Pakistan delivered a dominant performance to seal the T20I series against Sri Lanka with a convincing 82-run victory in the second match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The hosts posted a massive total and then restricted the visitors with sharp bowling to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Batting first after Sri Lanka chose to field, Pakistan made excellent use of the conditions. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman gave a solid start with a 55-run partnership. Fakhar scored 22 off 17 balls before falling to Maheesh Theekshana. Farhan then combined with Maaz Sadaqat for an 88-run stand that pushed the score to 143 for 2. The captain smashed 44 balls of aggressive batting with four fours and five sixes before being caught off Dasun Shanaka.
Sadaqat continued the attack and came agonizingly close to a century. The left-hander blasted six fours and seven sixes to reach 96 off 51 balls, only to be dismissed by Eshan Malinga on the final delivery. Hasan Nawaz provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 19 off nine balls, helping Pakistan finish on a commanding 215 for 3.
Chasing 216, Sri Lanka never found any rhythm. Salman Mirza struck early, removing opener Lahiru Udara for just five in the first over. Mohammad Imran then took charge during the powerplay and claimed key wickets, including Sineth Jayawardena. Captain Kusal Mendis managed only nine runs as Sri Lanka slumped to 74 for 6 inside 12 overs.
A 50-run partnership between Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Maheesh Theekshana offered brief resistance. Wickramasinghe made 29 before Salman Mirza dismissed him in the 19th over. Theekshana remained not out on 32, but the target proved far too steep. Sri Lanka ended on 133 for 7.
Mohammad Imran was the standout bowler with excellent figures of three wickets for 11 runs. Salman Mirza took two, while Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan claimed one each. With this comprehensive win, Pakistan has already secured the series, leaving the final match as a chance to complete a clean sweep.
