Rawalpindi, October 11,2026: Maaz Sadaqat and captain Sahibzada Farhan struck impressive half-centuries before Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance to secure an 82-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The victory gave Pakistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the third and final T20I scheduled to be played at the same venue on Tuesday.
Chasing a daunting target of 216, Sri Lanka managed 133/7 in their allotted 20 overs, falling well short of the required total.
Pakistan’s bowlers made an immediate impact, with Salman Mirza dismissing in-form opener Lahiru Udara for five in the first over, leaving the visitors struggling at six for one.
Captain Kusal Mendis joined Sineth Jayawardena in an attempt to stabilize the innings, but Mohammad Imran dismissed Jayawardena on the final delivery of the powerplay after the pair added 29 runs for the second wicket.
The dismissal triggered a middle-order collapse as Sri Lanka lost four more wickets, including Mendis for nine, to slump to 74/6 in 11.5 overs.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Maheesh Theekshana offered some resistance, putting together a 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket. However, Salman broke the stand in the penultimate over by removing Wickramasinghe, who scored 29 off 24 balls, including a six and a four.
Theekshana remained unbeaten on 32 off 26 deliveries, hitting four boundaries, but his effort could not prevent Sri Lanka from suffering a series-deciding defeat.
Imran led Pakistan’s bowling attack with impressive figures of 3/11 in four overs. Salman claimed two wickets, while Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan took one each.
Earlier, Pakistan posted a formidable 215/3 after being put in to bat by Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis.
Openers Fakhar Zaman and Farhan provided a brisk start, adding 55 runs before Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Fakhar for 22 off 17 deliveries, including four fours.
Maaz Sadaqat then joined Farhan and helped Pakistan take control of the innings. The pair shared an 88-run partnership for the second wicket, during which Farhan completed his 12th T20I half-century.
Dasun Shanaka eventually ended the stand in the 15th over, dismissing Farhan for a fluent 73 off 44 balls, featuring five sixes and four fours.
Sadaqat continued the assault alongside Hasan Nawaz, with the pair adding a rapid 72 runs to propel Pakistan beyond the 200-run mark.
Sadaqat narrowly missed his maiden T20I century, falling on the final delivery of the innings for a superb 96 off 51 balls, including seven fours and six sixes. Hasan remained unbeaten on 19 off nine deliveries.
For Sri Lanka, Shanaka, Theekshana and Nuwan Thushara claimed one wicket apiece.
Pakistan will now look to complete a clean sweep when the two sides meet in the third T20I on Tuesday.
