Shadab, Mirza, Abrar Propel Pakistan to Comfortable T20I Win

Pakistan dominated Sri Lanka in the first T20I, winning by 6 wickets with 20 balls to spare. The match was played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, where Pakistan's bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 128 runs. Shadab Khan, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed were the standout performers, taking 2, 3, and 3 wickets, respectively.

Sri Lanka's innings was marked by regular breakthroughs, with Janith Liyanage's 40 being the only notable resistance. In response, Pakistan's openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan set the tone with a quick 50-run partnership. Farhan went on to score a half-century, guiding Pakistan to a comfortable win.

Shadab's successful comeback

Playing his first match for Pakistan since June 2025, Shadab Khan didn't take long to make an impact. With his third ball, he trapped Kusal Mendis lbw. Two balls later, he had Dhananjaya de Silva caught behind with a googly. De Silva, who was playing his first T20I since the 2024 T20 World Cup, made a run-a-ball 10.

At times, Shadab turned his legbreak square. In his third over, he should have had Janith Liyanage caught at long-on. However, Farhan not only dropped the catch but also parried the ball for a six. Still, Shadab finished with 2 for 25 from his four.

Shadab Khan, who returned to international cricket after shoulder surgery, was named Player of the Match. He emphasized the importance of this series as a preparation for the T20 World Cup.