By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan cruised to a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the opening T20 international at Dambulla on Wednesday as all-rounder Shadab Khan delivered a decisive performance with both bat and ball to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Shadab returned figures of 2-25 in four overs before scoring an unbeaten 18 off 12 balls to guide Pakistan to victory with 20 balls to spare at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
After opting to bowl first, Pakistan struck early through Mohammad Salman Mirza, who dismissed Kamil Mishara in the third over. Mohammad Wasim Jr followed up in the next over by removing Pathum Nissanka for 12, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 15-2 inside the powerplay.
Making his return to international cricket after an injury layoff, Shadab made an immediate impact in his first over. He dismissed Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva in the space of three deliveries as Sri Lanka slumped to 38-4 after 6.5 overs.
Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage attempted to stabilise the innings with a 34-run stand for the fifth wicket before Abrar Ahmed broke the partnership in the 12th over. Liyanage, who top-scored with 40 off 31 balls, later added 38 runs with Wanindu Hasaranga to push Sri Lanka past the 100-run mark.
Abrar removed Hasaranga in the 16th over and then dismissed Liyanage in the 18th to complete figures of 3-25. Sri Lanka’s innings collapsed late, losing their final four wickets for just two runs, and were bowled out for 128 in 19.2 overs. Salman Mirza finished with 3-18, while Wasim Jr claimed 2-7.
Pakistan’s chase began aggressively, with openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan racing to 59 in 5.4 overs. Ayub struck 24 off 18 balls before being bowled by Maheesh Theekshana.
Farhan and captain Salman Ali Agha added 35 runs for the second wicket as Pakistan reached 93-1 at the halfway mark. Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed Agha in the 11th over to briefly slow the scoring.
Farhan went on to register his eighth T20 half-century, reaching 50 off 35 balls with four fours and two sixes, before falling in the 12th over. Shadab then finished the chase calmly, hitting three boundaries in his unbeaten knock as Pakistan reached the target in 16.4 overs.
Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva took one wicket apiece for Sri Lanka, but the hosts were unable to defend a below-par total.
Shadab Khan was named player of the match for his all-round contribution.
The second and third T20 internationals will be played at the same venue on January 9 and 11.
Summarized scores
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets
First T20I, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
Sri Lanka 128 all out, 19.2 overs
(Janith Liyanage 40; Mohammad Salman Mirza 3-18, Abrar Ahmed 3-25, Mohammad Wasim Jr 2-7, Shadab Khan 2-25)
Pakistan 129-4, 16.4 overs
(Sahibzada Farhan 51, Saim Ayub 24, Shadab Khan 18*; Wanindu Hasaranga 1-17, Dhananjaya de Silva 1-4)
Player of the match: Shadab Khan (Pakistan)
Series: Pakistan lead 1-0 (3 matches)
