Sahibzada Farhan scored an unbeaten half-century after a medical show by their bowlers, led by Mohammad Nawaz, who helped Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets for his or her second consecutive win within the Tri-nation T20I sequence right here on Saturday. Sahibzada Farhan struck an unbeaten 80 off 45 balls to assist Pakistan chase the goal of 129 in 15.3 overs because the hosts rose to the highest of the standings after their bowlers had earlier restricted Sri Lanka to 128/7 on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium right here.
Pakistan will now tackle Zimbabwe on the identical venue on Sunday within the fourth match of the sequence, which is able to safe their place within the ultimate of the match.
In pursuit of the goal, opening batters Farhan and Saim Ayub (20, 18b, 4×4) supplied their crew a blistering begin, elevating 47 runs for the opening wicket partnership in 5 overs earlier than the latter departed, stumped by Kusal Mendis off skipper Dasun Shanaka. Whereas scoring his 20, Saim turned simply the ninth Pakistan batsman to cross the 1,000 T20I runs landmark throughout the outing.
Farhan then raised 69 runs for the second-wicket partnership with former skipper Babar Azam (16, 22b, 1×6) during which he contributed 53 runs, additionally mentioning his sixth T20I half-century off 33 balls.
With Dushmantha Chameera placing twice on consecutive balls, Sahibzada Farhan stored his cost going and ended by hitting the successful runs in fashion with a boundary within the sixteenth over. The fitting-handed opening batter struck six fours and 5 sixes, additionally turning into the primary Pakistan batter to hit 100 or extra sixes in T20Is in a 12 months.
Earlier, Sri Lanka acquired off to a flying begin with Kamil Mishara hitting two fours and as many sixes earlier than departing within the fourth over with 32 runs on the board. Sri Lanka’s progress was additional hampered within the subsequent when Mohammad Wasim Jnr’s good throw from third ran out Kusal Mendis.
Sri Lanka slumped to 65/3 on the midway mark, and issues turned from unhealthy to worse as they slipped to 78/5 within the twelfth over, when participant of the match Mohammad Nawaz eliminated Kusal Perera (25, 19b, 2×4, 1×6) and Dasun Shanaka on consecutive deliveries. Nawaz returned to take away Kamindu Mendis within the 14th over as Sri Lanka slipped to 86/6.
Janith Liyanage, who high scored for Sri Lanka with 41 off 38 balls, hitting three fours and one six, then cast a 31-ball 35-run seventh-wicket stand with Wanindu Hasaranga (11, 12b, 1×4) as they took Sri Lanka to 128-7 in 20 overs.
Whereas Nawaz starred with 3-16 in 4 overs, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed claimed one wicket every.
Temporary scores:
Sri Lanka 128/7 in 20 overs (Janith Liyanage 41 not out, Kusal Perera 25, Kamil Mishara 22; Mohammad Nawaz 3-16) misplaced to Pakistan 131/3 in 15.3 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 80 not out, Saim Ayub 20; Dushmantha Chameera 2-29) by seven wickets