Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the opening match of the three-game T20 International series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and invited the host Sri Lanka to bat first.
All-rounder Shadab Khan returned to Pakistan’s final XI. In addition, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Fakhar Zaman, and Usman Khan were included in the team.
Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed were also part of the playing XI.
Thanks to Pakistan’s outstanding bowling, the Sri Lankan team was bowled out for 128 runs in 19.2 overs.
For Sri Lanka, Janith Liyanage scored 40 runs, while Hasaranga and Asalanka scored 18 runs each.
For Pakistan, Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed took 3 wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Wasim claimed 2 wickets apiece.
Pakistan comfortably chased the target of 129 runs, losing 4 wickets, due to a brilliant batting performance by Sahibzada Farhan.
Sahibzada Farhan was the standout for Pakistan, scoring 51 runs off 36 balls. Saim Ayub scored 24 runs.
Salman Ali Agha scored 16 and Fakhar Zaman scored 5 before getting out. Shadab Khan remained unbeaten on 18, while Usman Khan stayed not out on 7 runs.
All matches in the series will be staged at the same venue, with the remaining encounters set for January 9 and 11.
Pakistan Squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.
Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Traveen Mathew, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga.
