Pakistan eye series victory

KARACHI:

Buoyed by a convincing victory in the first T20I on Friday, Pakistan will look to seal the series when they take on Sri Lanka in the second match of the three-match series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday (today).

The match will begin at 6pm PST.

Pakistan made a strong start to the series, beating Sri Lanka by four wickets in the opening match. Several positives emerged from their approach, with aggressive intent standing out as the biggest takeaway. However, the hosts will need to strike a balance between attacking cricket and composure to ensure a more convincing finish.

Losing several wickets in quick succession, while firmly in control of the chase, was an area of concern. With the top order having laid the foundation, Pakistan could have avoided unnecessary dismissals and finished the contest more comfortably.

The hosts will also need to improve their fielding and wicket-keeping if they are to build on their opening success.

Captain Sahibzada Farhan led from the front with an impressive 89 on Friday, delivering the kind of performance Pakistan needed from their new skipper, who has replaced Agha Salman.

Chasing 183, Farhan and Fakhar Zaman provided the hosts with an excellent start before Maaz Sadaqat added further impetus with his powerful hitting to help Pakistan secure the win.

Earlier, debutant pacer Imran Randhawa emerged as one of the standout performers, taking 2-21 in his four overs. He complemented senior fast bowler Naseem Shah, who claimed 3-36, including the prized wicket of Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis in the opening over.

Pakistan are likely to field an unchanged side for the second encounter.

Farhan said the team would continue to adopt an aggressive approach in the coming matches.

“Yes we will play with the same mindset. What I had told before the game happened and will build on it,” Farhan said.

“The way me and Fakhar started and then Maaz added to it I think was positive. Maaz is in great form and I have told him that he should benefit of it as such days do not come always,” he said.

The Pakistan captain also praised Randhawa for his performance with the new ball during the powerplay.

“I know that he is very good with the new ball and he has executed his plans quite well,” Farhan said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis will be looking for a stronger response from his team as they attempt to level the series.

Mendis emphasised the need for his batsman to adopt a more positive approach during the powerplay and capitalise on the fielding restrictions.

“We have to play positive cricket and score more runs in the powerplay,” Mendis said.

“We were 20 to 30 runs short as 200 and plus would have been a good score on this wicket. We did not bowl well in the powerplay and we will have to bowl first six overs tight and then take wickets in the middle to put pressure on the oppositions,” he said.

The Sri Lankan skipper also praised Lahiru Udara, who struck an impressive 91 off 55 balls to help the visitors post a competitive total.

“He batted really well in the middle and I hope he will carry his fine form in the series,” Mendis said.

Udara proved to be one of Sri Lanka’s biggest positives in the opening match. The wicket-keeper batsman registered his maiden T20I half-century in only his fifth appearance in the format, giving his side a much-needed boost with the bat.

Friday’s victory was Pakistan’s 19th in T20Is against Sri Lanka, taking their head-to-head record to 19-13.

Sri Lanka, however, have fond memories of their previous T20I tour of Pakistan, having swept the hosts 3-0 in a three-match series in October 2019.

Pakistan rested on Saturday, while Sri Lanka were scheduled to train at the Pindi Cricket Stadium ahead of Sunday's encounter.

The visitors are in Pakistan not only for the T20I series but also for an upcoming ODI tri-series involving England, followed by a Test series.