Maaz Sadaqat’s 96 helps Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 82 runs, seal T20I series in Rawalpindi

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 82 runs in the second T20 International at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 11 October, to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Maaz Sadaqat top-scored with 96 off 51 balls as Pakistan posted 215 for 3.

Sri Lanka, who chose to field, were held to 133 for 7 in their 20 overs. Pakistan had won the first match of the series by four wickets while chasing 183, Yahoo Sports reported.

Sadaqat and Farhan lead the charge

Captain Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put on 55 for the first wicket in 6.5 overs before Fakhar was caught by Kamindu Mendis off Maheesh Theekshana for 22 off 17 balls, The News reported.

Farhan made 73 off 44 balls with four fours and five sixes, and added 88 for the second wicket with Sadaqat. He was dropped twice, according to Yahoo Sports. Sadaqat hit six fours and seven sixes before he was caught at deep cover off the final ball of the innings, four short of a maiden T20I century. Reports differ on the bowler: The News credited Eshan Malinga, while Yahoo Sports named Dasun Shanaka. Hasan Nawaz finished unbeaten on 19 off nine balls.

• Pakistan: 215/3 in 20 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 96 off 51, Sahibzada Farhan 73 off 44, Fakhar Zaman 22 off 17, Hasan Nawaz 19* off 9)
• Sri Lanka: 133/7 in 20 overs (Maheesh Theekshana 32* off 26, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 29 off 24, Kusal Mendis 9)
• Best bowling: Mohammad Imran 3/11 in four overs; Salman Mirza two wickets
• Result: Pakistan won by 82 runs; lead series 2-0 with one match to play
• Attendance: 17,535, described as a record for the venue (Yahoo Sports)

Sri Lanka’s chase never recovers

Salman Mirza removed Lahiru Udara for 5 in the first over. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis was dismissed for 9 by Mohammad Imran, who is named Imran Randhawa in the Yahoo Sports report. Imran finished with 3 for 11 in four overs.

Sri Lanka slid to 74 for 6 after 11.5 overs. Theekshana, unbeaten on 32, and Wickramasinghe, who made 29, added 50 for the seventh wicket, but the visitors finished well short of the target of 216.

What the players said

“I was trying to make the most of my form,” Sadaqat said, according to News24. Mendis said: “Batters need to take responsibility including me.” News24 reported that he also said his team had not fielded well in the first two matches and needed at least 200 runs on a batting-friendly pitch.

The date and venue of the third T20I were not given in the reports consulted.

Sources: The News, Yahoo Sports, News24.