Pakistan Thrash Sri Lanka by 7 Wickets – Sahibzada & Nawaz Star in Rawalpindi
Pakistan made it two wins out of two in the T20 Tri-Nation series with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at a packed Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday night. Spinner Mohammad Nawaz ripped through the middle order with brilliant figures of 3-16, while opener Sahibzada Farhan smashed a breathtaking 80 not out off just 45 balls to finish the chase in style.
Nawaz Magic Restricts Sri Lanka to 128-7
After Dasun Shanaka won the toss and chose to bat, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara attacked from the first ball, taking 44 runs in the powerplay. Mishara looked particularly dangerous, smashing a six and two fours early on.
But once Pakistan introduced spin, everything changed. Mohammad Nawaz produced a game-changing spell, striking twice in two balls to remove Kusal Perera and captain Dasun Shanaka – both bowled by beautiful arm-balls that sneaked between bat and pad.
Two wickets in two balls completely turned the game!
Abrar Ahmed supported well by dismissing Nissanka, and a stunning catch in the deep by Mohammad Wasim Jr sent Kamindu Mendis packing. Janith Liyanage fought hard with an unbeaten 41, but regular wickets meant Sri Lanka could only reach a below-par 128-7 in their 20 overs.
Sahibzada Farhan – The Destroyer with the Bat
Chasing 129, Pakistan never looked in trouble. Saim Ayub started aggressively with three boundaries, but it was Sahibzada Farhan who stole the show.
The right-hander took on the Sri Lankan spinners from the beginning – lofting Hasaranga for a beautiful straight four and then hammering Chameera for a huge six over square leg. When Vijayakanth Viyaskanth came on, Sahibzada welcomed him with back-to-back four and six.
He brought up his fifty in just 33 balls and continued the assault, smoking three massive sixes in two overs against Hasaranga and Chameera. His knock included:
- 6 towering sixes
- 6 clean fours
- Strike rate of 177.77
- 80* off only 45 deliveries
His sixth T20I fifty and the highest score of the tournament so far.
Late Wickets? No Problem for Pakistan
Even when Dushmantha Chameera removed Babar Azam (16) and captain Salman Ali Agha off consecutive balls, there was no panic. Only 20 runs were needed, and Sahibzada calmly finished the game with a boundary through covers, sealing victory with 27 balls to spare.
What This Win Means
Pakistan now sit comfortably at the top of the tri-nation series table with two convincing wins – first against Zimbabwe and now a dominant performance against Sri Lanka. The team looks refreshed, confident, and ready for the final and any upcoming challenges.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have now lost both their matches (including a shock defeat to Zimbabwe) and need a miracle to make the final.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Mohammad Nawaz is back to his best – deadly with the ball in the middle overs
- Sahibzada Farhan has firmly announced himself as a T20 powerhouse
- Pakistan’s spin department looks world-class at home
- The Rawalpindi crowd got full entertainment – wickets, sixes, and a Pakistani win!
With the final of the tri-series just around the corner, Pakistan have sent a strong message: they are ready to dominate on home soil.
Bring on the next game – the Men in Green are firing on all cylinders!
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