Dambulla, January 7, 2026: A brisk half-century by opener Sahibzada Farhan, backed by a disciplined collective bowling effort, guided Pakistan to a commanding six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest target of 129, Pakistan cruised to the total in 16.4 overs, losing four wickets and with 20 balls to spare.
The visitors made a dominant start as openers Farhan and Saim Ayub put on a rapid 59-run stand. Ayub was dismissed on the penultimate ball of the powerplay, cleaned up by Maheesh Theekshana, after scoring a brisk 24 off 18 balls, including three fours and a six.
Farhan then added a vital 25 runs for the second wicket with captain Salman Ali Agha. Both batters fell in successive overs, reducing Pakistan to 101 for three. Farhan top-scored with a fluent 51 off 36 deliveries, featuring four fours and two sixes, while Agha made 16 off 11 balls.
Pakistan suffered a brief setback when Fakhar Zaman was stumped off Dhananjaya de Silva in the 14th over after scoring five. However, wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan and all-rounder Shadab Khan calmly guided the chase home with an unbroken partnership. Shadab remained unbeaten on 18 off 12 balls, while Usman scored seven not out from 13 deliveries.
For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Dhananjaya de Silva claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan’s decision to field first paid dividends as their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 128 in 19.2 overs. The hosts suffered an early collapse, losing openers Kamil Mishara (0) and Pathum Nissanka inside the powerplay with just 15 runs on the board.
Kusal Mendis (14) and de Silva (10) attempted to rebuild, adding 22 runs for the third wicket, but both were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 38 for four.
Janith Liyanage emerged as the backbone of Sri Lanka’s innings, playing a resilient knock and forming two crucial 18-run partnerships with Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga. He was eventually dismissed by Abrar Ahmed in the 18th over after scoring a valiant 40 off 31 balls, including two fours and a six.
Left-arm pacer Salman Mirza struck decisive blows in the penultimate over, removing captain Dasun Shanaka (12) and Chameera (0). Mohammad Wasim Jr wrapped up the innings by dismissing Maheesh Theekshana on the second ball of the final over.
Abrar Ahmed and Salman Mirza led Pakistan’s bowling with three wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Wasim Jr picked up two apiece.
The victory gives Pakistan a 1–0 lead in the series. The second T20I will be played at the same venue on Friday.
