Commanding Victory for Pakistan in T20 Clash
In a display of sheer dominance, the Pakistani cricket team secured a comprehensive seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Chasing a modest target, the home side comfortably reached the total with 27 balls to spare, largely due to a spectacular individual performance.
Farhan's Fireworks Seal the Deal
The chase was single-handedly orchestrated by Sahibzada Farhan, who played a magnificent, unbeaten innings. His 80 runs off just 45 balls included six powerful boundaries and five towering sixes, setting the pace for the entire innings. He found an early partner in Saim Ayub, who contributed 20 runs from 18 balls, as the pair put on 47 runs for the opening wicket before Ayub was dismissed by Dasun Shanaka.
A crucial 69-run partnership for the second wicket between Farhan and captain Babar Azam stabilized the innings after a brief stumble. Babar scored 16 runs from 22 balls before falling to Dushmantha Chameera. The same over saw Chameera strike again, removing Salman Ali Agha for a duck. Usman Khan remained not out on 5 runs at the other end as Pakistan sealed the victory.
Sri Lanka's Innings and Pakistan's Bowling Prowess
Earlier, after winning the toss, Sri Lanka struggled to build momentum and finished their 20 overs at 128 for 7. Janith Liyanage was the standout batsman, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 41 off 38 balls, which included three fours and a six. The innings saw brief flashes of aggression from Kamil Mishara (22 off 12 balls) and Kusal Perera (25 off 19 balls), but no other batsman could make a significant contribution.
The Pakistani bowling attack was disciplined and effective. Mohammad Nawaz was the star with the ball, delivering a brilliant spell and finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 16. His outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match award. He was well-supported by Salman Mirza, Faheem Ashraf, and Abrar Ahmed, who each claimed one wicket. For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera was the most successful bowler, taking 2 for 29.
This convincing win provides a significant boost for the Pakistani team as they continue their campaign, showcasing a strong all-round performance with both bat and ball.
