Sahibzada Farhan’s 45-ball 80 led the way for Pakistan as they swept aside the Sri Lankan challenge in the ongoing T20I tri-series in Rawalpindi by seven wickets.
Sahibzada Farhan led with the bat in tri-series win over Sri Lanka
The Pakistan opener hit a career-best 80 not out in reply to Sri Lanka’s 128 to take the home side to the top of the tri-series standings. Farhan first added 47 runs for the opening wicket with Saim Ayub before stitching another 69 with Babar Azam in the chase as Pakistan romped home in the 16th over.
The right-handed batter’s knock featured six fours and five sixes, the same number of maximums as the rest of the batters combined. In fact, none of the other Pakistan batters scored more than 20, compared to Farhan's 80 not out. This was Farhan's first T20I fifty since his 57 in the Asia Cup final against India, which came in a loss.
The opener was Pakistan’s top-scorer in the continental tournament with 217 runs, which included two fifties and a 40 against India. He had failed to get past 30 in the four T20Is since, three against South Africa and the tri-series opener against Zimbabwe, before hitting form against Sri Lanka.
Also read: The curious case of Sahibzada Farhan, a National T20 Cup record-breaker without a PSL contract
Sahibzada Farhan's top scores in T20Is
| Runs | Balls faced | 4s | 6s | SR | Opposition | Ground | Start Date |
| 80* | 45 | 6 | 5 | 177.77 | v Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi | 22 Nov 2025 |
| 74 | 41 | 4 | 6 | 180.48 | v Bangladesh | Lahore | 30 May 2025 |
| 74 | 53 | 3 | 5 | 139.62 | v West Indies | Lauderhill | 3 Aug 2025 |
| 63 | 41 | 6 | 5 | 153.65 | v Bangladesh | Mirpur | 24 Jul 2025 |
| 58 | 45 | 5 | 3 | 128.88 | v India | Dubai (DICS) | 21 Sep 2025 |
| 57 | 38 | 5 | 3 | 150 | v India | Dubai (DICS) | 28 Sep 2025 |
Match 3, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Mohammad Nawaz's middle-order domination restricts Sri Lanka to 128-7
Pakistan’s comfortable seven-wicket victory was first set up by the left-arm spinner Nawaz, who didn’t let Sri Lanka build on a quick opening stand between Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka (31 runs in 3.1 overs). None of the home bowlers went at over 7.5 runs per over as Sri Lanka could only muster 128-7 in 20 overs.
Janith Liyanage was their top scorer, but his 41 runs came at a strike-rate of 107.89. Kusal Perera (19-ball 25) and Mishara (12-ball 22) were the other significant contributors.
Mohammad Nawaz tightened the screws in the middle overs, bowling four on the trot after the powerplay, and dismissing Perera, Dasun Shanaka and Kamindu Mendis. He conceded just 16 runs in the process, leaving Sri Lanka tottering at 88-6 by the 14th over when he completed his spell.
The win shot Pakistan to the top of the tri-series standings with two wins in two, while Sri Lanka remain in third without a win from their two games.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
