Pakistan produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Sri Lanka by 82 runs on Sunday, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 International series. A brilliant batting display, followed by an impressive performance from the bowlers, helped Pakistan register their second-highest total in T20I cricket. Batting first, Pakistan piled up 215/3, thanks to outstanding knocks from Maaz Sadaqat and captain Sahibzada Farhan. In reply, Sri Lanka struggled against Pakistan’s bowling attack and could manage only 133/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Pakistan’s highest-ever T20I total remains 232/6, which they recorded against England in 2021.
Farhan smashed 73 runs, hitting five sixes and four boundaries, while Sadaqat narrowly missed out on a century, scoring 96 off 51 balls with seven sixes and six fours. Maheesh Theekshana dropped a difficult chance off Farhan before Sineth Jayawardene missed an easier opportunity when the Pakistan captain was batting on 11. Farhan was eventually dismissed in the 15th over after mistiming a shot off Dasun Shanaka, while Sadaqat’s impressive innings ended on the final delivery of the innings when Eshan Malinga dismissed him for 96.
Chasing 216 for victory, Sri Lanka needed a strong start but immediately found themselves under pressure. Fast bowler Salman Mirza, the only change Pakistan made to their playing XI from the first match, provided an early breakthrough by dismissing Lahiru Udara in the opening over. Playing only his second T20 International, Imran claimed three wickets for just 11 runs in four consecutive overs. He dismissed Sineth Jayawardene for 22, captain Kusal Mendis for nine and Sahan Arachchige for a duck. His spell left Sri Lanka struggling at 49/4 in the eighth over. Maheesh Theekshana remained unbeaten on 32 off 26 balls, while Chamindu Wickramasinghe contributed 29 off 24 deliveries. However, their efforts were insufficient to challenge Pakistan’s imposing total, as Sri Lanka finished on 133/7.
Sri Lanka’s fielding errors allowed Pakistan’s batters to build a substantial total, while the batting unit struggled to handle Pakistan’s bowling attack during the chase. The defeat marked Sri Lanka’s third consecutive T20I series loss away from home. They had previously lost 2-1 in the West Indies before suffering a 3-0 whitewash against England. The upcoming fixture will provide Pakistan with another opportunity to build momentum ahead of the ODI tri-series involving England, which is scheduled to begin the following Sunday.