DAMBULLA: Pakistan started the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup year on a winning note, brushing aside Sri Lanka in the first T20I by six wickets in Dambulla on Wednesday.

The young bowling trio of Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Wasim, backed up by a returning Shadab Khan, shared all the Sri Lankan wickets as the home side was dismissed for 128 in 19.2 overs after being put into bat. Sahibzada Farhan then continued from where he left off in 2025 with a brisk half-century to steer Pakistan home in 16.4 overs for the loss of four wickets.

Pakistan, without established fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, were well served by Salman Mirza and Mohammad Wasim, who caused early damage as Sri Lanka slipped to 38 for four in seven overs. The spin duo of Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan never let the home side off the hook, continuing to create inroads before the host side was eventually dismissed for 128 with four balls remaining.

Salman finished with three for 18, and Wasim picked up two for seven in 14 balls. Abrar had figures of three for 25, while Shadab Khan, playing his first T20I since June 2025, bagged two for 25.

For Sri Lanka, Janith Liyanage was the top-scorer with 40 from 31 balls (two fours and a six), while Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga scored 18 runs apiece. For the fifth wicket, Liyanage and Asalanka added 34 runs, while the sixth-wicket partnership between Liyanage and Hasaranga yielded 38 runs.

Sahibzada Farhan led Pakistan’s run-chase, demonstrating the form that helped him score 771 runs in 2025. The 29-year-old scored 51 – his eighth half-century in 35 matches – from 36 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Together with Saim Ayub (24), Farhan put on 59 runs for the first wicket, while his association with Salman Ali Agha for the second wicket produced 35 runs. Salman scored 16 and Shadab added 18 not out as Pakistan romped to victory with 20 balls and six wickets to spare.

The remaining two T20Is of the series will be played on Friday and Sunday. Pakistan is in Sri Lanka to finalize its preparation and combinations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, held in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March.

Pakistan will play all its matches in Colombo, facing the Netherlands on 6 February, followed by matches against USA (10 February), India (15 February), and Namibia (18 February). The Super Eight stage will be held from 21 February to 1 March, with the semifinals scheduled for 4 and 5 March. The final will be played on March 8 and will be held in Colombo if Pakistan is one of the contestants.

Scores in brief:

Match 1 – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets

Sri Lanka 128 all-out, 19.2 overs (Janith Liyanage 40, Charith Asalanka 18, Wanindu Hasaranga 18; Salman Mirza 3-18, Abrar Ahmed 3-25, Mohammad Wasim 2-7, Shadab Khan 2-25)

Pakistan 129-4, 16.4 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 51, Saim Ayub 24, Shadab Khan 18 not out, Salman Ali Agha 16)