Sri Lanka Start the New Year the Traditional Way

Batting Failures Continue as Pakistan Win 1st T20I by 6 Wickets

Sri Lanka’s familiar New Year struggles with the bat continued as they suffered a 6-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the 1st T20I of the three-match series, played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

Despite a surface that gradually improved for batting, Sri Lanka once again failed to build a competitive total, allowing Pakistan to cruise home with 20 balls to spare.

Pitch Report

Persistent rain meant the pitch was covered for more than 40 hours, leaving noticeable moisture early on.

In the first half, the ball did not come nicely onto the bat, with normal bounce.
As the match progressed, it became an average T20 wicket.
There was no significant air swing for fast bowlers.
Leg-spinners enjoyed assistance, especially when they gave the ball flight.
Finger spinners found very little help.

Toss & Team Changes

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bowl.

Sri Lanka XI – Key Changes

Dhananjaya de Silva came in as a batting all-rounder in place of Kusal Janith Perera
Former captain Charith Asalanka replaced Kamindu Mendis

Pakistan XI – Key Inclusion

Shadab Khan returned after six months, fully recovered from injury
Pakistan went in with three pacers and five spin options, giving them six genuine bowling choices

Sri Lanka Innings – Collapse Once Again (128 all out in 19.2 overs)

Sri Lanka’s innings began on a disastrous note.

Kamil Mishara was dismissed for a duck, misjudging a lofted off-drive off Salman Mirza’s 138 kmph delivery, offering a simple catch to Salman Ali Agha at mid-off.
Pathum Nissanka pulled a length ball outside off stump from Wasim Junior, only to find Mohammad Nawaz at deep square leg.

Sri Lanka limped to 35/2 at the end of the powerplay, with Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva (DDS) at the crease.

Shadab’s Comeback Blow

Returning after six months, Shadab Khan turned the match on its head in his very first over:

Kusal Mendis was trapped LBW (umpire’s call). This marked Chamara de Zoysa’s first-ever international decision on debut as an umpire.
Two balls later, DDS edged behind, with his body language making the decision easier despite the umpire’s initial hesitation.

Middle-Overs Resistance

Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage added 34 runs off 28 balls
Asalanka launched his iconic slog sweep for the first six of the match, taking 11 runs off Nawaz in the 10th over
Janith smashed a six off Shadab in the next over and survived a dropped chance by Shahibzada Farhan at long-on

Abrar Enters, Sri Lanka Falter

Abrar Ahmed ended the partnership by dismissing Asalanka, who edged a flighted googly to keeper Usman Khan while attempting another slog sweep.

Sri Lanka promoted Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of captain Dasun Shanaka, considering Shanaka’s struggles against leg-spin.

Wanindu and Janith counter-attacked:

Took 16 runs off Mohammad Nawaz in the 15th over
Nawaz conceded 40 runs in his 4 overs

Janith Liyanage survived two chances (on 4 and 21) and converted them into a well-made 40, his second-best T20I score.
Wanindu scored 18 off 12, and together they added 38 off 23 balls, Sri Lanka’s best partnership of the innings.

However:

Wanindu was caught at wide long-off immediately after hitting Abrar for a boundary
Janith fell to Abrar in the 18th over

Dramatic Finish

Sri Lanka lost their last four wickets for just one run in 10 deliveries.
Captain Shanaka scored 12 off 9, falling to a well-set trap at deep backward point.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 128 in 19.2 overs.

Pakistan Bowling Highlights

Salman Mirza: 3/18
Abrar Ahmed: 3/25
Shadab Khan: 2/25

Pakistan Chase – Clinical and Calm

Pakistan made a commanding start:

59 runs for 1 wicket in the powerplay
93/1 at halfway stage

Shahibzada Farhan continued his superb form, scoring 51 off 36 balls, his 8th T20I half-century and third 50+ score in his last five innings.

Pakistan reached the target comfortably with:

6 wickets in hand
20 balls remaining

Sri Lanka Bowling

Wanindu Hasaranga: 1/17 (4 overs) – economical spell
Dhananjaya de Silva: 1/4 (2 overs)
- Dismissed Fakhar Zaman in his second delivery, marking his return to T20I bowling after 18 months
Maheesh Theekshana: 1 wicket
Dushmantha Chameera: 1 wicket

Turning Point

🟡 7th over of Sri Lanka’s innings – Shadab Khan’s double strike completely derailed the hosts and swung the momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour.

Smart Stats

Player of the Match: Shadab Khan
- 2/25 with the ball
- 18 runs off 12 balls
Shahibzada Farhan recorded his 8th T20I 50+ score

Footnote

Pakistan take a 1–0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
The 2nd T20I will be played on January 9 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.