Farhan hits 89 as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in first T20I

Sahibzada Farhan scored 89 from 53 balls as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first men's Twenty20 international at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 9. According to BBC Sport's scorecard, Pakistan finished on 187 for six in 18.5 overs, passing Sri Lanka's 182 for eight with seven deliveries remaining.

Watch the highlights:

Farhan, listed as Pakistan's captain, hit 10 fours and four sixes during the chase. Fakhar Zaman contributed 21 from 13 deliveries before becoming the first wicket to fall with the total at 54 in the sixth over. Maaz Sadaqat then made 50 from 29 balls, including four fours and three sixes, helping move Pakistan to 146 before his dismissal.

Sri Lanka took three wickets in relatively quick succession to interrupt that progress. Maheesh Theekshana trapped Maaz lbw at 146 for two, Dushmantha Chameera removed Hasan Nawaz for one, and Theekshana bowled Saim Ayub for eight. Pakistan were 156 for four after 15.1 overs, still needing 27 runs to reach their target, with Farhan remaining at the crease through those dismissals.

Farhan eventually fell to Nuwan Thushara with Pakistan on 179, and Shadab Khan was dismissed without scoring at 180 for six. Khawaja Nafay finished unbeaten on 12 from seven balls, including a six, while Mohammad Imran Randhawa was not out on nought. Eshan Malinga returned two for 33 from 3.5 overs and Theekshana two for 36 from four, but Sri Lanka could not prevent the chase being completed.

Earlier, Sri Lanka chose to bat and relied heavily on Lahiru Udara, who struck 91 from 55 deliveries with 11 fours and one six. Kusal Mendis made one and Kamil Mishara six as the visitors slipped to 18 for two. Kamindu Mendis contributed 23, while Dasun Shanaka scored 18 with two sixes. Udara was the seventh wicket to fall, leaving Sri Lanka at 172 in the final stages of the innings.

Naseem Shah led Pakistan's wicket-taking with three for 36 from four overs, dismissing Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage and Udara. Randhawa took two for 21 from his four overs, while Razaullah, Shadab and Saim claimed one wicket each. Pakistan also conceded 29 extras, including 18 wides, before their batters completed the pursuit.