets for 21 runs.
The low‑lying Sri Lankan attack stumbled early, with Dushmantha Chameera conceding 32 runs in his two power‑play overs. He later celebrated his 100th T20 wicket when Hasan Nawaz was caught behind, only to be dismissed by Theekshana for eight in the same over. Despite the brief resurgence, Pakistan’s chase never faltered.
With the series now 1‑0 in Pakistan’s favour, the Men in Green will host the remaining two encounters on Sunday and Tuesday. The pressure is now on Sri Lanka to bounce back and level the series.