Farhan, Maaz star in Pakistan’s win over SL

The duo share a 92-run stand as hosts chase 183 with seven balls to spare

Skipper Sahibzada Farhan (89) led from the front while Maaz Sadaqat (50) smashed his maiden fifty as Pakistan conquered Sri Lanka by four wickets to take 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series at the Pindi Stadium on Friday night.

The duo shared 92 runs for the second-wicket stand to enable the hosts chase the 183-run target with seven balls to spare after losing six wickets in the process.

Maaz, who brought in his maiden fifty off 28 balls, smacked three fours and four sixes in his gritty knock.

Although Pakistan lost a few quick wickets at this stage but Farhan stood like a rock and brought his team close to victory before losing his wicket.

Farhan, playing his first match as skipper, hammered 54-ball 89, striking four sixes and ten fours.

Khawaja Nafay made Pakistan home with a brisk seven-ball 12 not out, featuring one six.

Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Theekshana got two wickets each.

Set to chase a seemingly stiff target, Fakhar Zaman and skipper Sahibzada Farhan provided a blistering start to the hosts and brought in their team’s fifty in only five overs.

Medium fast bowler Eshan Malinga eventually gave the breakthrough when he had Fakhar who edged it to keeper Udara after hitting a 13-ball 21 which featured four fours.

Maaz Sadaqat then joined Farhan and in the same over the young left-hander hit Eshan for two glorious sixes and a four to leave his mark as the over yielded 16 runs.

Earlier Sri Lanka’s opener Lahiru Udara smashed a blistering 91 off 55 balls to propel the visitors to 182-8 after opting to bat first.

Udara, who hit his maiden fifty, struck 11 fours and a six, anchoring the Sri Lankan innings after Pakistan made early inroads into the visitors' batting line-up.

Sri Lanka had a poor start when Naseem Shah got rid of captain Kusal Mendis for one in the first over. Mohammad Imran Randhawa, who made his debut, then removed Kamil Mishara for six as Sri Lanka slipped to 18-2 in the fourth over.

Udara steadied the innings alongside Kamindu Mendis, who scored 23 off 18 deliveries, including four boundaries. The pair helped Sri Lanka recover before Saim Ayub dismissed Kamindu to leave the visitors at 78-3.

Imran struck again to remove Sahan Arachchige for one, but Udara continued to attack, reaching his fifty off 32 balls.

Dasun Shanaka added momentum with 18 from 15 deliveries, including two sixes, as he shared a useful partnership with Udara to push Sri Lanka beyond 130.

Shanaka fell to Shadab Khan in the 16th over, but Udara kept the scoreboard moving despite wickets falling at the other end.

Naseem returned to dismiss Dunith Wellalage for five before claiming Udara's wicket on the final ball of the 19th over, ending the opener's outstanding innings.

The dismissal came after Udara had survived a Pakistan review earlier in the innings.

Pakistan's bowlers picked up wickets in the closing overs to restrict Sri Lanka's late charge, although the visitors finished with a competitive total in the end.

Naseem led Pakistan attack as he finished with 3-36 in his quota of four overs. Imran Randhawa impressed on debut with 2-21. Leggie Shadab Khan (1-33) and Saim Ayub (1-17) also contributed with one wicket each.

The second match will be held on Sunday at the same venue.