Maaz Sadaqat’s 96 and Mohammad Imran’s Three-Wicket Haul Secure Unassailable 2-0 Lead in Rawalpindi
Sadaqat and Farhan Power Pakistan to an Imposing 215
Pakistan clinched the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with an emphatic 82-run victory in the second match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The hosts posted an imposing 215 for three in 20 overs before restricting Sri Lanka to 133 for seven, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Maaz Sadaqat starred with the bat, smashing 96 off 51 balls, including six fours and seven sixes. Captain Sahibzada Farhan also delivered a commanding performance, scoring 73 off 44 deliveries with four boundaries and five sixes.
Pakistan made a brisk start after Sri Lanka elected to field, with Farhan and Fakhar Zaman adding 55 runs for the opening wicket. Fakhar contributed 22 off 17 balls before being dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana. Sadaqat then joined Farhan to build an 88-run partnership for the second wicket. Both batters attacked the Sri Lankan bowling, keeping the scoring rate high and putting Pakistan in control.
Farhan departed for 73 in the 15th over, but Sadaqat continued his aggressive innings. He fell just four runs short of a maiden T20I century on the final delivery of the innings, caught by Dasun Shanaka off Eshan Malinga. Hasan Nawaz provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 19 off nine balls as Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark to finish at 215 for three.
Mohammad Imran Leads Disciplined Defense
In reply, Sri Lanka struggled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack and lost wickets at regular intervals.
Mohammad Imran led the attack with three wickets for just 11 runs in four overs, while Salman Mirza claimed two wickets for 28 runs. Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan took one wicket apiece.
Sineth Jayawardena scored 22, Kamindu Mendis made 23 and Chamindu Wickramasinghe contributed 29 off 24 balls. Maheesh Theekshana remained unbeaten on 32 off 26 deliveries, but Sri Lanka could manage only 133 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.
Pakistan Eyes a Clean Sweep
The comprehensive win confirmed Pakistan’s series triumph following their four-wicket victory in the opening T20I on Friday.
The third and final T20I will provide Sri Lanka an opportunity to finish the series on a positive note, while Pakistan will look to complete a clean sweep on home soil.
