Maaz Sadaqat struck a superb 96 off 51 balls as Pakistan scored 215 for three in 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the second T20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Sadaqat hit six fours and seven sixes, narrowly missing his maiden T20I century after Eshan Malinga dismissed him off the final ball of the innings. His innings came at a strike rate of 188.23.
Captain Sahibzada Farhan scored 73 off 44 balls, including four fours and five sixes, as Pakistan recovered from a steady start to finish with a commanding total. Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 19 off nine balls.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first. Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman for 22 in the seventh over when Maheesh Theekshana took the first wicket, leaving the hosts at 55 for one.
Farhan and Sadaqat then led the recovery with an 88-run partnership for the second wicket. Farhan reached his half-century off 31 balls, while Sadaqat brought up his second consecutive T20I fifty off 30 deliveries.
The pair continued to attack the Sri Lankan bowlers, taking Pakistan past 100 in the 11th over and 150 in the 16th. Farhan fell to Dasun Shanaka for 73 in the 15th over, ending a partnership that had put Pakistan in a strong position.
Sadaqat then accelerated, hitting three sixes in Theekshana’s final over, which cost 22 runs. He reached 96 before Malinga dismissed him at deep cover on the last ball of the innings.
Theekshana finished with one wicket for 55 runs in four overs, while Malinga took one for 41. Shanaka also claimed a wicket, conceding 30 runs in three overs.
Pakistan scored 121 runs for two wickets in the middle overs and added 48 for one in the final five overs. Their innings included 13 sixes and 15 fours, with 138 runs coming from boundaries.
Pakistan won the opening T20I by four wickets on Friday and are seeking to secure the series with another victory. Sri Lanka must score 216 to win the second match.
PLAYING XI
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Imran, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Source: Samaa Web Desk
-Agencies
