RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, October 11, 2026: Sri Lanka dropped four catches, and Pakistan made them pay for every missed opportunity. Maaz Sadaqat hammered a breathtaking 96 from 51 deliveries, captain Sahibzada Farhan added 73 from 44, and Muhammad Imran Randhawa claimed three wickets for just 11 runs as Pakistan crushed Sri Lanka by 82 runs in the second T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday evening, sealing the three-match series 2-0 with a game remaining.
Sri Lanka had elected to field and created opportunities to dismiss both of Pakistan’s principal batters, only to spill two chances each off Farhan and Maaz. The reprieves proved costly as Pakistan amassed 215 for 3, including 13 sixes. The visitors then crumbled to 74 for 6 inside 12 overs, with Imran’s outstanding spell extinguishing any realistic hope of a comeback. Sri Lanka eventually finished on 133 for 7, completing a miserable evening in which their fielding failures were followed by an equally disappointing batting performance.
The victory gave Pakistan a convincing series triumph under Farhan, who was appointed captain for the home assignment following a substantial overhaul of Pakistan’s T20I squad.
More encouragingly for the hosts, the commanding result reflected contributions from several players central to Pakistan’s emerging T20 plans.
Farhan supplied the leadership and attacking platform. Maaz provided the acceleration. Imran ensured Sri Lanka never developed a serious response.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, had plenty to reconsider after surrendering the series in consecutive matches.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I 2026: Match Summary
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I |
| Date | Sunday, October 11, 2026 |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan |
| Toss | Sri Lanka won and elected to field |
| Pakistan | 215/3 in 20 overs |
| Sri Lanka | 133/7 in 20 overs |
| Result | Pakistan won by 82 runs |
| Series position | Pakistan lead 2-0 and have won the series |
| Pakistan’s top scorer | Maaz Sadaqat, 96 (51) |
| Sri Lanka’s top scorer | Maheesh Theekshana, 32* (26) |
| Best bowling | Muhammad Imran Randhawa, 3/11 |
| Player of the Match | Maaz Sadaqat |
| Next match | Third T20I, October 13, Rawalpindi |
Four Dropped Catches Turned Sri Lanka’s Bowling Plans Into a Nightmare
Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first was understandable. The visitors were attempting to restrict Pakistan to a manageable total before chasing under the Rawalpindi floodlights.
Their bowlers, however, received little assistance from their fielders.
Four dropped catches, reportedly two each from Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat, allowed Pakistan’s most dangerous batters to remain at the crease.
That was especially damaging because both players were in an attacking mood and capable of scoring boundaries without needing to take excessive risks.
In T20 cricket, a dropped chance against an established batter can be expensive. Repeatedly reprieving two aggressive players substantially increases the danger.
Sri Lanka discovered that the hard way.
Farhan and Maaz combined to contribute 169 runs from 95 balls, accounting for almost 79% of Pakistan’s final total.
They also struck 12 sixes between them.
The missed catches compounded Sri Lanka’s inability to build pressure through dot balls and wickets.
Although their bowlers occasionally found effective deliveries, the visitors never sustained control long enough to contain Pakistan’s scoring.
The defeat should therefore prompt serious questions about Sri Lanka’s fielding discipline, positioning and concentration.
Pakistan deserve credit for capitalizing on the chances offered. Sri Lanka must accept responsibility for providing so many.
Sahibzada Farhan’s 73 Sets the Tone for Pakistan’s Series-Clinching Victory
Sahibzada Farhan continued his impressive start as Pakistan’s T20I captain with another forceful innings.
Having scored a match-winning 89 in Friday’s opening encounter, Farhan followed it with 73 from 44 deliveries in the second T20I.
His innings included four fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 165.91.
Farhan reached his half-century from 31 balls, establishing a strong scoring tempo during the first half of Pakistan’s innings.
Fakhar Zaman contributed 22 from 17 balls, including four boundaries, as the openers added 55 runs.
Fakhar was dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana in the seventh over, but Farhan maintained Pakistan’s momentum.
He found an equally aggressive partner in Maaz, and the pair added 88 runs for the second wicket from 49 deliveries.
Their partnership ensured Sri Lanka could not capitalize on Fakhar’s dismissal.
When Farhan finally fell to Dasun Shanaka for 73 in the 15th over, Pakistan had reached 143 for 2.
The platform was already established for a powerful finish.
Farhan’s performance also strengthened the case for Pakistan’s recent leadership change. His captaincy has coincided with consecutive substantial batting contributions, providing the team with the kind of reliable top-order aggression it has frequently lacked.
Across the opening two matches, Farhan has scored 162 runs from 97 deliveries, averaging 81 with a combined strike rate of approximately 167.
His batting has given Pakistan’s middle order the freedom to play attacking cricket without constantly having to repair early damage.
Maaz Sadaqat’s 96 From 51 Balls Leaves Sri Lanka Helpless
Maaz Sadaqat produced the defining innings of the evening.
The 21-year-old left-hander smashed 96 from 51 deliveries, striking six fours and seven sixes at an outstanding strike rate of 188.24.
He reached his half-century from just 30 balls and continued attacking as Pakistan approached the final five overs.
Sri Lanka struggled to find a convincing response to his range of scoring options.
Maaz was particularly effective at converting scoring opportunities into sixes, repeatedly denying the bowlers a chance to settle into defensive lines.
His aggressive approach meant Pakistan remained ahead of the expected scoring rate even when wickets interrupted the innings.
The youngster eventually fell on the final delivery of the innings, caught by Dasun Shanaka off Eshan Malinga, just four runs short of what would have been a maiden T20I century.
The dismissal did little to diminish the quality of the performance.
Maaz had already taken Pakistan to 215 and placed Sri Lanka under enormous pressure.
Maaz Sadaqat’s 96 Adds Another Chapter to His Remarkable Rise
The innings was further evidence that Maaz’s outstanding franchise cricket form is translating to the international stage.
The Sports Encounter previously examined Maaz Sadaqat’s rapid progression through domestic cricket, the Pakistan Super League and the Caribbean Premier League.
His development has been particularly striking during 2026.
In September, he scored an extraordinary 112 from 49 balls for Jamaica Kingsmen against Barbados Tridents in the CPL Eliminator.
He followed that performance with 41 from 17 deliveries against Guyana Amazon Warriors, helping Jamaica reach the final.
Maaz then produced another stunning innings of 114 from 58 balls in the CPL final, although his team finished runners-up.
His return to Pakistan’s national setup has maintained that upward trajectory.
After scoring a 29-ball half-century in Friday’s opening T20I, Maaz nearly doubled that contribution on Sunday.
He has now scored 146 runs from 80 deliveries in his first two matches of the series, striking at 182.50.
Those numbers are encouraging because they demonstrate more than the ability to play one spectacular innings.
Maaz has delivered consecutive high-impact performances against an international bowling attack, suggesting that Pakistan may finally be finding a consistent role for one of its most exciting young batters.
Hasan Nawaz Helps Pakistan Finish Strongly After Farhan’s Dismissal
Hasan Nawaz played a valuable supporting role during Pakistan’s final assault.
He remained unbeaten on 19 from nine deliveries, striking one four and one six at a strike rate of 211.11.
Following Farhan’s dismissal at 143 for 2, Hasan joined Maaz in adding 72 runs for the third wicket.
The partnership ensured Pakistan did not lose momentum at a stage when Sri Lanka might have hoped to regain control.
Maaz supplied the majority of the scoring, but Hasan’s willingness to attack prevented the opposition from concentrating exclusively on one batter.
Pakistan scored 72 runs from the final 5.1 overs, losing only Maaz on the last delivery.
That acceleration was decisive in pushing the total beyond 200 and making Sri Lanka’s chase significantly more demanding.
Muhammad Imran Randhawa’s 3 for 11 Destroys Sri Lanka’s Middle Order
If Maaz Sadaqat made Pakistan’s total intimidating, Muhammad Imran Randhawa ensured Sri Lanka never had a realistic opportunity to chase it.
The young all-rounder produced exceptional figures of 3 for 11 from four overs, maintaining an economy rate of just 2.75.
His victims included Sineth Jayawardene, Kusal Mendis and Sahan Arachchige.
The most damaging phase came during the eighth over.
Sri Lanka had already lost Lahiru Udara and Jayawardene, but Kusal Mendis remained at the crease with an opportunity to rebuild.
Imran removed Mendis for nine and then dismissed Arachchige for a duck just one delivery later.
Sri Lanka slipped from 48 for 2 to 49 for 4 in the space of two balls.
The contest was effectively slipping away.
Imran’s contribution was especially impressive because Sri Lanka were chasing a target of 216 and needed to score at 10.80 runs per over.
Instead of allowing the visitors to attack, he denied them both runs and wickets.
His disciplined bowling made attacking him an unattractive option while Sri Lanka’s mounting required rate placed additional pressure on the batters facing Pakistan’s other bowlers.
Why Imran Randhawa’s Spell Matters for Pakistan’s Future
Pakistan’s new-look T20I squad contains several players still establishing themselves at the senior international level.
Imran is among them.
He had taken two wickets for 21 runs on his T20I debut in the opening match.
Sunday’s 3 for 11 means he has collected five wickets while conceding just 32 runs across eight overs in the series.
That represents an economy rate of 4.00, remarkably economical in a format where aggressive batting frequently drives totals beyond 180.
The early evidence suggests that Pakistan may have discovered a bowler capable of controlling important middle-over passages while providing wicket-taking opportunities.
The sample remains small, but Imran’s performances have offered an encouraging answer to questions about Pakistan’s bowling depth.
His emergence also supports the broader discussion explored in The Sports Encounter’s analysis of Pakistan’s emerging T20 talent and international selection opportunities.
Salman Mirza Delivers Early and Late Breakthroughs
Mohammad Salman Mirza played an important role in ensuring Sri Lanka’s chase began badly.
He dismissed Lahiru Udara for five in the opening over, removing the batter who had almost single-handedly carried Sri Lanka’s innings in the first T20I.
Udara’s 91 from 55 balls on Friday had demonstrated his ability to punish Pakistan’s attack when allowed to settle.
This time, Salman prevented another similar innings.
The early dismissal left Sri Lanka 6 for 1 and immediately increased the pressure on the incoming batters.
Salman later removed Chamindu Wickramasinghe for 29 in the 19th over, finishing with 2 for 28 from three overs.
Although he conceded runs at a higher rate than Imran, his wickets came at valuable moments.
The early dismissal of Udara was especially significant because Sri Lanka needed a substantial contribution from their top order to have any hope of chasing 216.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Collapse Exposes the Cost of Their Missed Chances
Sri Lanka’s batting performance offered little resistance to Pakistan’s total.
The visitors lost Udara in the first over and reached only 35 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay.
At that point, the required scoring rate had already increased considerably.
Their difficulties intensified when Imran dismissed Mendis and Arachchige in consecutive deliveries.
Sri Lanka fell to 49 for 4 in the eighth over.
Dasun Shanaka briefly attempted to counterattack but managed only nine from eight deliveries before falling to Saim Ayub.
Kamindu Mendis scored 23 from 19 balls, including two fours and a six, but could not anchor a meaningful recovery.
He was dismissed by Shadab Khan, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 74 for 6 in the 12th over.
With six wickets lost and more than 140 runs still required, the chase had effectively become an exercise in limiting the defeat.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe contributed 29 from 24 balls.
Maheesh Theekshana finished as Sri Lanka’s leading scorer with an unbeaten 32 from 26 deliveries.
Their late partnership helped Sri Lanka complete the innings without being bowled out, but the visitors never approached Pakistan’s total.
Sri Lanka finished on 133 for 7, scoring at 6.65 runs per over when the chase required 10.80.
The gulf between those figures tells much of the story.
Why Sri Lanka’s Bowling Attack Struggled Against Pakistan’s Power Hitting
Sri Lanka’s bowling figures underline the scale of their problems.
Maheesh Theekshana conceded 55 runs from four overs despite dismissing Fakhar Zaman.
Eshan Malinga finished with 1 for 41, while Binura Fernando conceded 42 without taking a wicket.
Dasun Shanaka claimed Farhan’s wicket and returned 1 for 30 from three overs.
Nuwan Thushara was Sri Lanka’s most economical specialist bowler, conceding 32 from four overs without taking a wicket.
Pakistan scored at 10.75 runs per over across the full innings, and their 13 sixes demonstrated how consistently the home batters cleared the boundary.
Sri Lanka’s dropped catches made the situation worse.
They allowed established batters to continue attacking at stages when wickets could have interrupted Pakistan’s rhythm.
However, poor fielding alone does not explain the entire performance.
The visitors also struggled to control scoring during the middle and final overs.
Theekshana was particularly expensive, conceding almost 14 runs per over.
The bowling unit failed to combine wicket-taking pressure with consistent economy, and Pakistan exploited those shortcomings efficiently.
Three Turning Points That Decided the Second T20I
1. Sri Lanka Drop Farhan and Maaz Twice Each
Sri Lanka’s fielding failures provided Pakistan’s two most important batters with additional opportunities.
The dropped catches prevented the visitors from building pressure through wickets and allowed Pakistan’s attacking partnerships to develop.
The cost was magnified by the aggressive form of Farhan and Maaz.
Their combined 169 runs effectively determined the direction of Pakistan’s innings.
2. Maaz and Hasan Add 72 After Farhan Falls
Farhan’s dismissal at 143 for 2 in the 15th over presented Sri Lanka with an opening.
If the visitors had removed Maaz quickly, Pakistan might have finished with a substantially smaller total.
Instead, Maaz accelerated and Hasan provided attacking support.
The pair added 72 runs, taking Pakistan beyond 200 and establishing a target of 216.
That late acceleration effectively placed Sri Lanka under immediate pressure before their chase began.
3. Imran’s Double Strike Leaves Sri Lanka 49 for 4
Imran’s dismissal of Kusal Mendis and Sahan Arachchige from consecutive deliveries in the eighth over destroyed Sri Lanka’s remaining chance of constructing a competitive chase.
The visitors had already lost two wickets in the Powerplay.
The two additional wickets left Sri Lanka 49 for 4, needing 167 more runs from 74 balls.
At that stage, the required rate had climbed beyond 13 runs per over while much of the recognized batting lineup had already departed.
Pakistan maintained control for the remainder of the match.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: Why the Hosts Won So Comfortably
The contrast between the two sides was evident across batting, bowling and fielding.
| Performance area | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplay batting | 55/0 | 35/2 |
| Middle-overs batting, 7–15 | 99/2 | 63/4 |
| Final five overs | 65 runs | 35 runs |
| Total | 215/3 | 133/7 |
| Run rate | 10.75 | 6.65 |
| Sixes | 13 | 3 |
| Top scorer | Maaz Sadaqat, 96 | Maheesh Theekshana, 32* |
| Best bowler | Imran Randhawa, 3/11 | Shanaka, 1/30 |
| Fielding impact | Took key catches | Four reported dropped catches |
| Match outcome | Won by 82 runs | Lost by 82 runs |
Pakistan’s most encouraging achievement was their ability to maintain attacking intensity throughout the innings.
Farhan ensured a strong start, Maaz dominated the middle and late overs, and Hasan supplied the finishing support.
The bowling attack then complemented that batting performance with disciplined wicket-taking.
Sri Lanka struggled to match Pakistan in any department.
Their fielders dropped important chances, their bowlers conceded too many boundaries, and their batters failed to construct the partnerships needed for a substantial chase.
The final margin of 82 runs accurately reflected Pakistan’s superiority on the evening.
Maaz Sadaqat Wins Player of the Match as Pakistan Seal the Series
Maaz Sadaqat was named Player of the Match for his outstanding 96 from 51 balls.
His innings included seven sixes and six fours, helping Pakistan establish a total beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.
Muhammad Imran Randhawa’s 3 for 11 was another exceptional performance, while Farhan’s 73 underlined his strong start as captain.
The victory secured Pakistan’s second consecutive win of the series.
Pakistan had beaten Sri Lanka by four wickets in Friday’s opening T20I after chasing 183, with Farhan scoring 89 and Maaz contributing 50.
Sunday’s victory was considerably more emphatic.
Pakistan dominated with the bat, restricted Sri Lanka’s chase and finished with an 82-run advantage.
For Farhan, winning the series in his first home bilateral assignment as T20I captain represents a significant early success.
For the younger players, especially Maaz and Imran, the series has supplied immediate evidence that they can contribute meaningfully at the international level.
Sri Lanka, by contrast, must now attempt to avoid a clean sweep.
The third and final T20I will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, October 13.
Pakistan will enter that contest with the series already secured and the opportunity to complete a 3-0 whitewash.
Sri Lanka will be playing to salvage pride, restore confidence and demonstrate that the mistakes made on Sunday do not define their wider capabilities.
For Pakistan, the most encouraging development is the emergence of an increasingly confident team in which established players and younger talents are contributing together.
Maaz’s power hitting, Farhan’s leadership and Imran’s disciplined bowling offered compelling evidence of what this combination can achieve.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I: Complete Scorecard
Pakistan Innings: 215/3 in 20 Overs
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan (c) | c Theekshana b Shanaka | 73 | 44 | 4 | 5 | 165.91 |
| Fakhar Zaman | c Kamindu Mendis b Theekshana | 22 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 129.41 |
| Maaz Sadaqat | c Shanaka b Malinga | 96 | 51 | 6 | 7 | 188.24 |
| Hasan Nawaz | Not out | 19 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 211.11 |
| Saim Ayub | Did not bat | |||||
| Shadab Khan | Did not bat | |||||
| Khawaja Nafay (wk) | Did not bat | |||||
| Muhammad Imran Randhawa | Did not bat | |||||
| Naseem Shah | Did not bat | |||||
| Mohammad Salman Mirza | Did not bat | |||||
| Abrar Ahmed | Did not bat | |||||
| Extras | 4 wides, 1 no-ball | 5 | ||||
| Total | 20 overs, 3 wickets | 215 |
Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Fakhar Zaman, 6.5), 2-143 (Sahibzada Farhan, 14.5), 3-215 (Maaz Sadaqat, 19.6).
Sri Lanka Bowling
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binura Fernando | 4 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 10.50 |
| Nuwan Thushara | 4 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 8.00 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 0 | 55 | 1 | 13.75 |
| Eshan Malinga | 4 | 0 | 41 | 1 | 10.25 |
| Dasun Shanaka | 3 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 15.00 |
Sri Lanka Innings: 133/7 in 20 Overs
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lahiru Udara | c Nafay b Salman Mirza | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Sineth Jayawardene | c Fakhar b Imran | 22 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 104.76 |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | c Nafay b Imran | 9 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Hasan Nawaz b Shadab | 23 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 121.05 |
| Sahan Arachchige | c Nafay b Imran | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Dasun Shanaka | c Abrar b Saim Ayub | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 112.50 |
| Chamindu Wickramasinghe | c Farhan b Salman Mirza | 29 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 120.83 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Not out | 32 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 123.08 |
| Binura Fernando | Not out | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Eshan Malinga | Did not bat | |||||
| Nuwan Thushara | Did not bat | |||||
| Extras | 1 bye, 1 leg-bye, 2 wides | 4 | ||||
| Total | 20 overs, 7 wickets | 133 |
Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Lahiru Udara, 0.6), 2-35 (Sineth Jayawardene, 5.6), 3-48 (Kusal Mendis, 7.3), 4-49 (Sahan Arachchige, 7.4), 5-64 (Dasun Shanaka, 10.1), 6-74 (Kamindu Mendis, 11.5), 7-124 (Chamindu Wickramasinghe, 18.5).
Pakistan Bowling
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Salman Mirza | 3 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 9.33 |
| Naseem Shah | 4 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 7.00 |
| Muhammad Imran Randhawa | 4 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 2.75 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 3 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 8.67 |
| Saim Ayub | 3 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 6.33 |
| Shadab Khan | 3 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 6.33 |
Result: Pakistan won by 82 runs.
Player of the Match: Maaz Sadaqat, 96 from 51 balls.
Series: Pakistan lead 2-0, with one match remaining.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka second T20I on October 11, 2026?
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 82 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, scoring 215 for 3 before restricting Sri Lanka to 133 for 7.
Has Pakistan won the T20I series against Sri Lanka?
Yes. Pakistan lead 2-0 in the three-match series and have secured the series with one match remaining.
How many runs did Maaz Sadaqat score?
Maaz Sadaqat scored 96 from 51 balls, including six fours and seven sixes. He was named Player of the Match.
How did Sahibzada Farhan perform?
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan scored 73 from 44 deliveries, following his match-winning 89 in the first T20I.
Who was Pakistan’s best bowler?
Muhammad Imran Randhawa took three wickets for just 11 runs from four overs, dismissing Sineth Jayawardene, Kusal Mendis and Sahan Arachchige.
How many catches did Sri Lanka drop?
Sri Lanka reportedly dropped four catches, two involving Farhan and two involving Maaz. The missed chances were a major feature of their fielding performance.
Who scored the most runs for Sri Lanka?
Maheesh Theekshana top-scored with an unbeaten 32 from 26 balls. Chamindu Wickramasinghe contributed 29.
When is the third Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I?
The third T20I is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.