Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 82 runs – 2nd T20I Report
Pakistan won by 82 runs in the 165th match of 188 in the T20 Internationals at Rawalpinski Cricket Stadium. Mohammad Imran Randhawa delivered a masterclass with the ball – 3 for 11 from 4 overs at an economy of 2.75 – to dismantle Sri Lanka’s chase after Maaz Sadaqat had smashed 96 off 51 balls to lift Pakistan to 215. Sri Lanka managed only 133 in reply, falling well short in the 2nd T20I.
Pakistan’s Batting Onslaught – 215 for 3
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl, but Pakistan’s top order came out swinging. Sahibzada Farhan set the tone with 73 off 44 balls (4 fours, 5 sixes) at a strike rate of 166, building momentum in the powerplay before falling caught at 143 for 1 in the 14th over. Fakhar Zaman contributed 22 off 17 (4 fours) in a 55-run opening stand but departed at 55 for 2 in the 6th over.
The real carnage came from Maaz Sadaqat, who unleashed a brutal assault on Sri Lanka’s bowling attack. His 96 off 51 balls (6 fours, 7 sixes) at a strike rate of 188 took Pakistan from 143 for 1 to 215 for 3 by the 19th over. Sadaqat’s innings was the centrepiece of Pakistan’s total, combining aggression with timing to punish every loose delivery. Hasan Nawaz finished unbeaten on 19 off 9 (1 four, 1 six) to add late acceleration.
Sri Lanka’s bowling was expensive throughout. Binura Fernando conceded 42 from 4 overs, while Nuwan Thushara went for 32 from 4. Maheesh Theekshana took 1 for 55 from 4 overs, Eshan Malinga claimed 1 for 41, and Dasun Shanaka picked up 1 for 30 from 3, but the damage was already done.
Sri Lanka’s Chase Collapses – 133 All Out
Chasing 216, Sri Lanka’s innings never gained traction. Lahiru Udara fell for 5 at 6 for 1 in the first over, and Sineth Jayawardene managed 22 off 21 (4 fours) before falling at 35 for 2 in the 5th over. Kusal Mendis struggled to 9 off 15 (strike rate 60) at 48 for 3, while Kamindu Mendis contributed 23 off 19 (2 fours, 1 six) before falling at 74 for 4 in the 11th over.
The collapse accelerated when Sahan Arachchige fell for a duck at 49 for 5 in the 7th over, and Dasun Shanaka managed just 9 off 8 (1 six) at 64 for 6 in the 10th over. Chamindu Wickramasinghe fought back with 29 off 24 (1 four, 1 six) to reach 124 for 7 in the 18th over, but the chase was already beyond reach. Maheesh Theekshana finished unbeaten on 32 off 26 (4 fours) in a losing effort, but Sri Lanka limped to 133 for 7 – an 82-run defeat.
Mohammad Imran Randhawa was the architect of Sri Lanka’s downfall, taking 3 for 11 from 4 overs at an economy of just 2.75. Salman Mirza took 2 for 28 from 3 overs, while Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan each claimed 1 for 19 from 3 overs. Pakistan’s bowling was disciplined and relentless, suffocating Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
Statz MVP: Mohammad Imran Randhawa (Statz Rating: 179.06)
Mohammad Imran Randhawa earns the Statz MVP award with a rating of 179.06. His 3 for 11 from 4 overs was the standout performance of the match – a masterclass in death bowling and control that dismantled Sri Lanka’s chase when it mattered most. Randhawa’s economy of 2.75 was exceptional in a T20 context, and his impact on the match outcome was decisive.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Mohammad Imran Randhawa (PAK) – Statz Rating: 179.06 | 3/11 from 4 overs (economy 2.75) – Miserly death bowling that strangled Sri Lanka’s chase.
- Maaz Sadaqat (PAK) – Statz Rating: 101.31 | 96 off 51 balls (SR 188, 6 fours, 7 sixes) – Explosive batting that set Pakistan’s total.
- Sahibzada Farhan (PAK) – Statz Rating: 71.2 | 73 off 44 balls (SR 166, 4 fours, 5 sixes) – Aggressive start that laid the platform.
- Maheesh Theekshana (SL) – Statz Rating: 70.54 | 32 not out off 26 balls (SR 123, 4 fours) plus 1/55 with the ball – Lone bright spot in Sri Lanka’s defeat.
- Dasun Shanaka (SL) – Statz Rating: 45.65 | 9 off 8 with the bat (1 six) and 1/30 from 3 overs with the ball – Limited impact in a heavy loss.
Turning Point
The match turned decisively when Mohammad Imran Randhawa took 3 for 11 from 4 overs with the ball. Sri Lanka’s chase never recovered from the early wickets and the mounting run rate. By the time Chamindu Wickramasinghe fell at 124 for 7 in the 18th over, the result was no longer in doubt – Pakistan’s bowling had suffocated the chase beyond repair.
Match Context
This was the 165th match of 188 in the T20 Internationals. Pakistan (ranked 6th in the ICC T20I rankings with a rating of 240) dominated the 2nd T20I to take control of the series. Sri Lanka (ranked 10th with a rating of 220) were outplayed in all departments. Check the head-to-head record and explore match projections on Statz for more insight into this dominant Pakistan performance.
