Pakistan 187 for 6 (Farhan 89, Sadaqat 50, Malinga 2-33) beat Sri Lanka 182 for 8 (Udara 91, Naseem 3-36, Imran 2-21) by 4 wickets

Lahiru Udara’s fighting 91 goes in vain as Pakistan chase down 183 to take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series

Sahibzada Farhan celebrated his elevation to Pakistan’s captaincy with a blistering 89 off 53 balls, while Maaz Sadaqat struck a rapid half-century as the hosts defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20 International at Rawalpindi on Friday.

Chasing 183 for victory, Pakistan reached 187 for six in 18.5 overs, with Farhan and Sadaqat sharing a match-defining 92-run partnership that took the game away from Sri Lanka after a flying start in the powerplay.

Sri Lanka, who elected to bat after winning the toss, posted 182 for eight in their 20 overs, largely thanks to opener Lahiru Udara’s outstanding 91 off 55 deliveries. However, a lack of substantial contributions from the rest of the batting line-up left the visitors with a total Pakistan proved capable of chasing comfortably.

Pakistan’s response was emphatic from the outset. Farhan and Fakhar Zaman attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers, helping the home side race to 70 runs in the powerplay. The aggressive start immediately put Sri Lanka under pressure and contrasted sharply with the visitors’ struggles during their opening six overs.

Zaman provided an early burst before Farhan took charge, combining power with excellent timing to keep the required run rate under control. Sadaqat then joined the assault, bringing up his half-century in just 28 balls as Pakistan maintained their momentum.

Farhan eventually fell for 89, having laid the foundation for a successful chase, but Pakistan had already done enough to put themselves firmly in control. Sadaqat’s contribution ensured the hosts did not lose their grip on the contest, despite a late flurry of wickets.

For Sri Lanka, Eshan Malinga claimed two wickets for 33 runs, but the bowling attack struggled to contain Pakistan’s top order. The visitors will also reflect on their decision to bat first, particularly given the contrasting approaches taken by the two sides during the powerplay.

Udara stands tall amid Sri Lankan struggles

Udara was the outstanding performer for Sri Lanka, producing a superb innings that kept his side competitive despite regular setbacks at the other end.

After a difficult start in which Sri Lanka lost two wickets and struggled to score freely, Udara gradually assumed responsibility for the innings. He combined measured strokeplay with timely aggression, finding boundaries through the off side and clearing the ropes when opportunities arose.

His innings provided Sri Lanka with a platform from which to build a challenging total, but the support he received was limited. Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka offered brief contributions, yet neither could produce the substantial partnership needed to complement Udara’s effort.

Sri Lanka’s slow start proved costly. While Udara eventually accelerated, the visitors failed to capitalise fully on the powerplay restrictions and were unable to maintain consistent momentum through the middle overs.

Pakistan’s bowlers also struck at important moments to prevent Sri Lanka from building a decisive total. Naseem Shah finished with three wickets for 36 runs, while debutant Mohammad Imran impressed with two for 21.

Imran was particularly effective during the powerplay, using movement to trouble the Sri Lankan batters despite not relying on express pace. He returned later to dismiss a set batter and further restrict the visitors’ progress.

Sri Lanka’s innings ended in disappointing fashion when Udara fell in the penultimate over, triggering a late collapse in which three wickets fell in five deliveries. The late losses prevented the visitors from making the most of their opener’s exceptional innings.

Sri Lanka face questions ahead of second T20I

Pakistan’s victory highlighted the difference between the two teams’ approaches at the top of the order. While Sri Lanka struggled to establish early momentum and depended heavily on one batter, Pakistan attacked from the beginning and ensured the chase remained within reach.

Although Pakistan conceded 29 extras, Sri Lanka were unable to exploit the opportunity, with their batting inconsistencies ultimately proving more damaging.

Farhan’s leadership debut could hardly have gone better, while Sadaqat’s explosive half-century underlined Pakistan’s depth in the batting department.

For Sri Lanka, Udara’s 91 was the lone major highlight in an otherwise disappointing performance. The visitors must find greater support for their top-order batters and improve their execution with the ball if they are to level the series.

Pakistan now lead the three-match T20I series 1-0, leaving Sri Lanka with little room for error in the second encounter.