DAMBULLA, January 8, 2026 — The three-match T20 International series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan got off to an emphatic start on Wednesday as the visitors registered a comprehensive six-wicket victory in the opening encounter at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling effort, followed by a confident batting display, ensured a dominant all-round performance and a crucial 1–0 lead in the series.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 fast approaching — a marquee tournament that Sri Lanka will co-host — this bilateral series carries significant importance for both sides. It serves as a key rehearsal phase, allowing teams to test bench strength, fine-tune combinations, and assess player form under competitive conditions.
Pakistan’s Bowling Sets the Tone
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After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha elected to bowl first, a decision that paid immediate dividends. The Sri Lankan batting lineup struggled to gain momentum against a sharp and disciplined Pakistani bowling attack, eventually getting bowled out for just 128 runs in 19.2 overs.
The standout performers with the ball were young pacer Salman Mirza and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who claimed three wickets apiece. Their ability to extract movement and variation on a slightly slow Dambulla surface kept the Sri Lankan batters under constant pressure.
Returning from injury, senior all-rounder Shadab Khan made an immediate impact. Bowling in the powerplay, Shadab struck twice in his opening over, dismantling the Sri Lankan top order and swinging the momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour.
For the hosts, only Janith Liyanage showed some resistance. His composed 40 off 31 balls prevented a complete collapse, but the lack of support from the other end meant Sri Lanka never looked on course for a competitive total.
Farhan Leads the Chase with Authority
Chasing a modest target of 129, Pakistan got off to a flying start. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub stitched together a brisk 59-run partnership, effectively taking the game away from Sri Lanka inside the powerplay.
Farhan was the standout performer with the bat, producing a fluent and aggressive innings of 51 runs off just 36 deliveries. His knock, decorated with five towering sixes and six boundaries, showcased his intent and ability to dominate bowling attacks — a timely statement as Pakistan evaluates its options ahead of the World Cup.
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Although Pakistan lost a few wickets in the middle overs, there was never any real sense of panic. Shadab Khan once again rose to the occasion, contributing a calm, unbeaten 18 runs, while Usman Khan provided solid support to see the visitors home in just 16.4 overs.
Shadab Khan Shines as Player of the Match
For his impactful all-round contribution — two crucial wickets and a composed finishing effort with the bat — Shadab Khan was rightly adjudged the Player of the Match. His performance underlined his importance to Pakistan’s T20 setup, especially with his experience, versatility, and leadership qualities.
A Strategic Series Before the World Cup
With just over a month remaining before the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan has chosen to rest senior stalwarts such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan. The focus instead has been on providing opportunities to emerging talent and testing squad depth — a strategy that appears to be paying off.
For Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, the loss highlights areas that need immediate attention, particularly batting consistency and middle-order stability.
The second T20 International will be played on January 9, 2026, once again at Dambulla, with the match scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST. Sri Lanka will be eager to bounce back and level the series, while Pakistan will look to build on their momentum and seal the series with another clinical performance.
Historically, Pakistan holds a slight edge in T20 Internationals between the two sides, having won 14 of the 24 matches played so far. This opening result has only strengthened their position — but with two matches still to go, the contest is far from over.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Matches Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 14 | 10 | 24 |
| Sri Lanka | 10 | 14 | 24 |
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