RAWALPINDI: Spinner Mohammad Nawaz set the stage and opener Sahibzada Farhan completed the job as Pakistan cruised to a commanding six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 tri-nation series on Saturday, delighting a packed Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Nawaz delivered a sensational spell of 3-16, including two wickets in two balls, to restrict Sri Lanka to 128-7. Pakistan then chased down the target with 4.3 overs remaining, securing their second consecutive win after defeating Zimbabwe in the tournament opener. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, slumped to their second straight defeat.
Put in to bat after Dasun Shanaka won the toss, Sri Lanka began aggressively through openers Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka. Mishara smashed 22 off 12 balls, including a six and two fours, before falling to Faheem Ashraf. Kusal Mendis was run out soon after as Sri Lanka reached 44-2 at the end of the powerplay.
Kusal Perera’s brisk 25 offered resistance, but Pakistan’s spinners turned the tide. Abrar Ahmed removed Nissanka for a sluggish 17, and Nawaz’s double-strike — bowling both Perera and Shanaka — plunged Sri Lanka from 78-3 to 86-6. Kamindu Mendis soon followed, brilliantly caught in the deep by Mohammad Waseem Jr.
Janith Liyanage provided late resistance with a fighting 41 not out, but Pakistan’s disciplined bowling allowed only seven runs in the final over as Sri Lanka finished on a below-par total.
Pakistan’s chase began briskly as Saim Ayub cracked quick boundaries before falling for 20 after reaching 1,000 T20I runs. Sahibzada, however, dominated the innings with an explosive unbeaten 80 off 45 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes.
He kept Pakistan ahead throughout, bringing up his sixth T20 half-century off 33 balls. Babar Azam supported with 16 before being removed by Dushmantha Chameera, who struck twice in two balls to also dismiss captain Salman Ali Agha lbw.
But Sahibzada remained in full command, launching two sixes off Wanindu Hasaranga and another off Chameera as Pakistan closed in on victory. A final boundary off Eshan Malinga sealed a comfortable win and maintained Pakistan’s perfect record in the series.
