Maaz Sadaqat’s 96 powers Pakistan to series-clinching win over Sri Lanka

Pakistan clinched the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with an 82-run win in the second match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Maaz Sadaqat fell just short of his maiden T20I century, scoring 96 off 51 balls, while captain Sahibzada Farhan made 73 as Pakistan posted 215/3 after being put in to bat.

The hosts then restricted Sri Lanka to 133/7 to take an unassailable 2-0 lead with one match remaining.

Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a poor start when Salman Mirza dismissed opener Lahiru Udara for five in the first over.

Visitors collapse under pressure

Captain Kusal Mendis and Sineth Jayawardena tried to steady the innings, but their stand ended in the final over of the powerplay when Mohammad Imran dismissed Jayawardena. The wicket triggered a collapse, with Sri Lanka losing four more wickets, including Mendis for nine, to slump to 74/6 in 11.5 overs.

Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Maheesh Theekshana offered some resistance, adding 50 runs for the seventh wicket. Salman broke the stand in the penultimate over, dismissing Wickramasinghe for 29 off 24 balls.

Theekshana remained unbeaten on 32 off 26 deliveries, including four fours, but Sri Lanka finished well short of the target.

Imran led Pakistan’s bowling attack with 3/11 in four overs. Salman took two wickets, while Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan claimed one each.

Pakistan build on strong opening stand

Earlier, Pakistan made a brisk start after Mendis chose to field, with Farhan and Fakhar Zaman adding 55 runs for the opening wicket.

Fakhar scored 22 off 17 balls, hitting four fours, before Theekshana dismissed him in the seventh over.

Sadaqat joined Farhan at the crease and the pair built on the start, putting together 88 runs for the second wicket. Farhan reached his 12th T20I half-century before Dasun Shanaka ended the partnership in the 15th over, dismissing the Pakistan captain for 73 off 44 balls, with five sixes and four fours.

Sadaqat kept the scoring rate high alongside Hasan Nawaz, and the pair added 72 runs for the fourth wicket. Sadaqat fell on the final ball of the innings, having struck seven fours and six sixes in his 51-ball 96.

Hasan finished unbeaten on 19 off nine deliveries as Pakistan reached 215/3. Shanaka, Theekshana and Nuwan Thushara took one wicket apiece for Sri Lanka.

The teams will return to Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday for the third and final T20I, with Pakistan looking to complete a series sweep.