Rawalpindi, October 9,2026: Lahiru Udara’s blistering 91 powered Sri Lanka to 182 for eight in the opening T20 International of the three-match series against Pakistan at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Put in to bat, the visitors recovered from early setbacks through Udara’s aggressive innings, which kept their scoring on track until the penultimate over.
Sri Lanka suffered an early blow when captain Kusal Mendis was dismissed for one in the first over, with the team having scored just nine runs. Debutant Muhammad Imran struck again in the fourth over, removing Kamil Mishara for six to leave the visitors struggling at 18 for two.
Kamindu Mendis then joined opener Udara, and the pair steadied the innings with a counterattacking 60-run partnership for the third wicket.
Saim Ayub broke the stand in the 10th over by dismissing Kamindu, who scored 23 off 18 balls, including four boundaries.
Sri Lanka lost another wicket on the first ball of the next over when Imran dismissed Sahan Arachchige for one, reducing the visitors to 83 for four.
Udara found an able partner in experienced all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, and the pair mounted a recovery with a 57-run stand off just 28 deliveries.
The partnership ended in the 16th over when Shadab Khan dismissed Shanaka for 18 off 15 balls, an innings featuring two sixes.
Udara continued to attack alongside Dunith Wellalage, adding 27 runs for the sixth wicket before Naseem Shah removed both batters in an eventful penultimate over. Wellalage departed for five, while Udara fell just short of a century after scoring 91 off 55 deliveries, including 11 fours and a six.
Debutant Razaullah struck on the first ball of the final over, dismissing Maheesh Theekshana for one with a caught-and-bowled effort to claim his maiden T20I wicket. Sri Lanka added 10 runs in the final over to finish with a competitive total of 182 for eight.
Naseem was Pakistan’s leading bowler, taking three wickets for 36 runs in his four overs. Imran claimed two wickets, while Saim, Shadab and Razaullah took one apiece.
