Shadab Khan starred with an all-round display, claiming figures of 2-25 and later scoring an unbeaten 18 off 12 balls, as Pakistan secured a six-wicket victory while chasing 129 in the opening T20I against Sri Lanka at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday night.

By PakPassion Staff (January 7th, 2026)

After choosing to bowl first, Pakistan struck early when Mohammad Salman Mirza removed Kamil Mishara in the third over. Mohammad Wasim Jnr followed up in the next over by dismissing Pathum Nissanka (12 off 12, 2 fours), leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 15-2 after 3.2 overs.

Returning to international cricket after injury, Shadab made an immediate impact in his first over, dismissing Kusal Mendis (14 off 15, 2 fours) and Dhananjaya de Silva (10 off 10, 1 four) within three deliveries to reduce the hosts to 38-4 after 6.5 overs.

Charith Asalanka (18 off 15, 1 six) and Janith Liyanage, who top-scored with 40 off 31 balls (2 fours, 1 six), added 34 runs for the fifth wicket before Abrar Ahmed broke the stand in the 12th over, making it 72-5. Liyanage then forged another 38-run partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga (18 off 12, 3 fours) to lift the total to 110, but Abrar struck again in the 16th over to dismiss Hasaranga.

Abrar (3-25) claimed his third wicket in the 18th over by removing Liyanage, with the scoreboard at 127-7. Salman Mirza and Wasim Jnr wrapped up the innings soon after, as Sri Lanka lost their final four wickets for just two runs and were bowled out for 128 in 19.2 overs.

Salman Mirza delivered an impressive spell of 3-18 from four overs, while Abrar also took three wickets. Shadab and Wasim Jnr chipped in with two wickets each.

Chasing 129, Pakistan made a confident start through openers Saim Ayub (24 off 18, 3 fours, 1 six) and Sahibzada Farhan, who put on 59 runs in 5.4 overs before Saim was bowled by Maheesh Theekshana (1-31).

Farhan and captain Salman Ali Agha (16) added a further 35 runs for the second wicket, taking Pakistan to 93-1 at the halfway mark. Hasaranga provided a breakthrough by dismissing Agha early in the 11th over.

Farhan reached his eighth T20 half-century from 35 balls — hitting four fours and two sixes — but was dismissed in the 12th over with the score at 101-3.

Shadab then guided Pakistan home with an unbeaten 18 off 12, striking three boundaries as the visitors completed the chase in 16.4 overs with six wickets to spare.

For Sri Lanka, Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva picked up one wicket each.