Sri Lanka vs Pakistan HIGHLIGHTS, 1st T20: PAK beat hosts SL by 6 wickets, take 1-0 lead in series
Farhan's half century paved the way in the chase for the visitors as Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series.
 "PAK vs SL 1st T20I")
PAK vs SL 1st T20I
Pakistan delivered a dominant all-round performance to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series, winning with clinical precision. After winning the toss, they controlled the game from the start, executing their plans flawlessly. The new-ball pair of Mohammad Wasim and Salman Mirza provided an early breakthrough, removing Sri Lanka's openers inside the powerplay. The early wickets set the tone, and Sri Lanka never recovered from the pressure.
Their batting faltered, with partnerships failing to materialize and wickets falling at regular intervals. The Sri Lankan innings limped to a modest total of 128, a score that never seemed threatening.
Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed were the standout bowlers for Pakistan, both taking three wickets. Mirza’s tight spell was crucial in breaking the back of Sri Lanka’s middle order, while Ahmed capitalized on the pressure to dismiss key batsmen. The Sri Lankan side struggled to get going, with only a few players showing any resistance, but they were unable to build partnerships that could have put Pakistan under pressure.
In reply, Pakistan chased down the target with ease, maintaining an attacking approach from the very start. The openers, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub, set the tone, taking on the Sri Lankan bowlers and racing to a quick start. Farhan, in particular, was in excellent form, scoring a composed fifty to anchor the innings. Despite a few middle-order wickets falling, Pakistan was always in control of the chase. They wrapped up the game in just 16.4 overs, completing a comprehensive win.
Pakistan’s clinical performance with both bat and ball ensures they are firmly in charge, leaving Sri Lanka with much to ponder ahead of the second T20I.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I playing 11:
Sri Lanka Playing 11: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
Pakistan playing 11: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
10:13 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: Pakistan cruise to victory!
Pakistan have secured a comfortable 6-wicket win against hosts Sri Lanka. Chasing down a comfortable 129 on the night, it was Farhan's half century that guided the chase in Dambulla.
10:07 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: PAK need 10 runs off 30 balls!
Pakistan now need just 10 runs to win in the last 5 overs with Usman and Shadab at the crease.
9:58 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: Fakhar Zaman departs!
Dhananjaya de Silva gets his first wicket as Fakhar Zaman departs via a stumping by the keeper. PAK lose their 4th wicket now with the score at 106/4
9:56 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: PAK need 23 off 42 balls!
Pakistan cruising towards the win as they just need 23 runs to win in the last 7 overs.
9:51 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: Farhan departs after fifty!
Farhan is caught at long off as Chameera gets another wicket. A well made 51 from the opener.
9:50 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: 50 for Fifty!
Farhan delivers for his side again with a well hit fifty.
9:46 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: Hasaranga gets Salman!
Hasaranga bowled a juicy full toss to Salman Agha, who charged down the wicket and attempted to clear the boundary. However, he miscued the shot, sending the ball towards long-on. Pathum Nissanka positioned himself well and comfortably took the catch, dismissing Agha. Despite the full toss, Hasaranga picked up a crucial wicket as Agha was caught out for a mis-timed shot, with the score now one wicket down for Pakistan.
9:32 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: 13 runs from the over!
Over Summary 1 1 1 2 4lb 4; PAK 76/1 after 8 overs; Farhan 42 (25) Salman 4 (5)
Chameera continues the attack for Sri Lanka and concedes 13 runs from the over
9:26 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: 4 runs from the over!
Over Summary 0 0 1 1 1 1; PAK 63/1 after 7 overs; Farhan 36 (22) Salman 2 (3)
Hasaranga continues the attack for Sri Lanka and concedes 4 runs from the over
9:20 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: Saim cleaned up by Theekshana!
Theekshana gets the breakthrough as Saim Ayub is cleaned up in the last over fo the powerplay!
9:18 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: PAK 55/0 after 5 overs!
Dushmantha Chameera bowled a solid over, conceding 8 runs. Sahibzada Farhan welcomed him with a boundary, driving a slower ball over extra cover. Farhan then miscued a lofted shot, but managed to clear mid-on for two runs. A leg bye followed after Farhan missed a flick, with the ball hitting his thigh pad. Chameera then bowled a back-of-a-length delivery, which Saim Ayub sliced for a single. Ayub survived a close call, as Chameera’s appeal for caught behind was reviewed but turned down, with UltraEdge showing no contact. Farhan defended the final ball, leaving Pakistan at 55-0.
9:06 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: Farhan hits big!
Nuwan Thushara’s over went for 19 runs, with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub taking full advantage. Farhan started with a single to long-on after a full delivery. He then hit back-to-back sixes, the first a mishit that went over deep backward square and the second a powerful shot straight down the ground into the sightscreen. Thushara’s dipping yorker to Farhan was dug out to mid-on for no run. Ayub contributed with a well-timed four over mid-wicket and a single to deep mid-wicket. Thushara also bowled a wide down leg to Ayub. Pakistan were 40-0 after 3 overs.
9:03 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: Good start by PAK!
In the second over, Maheesh Theekshana bowled a tight spell, conceding 9 runs. Saim Ayub hit a magnificent six over extra cover after Theekshana's full delivery, followed by singles from both Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan. Theekshana continued to bowl full and straight, but the surface offered little assistance, with Ayub finding gaps for easy singles.
In the first over, Nuwan Thushara struggled with line and length, conceding two boundaries to Farhan—one flicked off the pads and the other a similar shot backward of square. Ayub took a single to mid-on, and Farhan’s drive to cover brought another single. Pakistan were 21-0 after 2 overs.
8:37 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: SL set 129-run target for PAK!
Pakistan bowlers restrict the hosts to a paltry 128 in their 20 overs as they look to chase down the low total on the night now.
8:29 PM
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES, 1st T20I: Quick double blow!
Linayage (40) who looked good in the middle departs alongside the skipper Shanaka as Sri Lanka continue to lose quick wickets while trying to hit big shots in the middle. Salman gets his 2nd wicket of the night
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First Published: Jan 07 2026 | 6:00 PM IST