Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka by 4 Wickets in Rawalpindi 1st T20I
Pakistan Win by 4 Wickets in Rawalpindi
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 9, 2026. Chasing a target of 183 runs, the hosts got home in the 19th over thanks to captain Sahibzada Farhan’s superb 89 and Maaz Sadaqat’s fluent half-century. The win gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series.
Farhan and Sadaqat Power the Chase
Pakistan’s chase began at full throttle as openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman smashed 54 runs in the first five overs. Fakhar fell for 21 off 13 balls to Eshan Malinga, but that only brought Maaz Sadaqat to the crease, and the pair took the game away from Sri Lanka with a 92-run stand for the second wicket.
Sadaqat played a gem of an innings, scoring 50 off 29 balls with three sixes and four fours before being trapped lbw by Maheesh Theekshana. Sri Lanka fought back with three quick wickets as Pakistan slipped from 144-1 to 156-4 in the 16th over, with Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub falling to Dushmantha Chameera and Theekshana respectively.
Farhan held his nerve at the other end. He brought up his half-century off just 33 balls and went on to make 89 off 53 deliveries, striking four sixes and 10 fours before being dismissed with just four runs needed. Shadab Khan also fell before Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Imran guided Pakistan over the line. For Sri Lanka, Theekshana and Malinga claimed two wickets each, while Chameera and Nuwan Thushara took one apiece.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan (c) | 89 | 53 | 10 | 4 |
| Maaz Sadaqat | 50 | 29 | 4 | 3 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 21 | 13 | – | – |
| Khawaja Nafay (not out) | 12 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
Sri Lanka’s Innings
Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first but made a shaky start, losing two wickets for just 18 runs in the fourth over. Naseem Shah struck in the opening over, dismissing Kusal Mendis for just one run. Kamil Mishara also fell cheaply, scoring six runs before debutant Muhammad Imran sent him back to the pavilion. Despite the early blows, the visitors recovered to post 182, setting Pakistan 183 to win.
Key Moments from the Match
– Pakistan chased 183 to win by four wickets in the 19th over
– Captain Sahibzada Farhan scored 89 off 53 balls with 10 fours and four sixes
– Maaz Sadaqat made 50 off 29 balls in a 92-run second-wicket stand
– Naseem Shah removed Kusal Mendis for 1 in the opening over
– Debutant Muhammad Imran dismissed Kamil Mishara for 6
– Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga took two wickets each for Sri Lanka
Who won the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I?
Pakistan won by four wickets, chasing down Sri Lanka’s 182 to finish on 183/6 in the 19th over at Rawalpindi.
Who was the top scorer for Pakistan?
Captain Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 89 off 53 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes.
What was Sri Lanka’s total?
Sri Lanka posted 182 after choosing to bat first, losing early wickets to Naseem Shah and debutant Muhammad Imran.
Who took wickets for Sri Lanka?
Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga claimed two wickets each, while Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara took one apiece.