Pakistan secured an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the T20 international series against Sri Lanka with an 82-run win in Rawalpindi on Sunday. Maaz Sadaqat made 96 off 51 balls, Pakistan posted their highest home T20 total of 215-3, and Mohammad Imran returned 3-11 as Sri Lanka finished on 133-7.
Match Summary: Pakistan's Biggest T20 Win Over Sri Lanka
The 82-run margin is Pakistan's largest T20 win against Sri Lanka. It also took the series beyond reach with one game still to play.
Pakistan scored at 10.75 runs per over across their innings. Sri Lanka managed 6.65 per over in reply, a gap of 4.10 runs per over.
Match Result Snapshot| Team | Score | Run Rate |
|---|
| Pakistan | 215-3 (20 overs) | 10.75 |
| Sri Lanka | 133-7 (20 overs) | 6.65 |
| Margin | 82 runs | Pakistan lead series 2-0 |
Batting Analysis: Sadaqat and Farhan Drive the Innings
Sadaqat missed a century by four runs. His 96 came off 51 balls at a strike rate of 188.24, and he was dismissed off the final delivery of the innings.
He hit seven sixes, level with the most by a Pakistan batter in a T20 innings. Boundaries gave him 66 of his 96 runs, or 68.75 percent.
Captain Sahibzada Farhan made 73 off 44 balls at a strike rate of 165.91. He hit five sixes and four fours before holing out to Dasun Shanaka in the 15th over.
Farhan was dropped on 2 and 11. Together, Sadaqat and Farhan scored 169 of Pakistan's 215 runs, or 78.6 percent of the total.
Pakistan Batting Highlights| Batter | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Sixes | Fours |
|---|
| Maaz Sadaqat | 96 | 51 | 188.24 | 7 | 6 |
| Sahibzada Farhan | 73 | 44 | 165.91 | 5 | 4 |
| Hasan Nawaz | 19* | - | - | - | - |
Partnerships and Scoring Phases
The second-wicket stand between Sadaqat and Farhan produced 88 runs off 49 balls, a run rate of 10.78 per over. Sadaqat was dropped on 44, and the third-wicket stand then accelerated sharply.
He added 72 runs off 31 balls with Hasan Nawaz, who finished unbeaten on 19. That partnership scored at 13.94 per over.
Late-Overs Acceleration
Pakistan scored 70 runs in the last five overs, a rate of 14.00 per over. That compares with 145 runs in the first 15 overs, or 9.67 per over.
The total of 215-3 improved on Pakistan's previous highest home T20 score of 208-3, made against the West Indies in Karachi five years ago. The gap is seven runs.
Key Partnerships and Phases| Phase / Partnership | Runs | Balls / Overs | Rate |
|---|
| Second wicket (Sadaqat-Farhan) | 88 | 49 balls | 10.78 per over |
| Third wicket (Sadaqat-Nawaz) | 72 | 31 balls | 13.94 per over |
| Overs 1-15 | 145 | 15 overs | 9.67 per over |
| Overs 16-20 | 70 | 5 overs | 14.00 per over |
Bowling Analysis: Imran Restricts Sri Lanka
Medium pacer Mohammad Imran took 3-11 and led the bowling effort. Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals and were 133-7 at the close.
Maheesh Theekshana made 32 not out and Chamindu Wickramasinghe added 29, but both scored after the result was effectively decided. Kamindu Mendis (23) and Sineth Jayawardena (22) were the only other batters to reach double figures.
Sri Lanka Batting Contributions| Batter | Runs |
|---|
| Maheesh Theekshana | 32* |
| Chamindu Wickramasinghe | 29 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 23 |
| Sineth Jayawardena | 22 |
Fielding Lapses Proved Costly
Sri Lanka dropped three catches, and Pakistan's two main scorers benefited. Farhan was reprieved twice and Sadaqat once, and they went on to score 169 runs between them.
Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis acknowledged the problem. "We have done well in terms of fielding in the last few tournaments, but unfortunately we have not been up to the mark, and that's why we have struggled," he said.
Captain's View and Series Outlook
Farhan was positive about the team's batting approach. "It's a good win, and we are shaping up well," he said. "If we continue this way, we will end up scoring more than 200 every time, so we will play with the same intensity."
Pakistan now hold an unbeatable 2-0 lead. The third and final match is on Tuesday.
The key trends to watch are Pakistan's scoring rate in the last five overs and Sri Lanka's catching. Pakistan's 70 runs in the final five overs and the three missed chances were two of the main differences in this match.