Pakistan underlined their status as strong contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup with a commanding six-wicket victory over the Sri Lanka cricket team in the opening T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The three-match series serves as a crucial rehearsal for the T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host with India. The series holds added importance for the Pakistan cricket team, who will play all their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka due to ongoing political tensions.
Pakistan dominated from the outset. They restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 before chasing down the target with 20 balls to spare. The visitors remained in control throughout and never allowed pressure to build.
The match swung decisively in Pakistan’s favour early in Sri Lanka’s innings. Shadab Khan struck twice in his opening over to dismantle the top order. Playing his first international match since June last year following shoulder surgery, the leg-spinner made an immediate impact.
🇵🇰 Pakistan win the opener of the 3-match T20I series on Sri Lanka’s home turf 🏏#SLvPAK #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/6kYiObaARy
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 7, 2026“When you return from injury, it is never easy,” Shadab said after earning player-of-the-match honours. “You have to start again from zero. The pitch helped me, and our focus is clearly on the World Cup. Playing all our matches here makes this series very important.”
Shadab received strong support from Abrar Ahmed, who claimed 3 for 25. Left-arm pacer Salman Mirza finished the job with figures of 3 for 18 as Sri Lanka were bowled out with four deliveries remaining.
Pakistan’s chase began aggressively. Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan raced to 50 in just 25 balls. Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara struggled to contain the assault, conceding 31 runs in his first two overs.
⚡Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan brings up his 8th T20I half-century 🏏#SLvPAK #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/mmB1MvsPfj
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 7, 2026Farhan anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 36 balls, including four fours and two sixes. It marked his eighth T20I half-century and ensured Pakistan crossed the line without any late drama.
For Sri Lanka, the defeat adds to an unsettled build-up to the series. Recent changes saw captain Charith Asalanka removed, chief selector Upul Tharanga dismissed, and the coaching staff reshuffled.
Stand-in captain Dasun Shanaka admitted his side fell short. “We lost too many wickets early,” he said. “We recovered well but should have scored over 150. That is something we must fix quickly.”
With little time to regroup, Sri Lanka will look to respond in the second T20I on Friday at the same venue, while Pakistan aim to build further momentum ahead of the World Cup.
