Sahibzada Farhan’s sensational century, backed by Fakhar Zaman’s fifty, propelled Pakistan to a massive total of 212 runs against Sri Lanka in a must-win Super Eight clash at Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Kandy, on Saturday.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka’s decision to field first backfired as his team’s bowling unit conceded a daunting 212/8 in 20 overs.
Pakistan’s new opening pair of Farhan and Fakhar gave them a flamboyant start as they raised a monumental 176-run partnership, which saw both openers scoring blistering half-centuries.
Dushmantha Chameera eventually broke the threatening partnership by cleaning up Fakhar, who walked back after scoring 84 off 42 deliveries, laced with nine fours and four sixes.
Pakistan then suffered another setback to their batting expedition in the next over when Dilshan Madushanka got Khawaja Nafay (two) caught at long-on and were thus slipped further to 179/2.
Farhan was then involved in a brief 21-run partnership for the third wicket with Shadab Khan, who contributed with a five-ball seven after getting run out in the 18th over.
Skipper Shanaka pulled things back for Sri Lanka in the penultimate over by dismissing all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha for ducks, and thus brought the total down to 199/5.
Farhan, on the other hand, eventually fell victim to Madushanka on the first delivery of the final over and walked back after top-scoring for Pakistan with 100 off 60 deliveries, studded with nine fours and five sixes.
Madushanka struck again in the pulsating final over, trapping Shaheen Shah Afridi lbw and thus halting the flow of runs for Pakistan at the backend.
Madushanka was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking three wickets for 33 runs in his four overs, followed by Shanaka with two, while Chameera claimed one.
