Farhan, Nawaz Star as Pakistan Crush Listless Sri Lanka in T20I Tri-Series
PAK vs ZIM: Pakistan cemented their place atop the T20I tri-series standings with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, spearheaded by Sahibzada Farhan’s scintillating unbeaten 80 and Mohammad Nawaz’s masterful spell of spin bowling.
Pakistan ascended to the summit of the T20I tri-series ladder, showcasing their prowess with a convincing seven-wicket triumph over a deflated Sri Lankan side in Rawalpindi this Saturday. The victory was fueled by Sahibzada Farhan’s explosive 80 and Mohammad Nawaz’s mesmerizing left-arm spin artistry.
- Farhan, Nawaz Star as Pakistan Crush Listless Sri Lanka in T20I Tri-Series
- PAK vs ZIM: Pakistan cemented their place atop the T20I tri-series standings with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, spearheaded by Sahibzada Farhan’s scintillating unbeaten 80 and Mohammad Nawaz’s masterful spell of spin bowling.
The victory, achieved with a comfortable 27 balls to spare, marks Pakistan’s fourth consecutive T20I win and their second in this tri-series, solidifying their position as strong contenders for the final. Sri Lanka, however, are reeling from their second consecutive loss, languishing at the bottom of the table with a concerning net run rate of –2.679.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, T20I tri-series, Match 3 Highlights
Sri Lanka’s batting innings was a constant struggle against the impressive Pakistani bowling attack. While Kamil Mishara injected some early aggression with a rapid 22 off 12 deliveries, wickets fell at regular intervals, disrupting any momentum. Pathum Nissanka’s 17 off 23 and Kusal Perera’s 25 off 19 failed to translate into significant partnerships.
Janith Liyanage’s resilient unbeaten 41 offered a semblance of stability towards the end, but the visitors could only muster 128 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs, a below-par score on a pitch seemingly tailor-made for batting.
Mohammad Nawaz emerged as the bowling hero, claiming 3 for 16, dismissing Perera, Shanaka, and Kamindu Mendis in a crucial middle-overs burst. Abrar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with a wicket apiece, while debutant Salman Mirza made a positive impression with figures of 1 for 26. The Pakistani bowlers relentlessly applied pressure, stifling any attempt at establishing substantial partnerships.
FARHAN GUIDES PAKISTAN TO VICTORY
Pakistan’s run chase revolved around Sahibzada Farhan, who delivered a memorable T20I performance. He launched a calculated assault from the outset, blending powerful strokeplay with intelligent placement, ultimately remaining unbeaten on 80 off just 45 balls, punctuated by six boundaries and five towering sixes. This innings saw Farhan etching his name in history, joining a select group as the third batter this year, behind Karanbir Singh and Nicholas Pooran, to reach the milestone of 100 sixes in 2025.
Saim Ayub contributed a quickfire 20, and despite the brief setbacks of losing Babar Azam and Salman Agha in quick succession, the target was never truly under threat.
Farhan steered Pakistan to 131 for 3 in a mere 15.3 overs, sealing the victory alongside Usman Khan. Sri Lanka’s bowling attack lacked the cutting edge required to defend their total, with only Dushmantha Chameera (2 for 29) posing a genuine challenge.
With consecutive victories, Pakistan have moved closer to securing a spot in the final, while Sri Lanka face an uphill battle and require a swift resurgence to keep their tri-series hopes alive.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka: 128/7 in 20 overs. Janith Liyanage (41*), Kusal Perera (25); Mohammad Nawaz (3/16), Faheem Ashraf (1/15)
Pakistan: 131/3 in 15.3 overs. Sahibzada Farhan (80*), Saim Ayub (20); Dushmantha Chameera (2/29), Dasun Shanaka (1/14)
Result: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets (27 balls remaining)
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