SL vs PAK 2026, 1st T20I: Sahibzada Farhan, bowlers lift Pakistan 1-0 up

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the first T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on January 7, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bowl on a two-paced pitch and reaped the rewards instantly as Kamil Mishara perished for a duck to Salman Mirza. Pathum Nissanka was dismissed soon after for a run-a-ball 12, with Sri Lanka losing their openers inside the first three overs. Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva tried to rebuild the innings but failed to convert their start into meaningful scores.

Sri Lanka were in dire straits in the 12th over, having lost half their side with only 72 on the board, dented in particular by Shadab Khan’s double-wicket seventh over in which he sent back both Mendis and de Silva.

Janith Liyanage held his end up with his 40 off 31, forging small but critical partnerships with Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga, to infuse some hope of posting a fighting total. Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka struck a few blows, but Pakistan kept chipping away with wickets to bowl out Sri Lanka for 128 in the last over.

Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed were the pick of the bowling lot for Pakistan, bagging three wickets apiece. Mohammad Wasim Jr and Shadab Khan also contributed by picking two each.

In reply, Pakistan got off to a flier, as the openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub added 59 runs inside the powerplay. After Maheesh Theekshana saw the back of Ayub for an 18-ball 24, Farhan joined forces with Agha and guided Pakistan towards the target.

Sri Lanka created a minor moment in their favour when Hasaranga sent back Agha for 16 while Dhananjaya de Silva had Fakhar Zaman stumped for a cheap score. Dushmantha Chameera also struck in the same patch, dismissing Farhan soon after he reached his half-century, with Pakistan slipping from 94 for 1 to 106 for 4 in the space of three overs.

However, in the end, Usman Khan and Shadab Khan ensured there was no last-moment ruckus as they took the visitors home with 20 balls and six wickets to spare.