Pakistan Clinches Series Lead with Dominant 82-Run Victory Over Sri Lanka

Pakistan secured a commanding 82-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I, fueled by explosive half-centuries from Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan. Batting first in Rawalpindi, the visitors posted 215/3, with Sadaqat smashing 96 off 51 balls and Farhan contributing 73 off 44. Mohammad Imran then produced a match-winning spell of 3/11, stifling Sri Lanka’s chase throughout.

Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan Power Pakistan to 215

Pakistan began steadily before accelerating in the latter stages of their innings. Farhan targeted Sri Lanka’s spinners, hitting multiple sixes against Maheesh Theekshana to reach his half-century off just 31 balls. He was dismissed for 73 in the 15th over, caught at deep third by Dasun Shanaka. Sadaqat then took charge, overpowering both pace and spin with an outstanding display of power-hitting.

The left-hander continued his onslaught, hitting seven sixes and five fours during the latter stages, accumulating 79 off 40 balls. He built a 73-run partnership with Farhan and added a further 72 with Hasan Nawaz to propel Pakistan to 215/3. Sadaqat fell just short of a maiden T20I century, caught by Eshan Malinga at deep cover off 96 from 51 balls, as Pakistan posted 156 runs in the final 12 overs to set a formidable total.

Mohammad Imran’s Three-Wicket Haul Crushes Sri Lanka’s Chase

Sri Lanka suffered an early setback when Salman Mirza dismissed Lahiru Udara for five in the opening over. Sineth Jayawardena briefly counterattacked with three consecutive boundaries, but the visitors were left at 35/2 at the close of the powerplay. Imran then struck through the middle order, dismissing Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis, and Sahan Arachchige in the eighth over. Wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay took two sharp catches to aid the breakthrough.

Imran concluded his spell with figures of 3/11 from four overs, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 64/5 by the 11th over. Although the lower order added some late boundaries, with Theekshana remaining unbeaten on 32, the required rate was always beyond reach. The visitors finished on 133/7, handing Pakistan an emphatic 82-run victory as both batters and bowlers delivered a commanding all-round performance.

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