RAWALPINDI, Oct 11 (IN): Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 82 runs in the second Twenty20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with one game remaining.After posting an imposing 215 for three in their allotted 20 overs, Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to 133 for seven to secure a comprehensive victory and clinch the series.Maaz Sadaqat led Pakistan’s batting charge with a blistering 96 off 51 balls, narrowly missing his maiden T20I century, while captain Sahibzada Farhan contributed an impressive 73 off 44 deliveries.Sadaqat struck six fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 188.23, helping Pakistan maintain a scoring rate of 10.75 runs per over.Farhan and Fakhar Zaman provided a brisk start, adding 55 runs for the opening wicket. Fakhar scored 22 off 17 balls before being dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana.Sadaqat then joined Farhan to build an 88-run partnership for the second wicket.
Farhan struck four fours and five sixes before Dasun Shanaka dismissed him for 73 in the 15th over.Sadaqat continued his aggressive innings, taking Pakistan past the 200-run mark before Eshan Malinga dismissed him on the final ball. Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 19 off nine deliveries, adding valuable runs in the closing stages.For Sri Lanka, Theekshana, Shanaka and Malinga took one wicket each.In reply, Sri Lanka struggled from the outset, losing Lahiru Udara for five in the opening over. Sineth Jayawardena scored 22 runs, while captain Kusal Mendis managed just nine as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained control of the chase.Mohammad Imran delivered an outstanding performance, claiming three wickets for just 11 runs in his four overs.
Salman Mirza took two wickets for 28 runs, while Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan picked up one wicket apiece.Kamindu Mendis scored 23, and Chamindu Wickramasinghe contributed 29 off 24 balls. Maheesh Theekshana remained unbeaten on 32 off 26 deliveries, including four boundaries, but Sri Lanka finished well short of the target at 133 for seven.Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and timely breakthroughs prevented the visitors from establishing meaningful partnerships and kept them under pressure throughout the innings.The victory followed Pakistan’s four-wicket win in the opening T20I on Friday. The two sides will face each other in the third and final match of the series on Tuesday.
