Pakistan delivered a commanding batting performance in the second Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka on Sunday, posting a formidable total of 215 for three wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The hosts now stand on the brink of clinching the three-match series after taking a 1-0 lead in the opening fixture.
Maaz Sadaqat came agonizingly close to a maiden T20I century, smashing 96 runs off just 51 deliveries before falling on the final ball of the innings. The left-handed batter’s explosive knock featured seven towering sixes and six boundaries, leaving him just four runs short of what would have been a memorable milestone. His dismissal by Eshan Malinga denied Pakistan a chance to breach the 220-run mark.
Captain Sahibzada Farhan led from the front with a blistering 73 off 44 balls, striking four fours and five sixes to set the tone for Pakistan’s assault. Farhan and opening partner Fakhar Zaman provided a solid foundation with a 55-run stand before Fakhar departed for 22. The captain then combined with Sadaqat for a crucial 88-run partnership that pushed Pakistan to 143 for two in under 15 overs.
Hasan Nawaz added a late flourish with an unbeaten 19 off nine balls, ensuring Pakistan finished strongly despite Sadaqat’s late dismissal.
The performance marks the second consecutive strong showing for Pakistan’s revamped T20I lineup. In the series opener on Friday, Farhan scored 89 and Sadaqat contributed a half-century as Pakistan successfully chased down 183 with four wickets in hand. That victory came after Sri Lanka posted 182 for eight, with opener Lahiru Udara top-scoring before Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Naseem Shah’s three wickets, restricted the visitors.
The series has drawn significant attention in Pakistan due to the notable absence of star batsmen Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Speaking before the series, Farhan acknowledged the duo’s world-class credentials and suggested they could return to T20I cricket at any time. Babar last played a T20I in February during the T20 World Cup, while Rizwan has been sidelined and is currently under investigation following a case with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
Farhan, who has captaincy experience in domestic cricket, expressed confidence in his leadership role and praised former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as a role model for creating positive team environments.
For Sri Lanka, Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dasun Shanaka each claimed one wicket on Sunday, but their bowlers struggled to contain Pakistan’s aggressive batting lineup.
The third and final T20I is scheduled for October 13 at the same venue, with Pakistan needing just one more victory to seal the series. If Sunday’s batting display is any indication, the hosts will be confident of wrapping up a comprehensive series win on home soil.
