SL vs PAK, 1st T20I: Match Highlights

Visitors Pakistan started their Sri Lanka tour just ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 strongly with a comfortable six-wicket win in the first game of the three-match T20I series on Wednesday (January 7).

After Pakistan chose to field first at Dambulla, they bowled out Sri Lanka for only 128 runs in 19.2 overs. In reply, the visitors comfortably chased the target in 16.4 overs after losing four wickets.

Pakistan bowlers dominated Sri Lankan innings

Apart from Janith Liyanage, who scored 40 runs off 31 balls with two fours and one six, no other Lankan batters managed to reach the 20-run mark in that innings. 

Among the Pakistan bowlers, Salman Mirza (3/18) and Abrar Ahmed (3/25) got three wickets each, Mohammad Wasim (2/7) and Shadab Khan (2/25) picked up two wickets each. 

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Sahibzada Farhan scored 51 runs

In reply, Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub provided a perfect start in the low chase. They had a 59-run partnership for the first wicket in 5.5 overs, where Saim scored 24 off 18 balls with three fours and one six before losing his wicket. 

Sahibzada scored 51 off 36 balls with four fours and two sixes, but the visitors had a little collapse, as they lost three wickets for 12 runs, battling at 106/4 in 13.2 overs. Usman Khan (7*) and Shadab Khan (18*) confidently finished the game without any further hiccups. For his useful all-round performances, Shadab Khan got the Player of the Match award. 

Although four Sri Lankan bowlers managed to pick up one wicket each, they didn't have many runs to defend. 

In this Sri Lanka tour, Pakistan will play three T20Is before starting their journey in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. While India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the upcoming ICC tournament between February 7 and March 8, Pakistan will play all their matches in the tournament in Sri Lanka, including the Semi-final and Final, if they qualify.