Sensational Pakistan outclass Sri Lanka to seal T20I series 2-0
By Nawaz Gohar ; A blistering batting display led by Maaz Sadaqat and captain Sahibzada Farhan powered Pakistan to a commanding 82-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, securing an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series.
Opting to field first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka struggled to contain a ruthless Pakistani batting lineup. The hosts posted a formidable total of 215 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs.
Maaz Sadaqat spearheaded the assault with a magnificent 96 off just 51 deliveries, featuring 6 boundaries and 7 colossal sixes. Though he narrowly missed out on a deserving century, his high-tempo knock kept the Sri Lankan bowling attack under relentless pressure throughout.
Captain Sahibzada Farhan played a vital leadership role at the other end, smashing 73 off 44 balls with 4 fours and 5 sixes. Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Nawaz contributed brisk cameos of 22 and 19 runs, respectively. For Sri Lanka, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dasun Shanaka picked up a wicket apiece.
Chasing a daunting target of 216 runs, the Sri Lankan batting lineup failed to build momentum against a disciplined Pakistani bowling assault, ultimately restricted to 133 for 7 in their 20 overs.
Maheesh Theekshana top-scored for the visitors with 32 runs, while Chamindu Wickramasinghe (29), Kamindu Mendis (23), and Sanath Jayasuriya (22) made modest contributions before falling to scoreboard pressure.
Imran Randhawa was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking 3 key wickets to dismantle the middle order, while Salman Mirza claimed 2 scalps. Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with one wicket each. With this emphatic victory, Pakistan has sealed the series 2–0, rendering the third and final T20I a mere formality.
