Pakistan posted a formidable 215-3 in their 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the second T20I, with Maaz Sadaqat narrowly missing a century and captain Sahibzada Farhan scoring a brisk 73 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Pakistan made a good start through openers Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, who put on 55 runs for the first wicket in 6.5 overs. Fakhar struck 22 off 17 balls, including four boundaries, before being dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana, with Kamindu Mendis taking the catch.
Farhan then joined by Sadaqat at the crease, and the pair kept up the scoring rate with an 88-run partnership for the second wicket. Their stand took Pakistan to 143-2 in 14.5 overs before Farhan departed, caught by Theekshana off Dasun Shanaka’s bowling.
The Pakistan captain struck four fours and five sixes during his 44-ball innings, providing the platform for a commanding total.
Sadaqat continued the assault after Farhan’s dismissal, bringing Pakistan within touching distance of the 220-run mark. The left-hander smashed six fours and seven sixes and six fours in his 51-ball 96 before Eshan Malinga dismissed him on the final delivery of the innings, leaving him just four runs short of a century.
Hasan Nawaz provided a late flourish, remaining unbeaten on 19 off nine deliveries, including a four and a six, as Pakistan finished at 215-3.
For Sri Lanka, Malinga, Theekshana, and Shanaka claimed one wicket each, while the remaining Pakistan batters stayed unbeaten or were not dismissed by other bowlers.