Key Highlights
- Babar Azam’s composed 64 anchored a competitive first-innings total for Pakistan.
- Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah delivered an eight-run victory with disciplined death bowling.
- Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka kept alive the chase with a fluent fifty, but regular wickets denied them.
- The match took place in Rawalpindi under lively pitch conditions with early seam movement and later a dry outfield.
Match Overview: Pakistan Sees Off Sri Lanka by 8 Runs
The T20 International clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium in Rawalpindi saw Babar Azam’s composed innings of 64 (45) anchoring a competitive first-innings total. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah’s disciplined death bowling ensured an eight-run victory for the home side, securing their position in the series.
Conditions at Gaddafi Stadium
The pitch offered a fresh wicket with early seam movement that favored the pacers, but it settled into a truer batting strip by mid-innings. The outfield remained rapid throughout, which was ideal for chasers to exploit their shots more freely. Despite heavy dew expected after 8 PM, the conditions stayed clear and dry, favoring aggressive batting until the end.
Strategic Decisions
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first, aiming to exploit early seam movement and take advantage of the dew later in the evening. Their strategy backfired as Pakistan responded with controlled aggression from the outset. Saim Ayub’s powerplay performance was a highlight, but it was Babar Azam who took over with a masterclass in pace management.
Key Innings
Babar Azam’s innings was key to setting up 184/5, which remained competitive considering the early assistance from the pitch. Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan contributed valuable late runs as Pakistan reached their target with a few overs to spare. On the other side, Pathum Nissanka’s fluent fifty kept Sri Lanka within striking distance, but regular wickets at both ends meant they fell short by 8 runs.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s blend of early aggression, Babar Azam’s anchoring role, and disciplined death bowling proved decisive. This victory sets a strong foundation for their upcoming matches in the series, while Sri Lanka will need to refine their batting consistency under challenging conditions.
Player of the Match: Babar Azam
Babar Azam’s assured 64 (45) provided Pakistan with a strong total that was just enough to withstand Sri Lanka’s spirited chase. His composed innings anchored the team and set up a challenging target for the visitors.
Stay tuned for updates on the ongoing series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as both teams prepare for their next encounters.
