Match-winning knock on captaincy debut! Sahibzada Farhan leads Pakistan to beautiful chase in opposition to Sri Lanka

Sahibzada Farhan celebrated his elevation to Pakistan’s T20I captaincy in spectacular style, smashing a blistering 89 to steer his aspect to a four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka within the opening match of the three-game sequence in Rawalpindi on Friday.Chasing 183 for victory, Farhan’s explosive 53-ball knock, mixed with Maaz Sadaqat’s maiden T20I half-century, powered Pakistan to 187/6 in 18.5 overs. The hosts secured a 1-0 lead within the sequence after overcoming a spirited Sri Lankan effort led by opener Lahiru Udara.Farhan hammered 10 fours and 4 sixes in a commanding innings, whereas Sadaqat struck 50 off simply 29 deliveries to place Pakistan firmly answerable for the chase.

Farhan, Sadaqat flip the chase right into a run-fest

Pakistan’s opening pair of Farhan and Fakhar Zaman supplied an aggressive begin, placing on 54 runs off simply 31 balls. Fakhar contributed 21 earlier than departing, however the early momentum continued as Sadaqat joined his captain on the crease.Sri Lanka’s tempo assault struggled to comprise the onslaught. Tall quick bowler Dushmantha Chameera conceded 32 runs in his two powerplay overs as Pakistan made a flying begin to the chase.Sadaqat instantly took the assault to Eshan Malinga, placing two sixes and a 4 in his first 4 deliveries in opposition to the bowler. He then mixed with Farhan in a blistering 92-run partnership off 53 balls that put Pakistan on track for victory.Sadaqat reached his maiden T20I half-century in simply 28 balls however fell on the very subsequent supply, trapped leg-before-wicket by Maheesh Theekshana, who completed with 2/36.Sri Lanka briefly fought again as Chameera claimed his a hundredth T20 wicket by having Hasan Nawaz caught behind down the leg aspect. Theekshana then bowled Saim Ayub for eight with a supply that stayed low.Farhan, nevertheless, continued to counterattack, taking over Theekshana with a six and three fours in a single over. His good innings lastly ended when Sahan Arachchige pulled off a spectacular diving catch at midwicket, however Pakistan wanted solely three extra runs to win at that stage.

Udara’s 91 lifts Sri Lanka to aggressive complete

Earlier, Udara struck an outstanding 91 off 55 balls to assist Sri Lanka submit 182/8 in opposition to a revamped Pakistan tempo assault that includes debutants Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.Naseem Shah, recalled to the T20I squad after Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Haris had been disregarded, made a direct affect by dismissing Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis for one within the opening over. Imran additionally impressed on debut, claiming 2/21, whereas Naseem completed with 3/36.Sri Lanka struggled early earlier than Udara steadied the innings. He added 60 runs with Kamindu Mendis, who scored 23, and adopted it with a 57-run stand alongside Dasun Shanaka, who made 18.Udara reached his half-century off 32 balls and struck 11 fours and a six earlier than falling in Naseem’s remaining over. Sri Lanka scored 66 runs within the remaining six overs to offer their bowlers a difficult goal, however Farhan’s captaincy debut proved memorable as Pakistan accomplished the chase with seven balls to spare.Rawalpindi will host the remaining two matches on Sunday and subsequent Tuesday.