Pakistan officially kicked off their 2026 cricket calendar and their T20 World Cup 2026 preparations with a clinical performance, defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the series opener. In what is being hailed as a vital "dress rehearsal" for next month's global tournament, the Men in Green proved too strong for the hosts at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
Led by a fluent half-century from Sahibzada Farhan and a masterclass in spin bowling from Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan now leads the three-match series 1-0.
Sri Lanka Stumble: Spinners Dictate Terms
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Pakistan's bowling unit justified the decision immediately. Sri Lanka’s top order crumbled under pressure, losing four wickets for just 38 runs within the powerplay. Salman Mirza set the tone early by removing Kamil Mishara for a duck, while Shadab Khan marked his return to the side with two wickets in his very first over.
The highlight of the first innings was the "mystery" of Abrar Ahmed. The leg-spinner dismantled the middle order, finishing with impressive figures of $3/25$. Despite a fighting 40 from Janith Liyanage, the Sri Lankan tail failed to wag, losing the final three wickets for just one run. The hosts were eventually bundled out for a modest 128 in 19.2 overs.
Key Bowling Stats:
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Salman Mirza: 3/18 (4 overs)
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Abrar Ahmed: 3/25 (4 overs)
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Shadab Khan: 2/25 (4 overs)
Sahibzada Farhan Anchors the Chase
Chasing a target of 129, Pakistan’s openers provided a blistering start. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub raced to 59 runs in the powerplay, effectively taking the game away from Sri Lanka. Farhan was the aggressor, smashing 51 off 36 balls, including four boundaries and two towering sixes.
While a mini-collapse saw Pakistan lose four wickets for 106 runs—including the cheap dismissal of Fakhar Zaman—the result was never in doubt. The experienced Shadab Khan (18) and wicketkeeper Usman Khan (7) guided the team home in the 17th over, finishing the match with 20 balls to spare.
Why This Series Matters: The Road to T20 World Cup 2026
This Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st T20 is more than just a bilateral fixture. With the T20 World Cup 2026 set to begin on February 7, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, both teams are using this series to finalize their squads.
For Pakistan, the stakes are uniquely high. Due to political tensions, Pakistan is scheduled to play all their World Cup matches—including potential semi-finals and the final—on Sri Lankan soil. Mastering these slow, spinning tracks in Dambulla is essential for their championship aspirations.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans:
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Watch the Spinners: The Dambulla pitch is offering significant turn. Expect Abrar Ahmed and Wanindu Hasaranga to be the deciding factors in the remaining games.
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Middle Order Concerns: While Pakistan won comfortably, their middle-order stutter (losing 3 wickets for 12 runs) suggests they still have kinks to iron out before the World Cup.
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Mark Your Calendars: The second T20I takes place on January 9, followed by the series finale on January 11.
Pakistan has set a high bar in the series opener. Can Sri Lanka bounce back, or will the Men in Green seal the series in the next match? Stay tuned for more live updates.
