Inexperienced Shirts sealed a commanding six-wicket win after bowling the Lions out for 128 in Dambulla
Pakistan’s Salman Mirza (R) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Kamil Mishara (L) throughout the first Twenty20 worldwide cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on the Rangiri Dambulla Worldwide Stadium in Dambulla on January 7, 2026. Picture: AFP
Pakistan underlined their credentials as critical contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup with a commanding six-wicket win over Sri Lanka within the opening match of the three-game collection in Rangiri Dambulla Worldwide Stadium on Wednesday.
Touted as a costume rehearsal for the World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host with India, the collection holds added significance for Pakistan, who will play all their match matches on the island owing to political tensions with their nuclear-armed neighbours.
Pakistan ticked most packing containers on the evening, first bottling Sri Lanka up for a modest 128 after which knocking off the goal with 20 deliveries to spare, barely breaking sweat.
Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan performs a shot throughout the first Twenty20 worldwide cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on the Rangiri Dambulla Worldwide Stadium in Dambulla on January 7, 2026. Picture: AFP
The sport tilted decisively in Pakistan’s favour early, with Shadab Khan ripping the guts out of the Sri Lankan innings by putting twice in his very first over.
The leg-spinner, returning after shoulder surgical procedure and enjoying his first match for Pakistan since June final 12 months, marked his comeback with a telling spell.
“When you find yourself getting back from harm it’s powerful. You must begin from zero however the floor was serving to me. We have now our eyes on the World Cup. With all our video games being performed right here in Sri Lanka, it is a excellent collection for us,” player-of-the-match Shadab mentioned.
Abrar Ahmed complemented Shadab neatly, ending with 3-25, whereas left-arm fast Salman Mirza bowled with hearth, mopping up the tail with figures of 3-18 as Sri Lanka have been bowled out with 4 balls unused.
Throughout the run chase, openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan flew out of the blocks, racing to 50 in simply 25 balls.
Pakistan’s Saim Ayub (L) is clear bowled by Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana throughout the first Twenty20 worldwide cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on the Rangiri Dambulla Worldwide Stadium in Dambulla on January 7, 2026. Picture: AFP
Nuwan Thushara bore the brunt of the assault, conceding 31 runs in his first two overs as Pakistan seized early management.
Farhan anchored the chase with a fluent 51 off 36 balls, peppered with 4 fours and two sixes — his eighth T20I half-century — as Pakistan cruised residence with out alarm.
For Sri Lanka, the defeat compounds a turbulent lead-up to the collection that noticed captain Charith Asalanka axed, chairman of selectors Upul Tharanga proven the door and the teaching employees reshuffled.
With little time to catch their breath, the hosts face a swift rethink forward of the second match on Friday on the similar venue.
“We did not get an excellent begin and misplaced too many wickets. That is a matter we have to handle. We recovered nicely and will have gotten over 150, however we misplaced fast wickets,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka mentioned.
