Bowlers, Farhan help Pakistan thump Sri Lanka in T20I series opener

DAMBULLA: Opener Sahibzada Farhan's brisk half-century after a collective bowling effort led Pakistan to a resounding six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday.

Set to chase a modest 129-run target, the Green Shirts romped to victory for the loss of four wickets and 20 balls to spare.

The visitors got off to a dominant start to the pursuit as their opening pair of Farhan and Saim Ayub put together a blistering 59-run stand until the latter was cleaned up by Maheesh Theekshana on the penultimate delivery of the batting powerplay.

Ayub remained a notable run-getter for the Green Shirts with an 18-ball 24, featuring three fours and a six.

Farhan was then involved in another vital partnership for Pakistan – a 25-run stand for the second wicket with captain Salman Ali Agha before both batters perished in successive overs, bringing the total down to 101/3.

The right-handed opener remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a quickfire 51 off 36 deliveries, studded with four fours and two sixes, while Agha made an 11-ball 16, featuring two fours.

Pakistan then suffered another setback to their pursuit as Fakhar Zaman was stumped off returning Dhananjaya de Silva in the 14th over after mustering five off 10 deliveries.

With 23 runs still required, wicketkeeper batter Usman Khan and experienced all-rounder Shadab Khan batted sensibly to put together a match-winning partnership and steered Pakistan over the line in the 17th over.

Shadab made an unbeaten 18 off 12 deliveries, while Usman scored seven not out from 13 balls.

For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Theekshana and de Silva could pick up a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Agha's decision to field first bore fruit as his team's bowling unit skittled the home side to 128 in 19.2 overs.

Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start to their innings as they lost both their openers, Kamil Mishara (zero) and Pathum Nissanka, inside the batting powerplay with just 15 runs on the board.

Wicketkeeper batter Kusal Mendis (14) and de Silva (10) attempted to stabilise the innings by putting together 22 runs for the third wicket before both perished in quick succession, bringing the total down to 38/4 in 6.5 overs.

Following the back-to-back dismissals, Janith Liyanage walked out to bat at No.6 and took the reins of Sri Lanka's batting expedition with a gutsy knock.

The batting all-rounder was involved in two crucial partnerships with Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga, both 18, until eventually falling victim to Abrar Ahmed in the 18th over.

He remained the top-scorer for the home side with a valiant 40 off 31 deliveries, laced with two fours and a six.

Left-arm pacer Salman Mirza further added to Sri Lanka's woes in the penultimate over, dismissing their captain Dasun Shanaka (12) and tailender Chameera (zero) and put Pakistan in a commanding position.

Mohammad Wasim Jr inflicted the final blow to Sri Lanka on the second delivery of the final over by getting No.10 Maheesh Theekshana caught behind.

Abrar Ahmed and Salman jointly led Pakistan's bowling charge with three wickets each, followed by Shadab and Wasim Jr bagged two each.

The six-wicket victory gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead over Sri Lanka in the three-match series, with the second fixture scheduled to be played at the same venue on Friday.