By Tanzeel Ul Rehman | October 12, 2026
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 82 runs in the 2nd T20I in Rawalpindi on October 11 to win the three match series 2 to 0 with a game to spare. Maaz Sadaqat hit 96 off 51 balls and captain Sahibzada Farhan made 73 as Pakistan posted 215 for 3, their second highest T20I total. Sri Lanka were held to 133 for 7, with Mohammad Imran taking 3 for 11 in only his second T20I.
In front of a record Rawalpindi crowd of 17,535, Pakistan were better in every part of the game. This report explains how they built 215, why two dropped catches cost Sri Lanka more than the final margin, how Imran choked the chase, and what the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I result means before the final match and the ODI tri series with England.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I Result at a Glance
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 215/3 (20 overs) | 133/7 (20 overs) |
| Top scorers | Maaz Sadaqat 96 (51), Sahibzada Farhan 73 (44), Fakhar Zaman 22 (17), Hasan Nawaz 19* (9) | Maheesh Theekshana 32* (26), Chamindu Wickramasinghe 29 (24), Sineth Jayawardene 22 |
| Best bowling | Mohammad Imran 3/11 (4 overs), Salman Mirza 2/28 (3 overs) | Eshan Malinga 1/41 |
| Result | Pakistan won by 82 runs |
Toss: Sri Lanka won and chose to bowl. Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Player of the Match: Maaz Sadaqat. Series: Pakistan lead 2 to 0 and have won the series, with the 3rd T20I on October 13.
For the full scorecard, see ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka in Pakistan series page. The sections below cover what a scorecard cannot show.
How Did Pakistan Score 215 Against Sri Lanka?
Pakistan’s 215 for 3 came from one big partnership and a strong finish, helped along by some poor Sri Lankan fielding.
The platform. Fakhar Zaman made 22 off 17 before falling, and Pakistan were steady rather than explosive early on. That changed once Farhan and Sadaqat came together. The pair added 88 for the second wicket, with both batters hitting sixes freely. Sri Lanka’s catching in the powerplay and middle overs let the scoring rate climb when it should have been slowed.
The captain’s second fifty. Farhan made 73 off 44 balls, with 5 sixes and 4 fours, before he was caught in the deep in the 15th over. After his 89 in the first match, that is 162 runs in his first two games as captain.
Sadaqat’s acceleration. With Farhan gone, Sadaqat took over. Maheesh Theekshana, usually Sri Lanka’s most reliable bowler, went for 22 runs in a single over. Pakistan passed 200 in the 19th over, and Hasan Nawaz’s quick 19 not out off 9 balls added the final push.
The only blemish. Sadaqat was caught at deep cover off the last ball of the innings, four short of his first T20I hundred.
How big is 215? It is Pakistan’s second highest T20I total. Only their 232 for 6 against England in 2021 is higher. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis said after the game that it was a batting pitch and his side needed at least 200. Pakistan scored 15 more than that, which on this ground is roughly the difference between a contest and a one sided game.
Why Was Maaz Sadaqat’s 96 the Innings of the Series?
Maaz Sadaqat was named Player of the Match for his 96 off 51 balls, with 6 fours and 7 sixes. It was the best innings of the series so far, and it came from a batter who is still early in his international career.
He is in the form of his life. Sadaqat arrived in Rawalpindi after scoring back to back hundreds in the Caribbean Premier League. He followed that with 50 off 29 in the first T20I and now 96. Across the two matches he has 146 runs off 80 balls, a strike rate of about 182.
He scores with power and choice. Seven sixes in 51 balls is elite hitting. But the more telling part is what he said after the game: he plays with positive intent and picks the balls he wants to hit for boundaries. That is the mindset Pakistan have wanted from their number three for years.
Why the missed hundred does not matter much. Getting out on 96 off the final ball was not a mistake. He was trying to hit the last delivery for six, which is the right call in a T20. A batter who bats for the team’s total rather than his own milestone is exactly what a modern T20 side needs.
What it means going forward: Sadaqat is a left hander and Farhan bats right handed. That combination forces bowlers to keep changing their lines and makes field placing harder. If he keeps scoring like this, he becomes one of the first names on Pakistan’s T20 team sheet. You can see how he got here in our coverage of the Caribbean Premier League 2026.
How Much Did Sri Lanka’s Dropped Catches Cost?
This is the question most match reports mention in passing. We think it decided the margin.
| Batter | Dropped on | Final score | Extra runs after the drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | 11 (also dropped a second time) | 73 | 62 |
| Maaz Sadaqat | 44 | 96 | 52 |
| Total | 114 |
The numbers are brutal. Sri Lanka’s dropped catches gave Pakistan’s two best batters 114 extra runs. Pakistan won by 82. Even if you assume the next batters would have scored some of those runs anyway, the drops turned a game Sri Lanka could have competed in into a heavy defeat.
Who dropped them? Farhan was put down by Sineth Jayawardene on 11 and by Maheesh Theekshana at midwicket. Sadaqat was dropped on 44 by Nuwan Thushara.
Why the timing mattered. Both chances came when Pakistan were still building. A wicket at that stage brings a new batter in on a pitch where you need to start fast. Instead, two set batters kept going and Pakistan raced to 215.
What Sri Lanka should take from it: Kusal Mendis said his batters need to take responsibility, including himself. That is true, but the fielding is just as urgent. Sri Lanka have now lost three away T20 series in a row, 2 to 1 in the West Indies, 3 to 0 in England and now this one. Poor catching has been a common thread.
Our original angle: An early drop is usually more expensive than a late one, because it gives the batter the whole innings to cash in. Farhan’s reprieve on 11 was the most expensive moment of the match, and it shows why Sri Lanka’s fielding drills matter as much as their batting plans.
Mohammad Imran 3 for 11: How Did Sri Lanka’s Chase Collapse?
Sri Lanka needed 216, a rate of nearly 11 an over. They were never close, and two Pakistan bowlers made sure of it.
Salman Mirza struck first. Mirza was the only change to Pakistan’s XI from the first match. He had Lahiru Udara, the 91 run hero of the first game, caught behind in the first over. With their best batter gone, Sri Lanka had to rebuild from ball one. Mirza finished with 2 for 28 from three overs.
Then Imran took over. Mohammad Imran bowled four overs in a row and gave away just 11 runs. He removed Sineth Jayawardene for 22, Kusal Mendis for 9 and Sahan Arachchige for a duck. Sri Lanka were 49 for 4 in the eighth over, needing more than 13 an over with six wickets left.
Imran’s first two matches tell a story. On debut he took 2 for 21. In his second game he took 3 for 11. That is 5 wickets for 32 runs in eight overs, an economy of four an over in a series where Pakistan’s batters scored at nearly ten. Few bowlers start an international career like that.
The spinners finished the job. Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan took a wicket each and each gave away 19 runs from three overs. The lower order, led by Theekshana’s 32 not out and Chamindu Wickramasinghe’s 29, only made the margin smaller.
What it means for Pakistan: Shaheen Afridi was left out for this series. Pakistan have now won twice without him, with Imran and Mirza making strong cases. This gives the selectors real depth for the first time in a while.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: How Did the 2nd T20I Compare With the 1st?
Looking at both matches side by side shows how far Pakistan moved ahead in just two days.
| 1st T20I | 2nd T20I | |
|---|---|---|
| Toss | Sri Lanka won, batted | Sri Lanka won, bowled |
| Sri Lanka score | 182/8 | 133/7 |
| Pakistan score | 187/6 (18.5 overs) | 215/3 |
| Margin | Pakistan by 4 wickets | Pakistan by 82 runs |
| Pakistan’s top scorer | Sahibzada Farhan 89 | Maaz Sadaqat 96 |
| Sri Lanka’s top scorer | Lahiru Udara 91 | Maheesh Theekshana 32* |
| Mohammad Imran | 2/21 on debut | 3/11 |
Three things stand out.
The toss did not decide the series. Sri Lanka batted first in the first game and bowled first in the second. They lost both. The problem was quality, not the coin.
Sri Lanka depend on one batter. When Udara scored 91, they made 182. When he fell in the first over, nobody reached 40 and the top score came from Theekshana, a bowler batting in the lower order.
Pakistan’s top three are carrying the team. Farhan and Sadaqat have scored 308 runs between them in two matches. That is excellent, but it also means the middle order has barely been tested, a point we raised after the late wobble in the first game. Read our Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I result report for that breakdown.
Records and Lesser Known Facts From the 2nd T20I
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pakistan’s second highest T20I total | 215/3, behind only 232/6 against England in 2021 |
| Record Rawalpindi crowd | 17,535 fans at the ground |
| Farhan’s first series as captain | Won 2 to 0 with a match to spare |
| Imran’s start | 5 wickets for 32 runs in his first two T20Is |
| Sadaqat’s near miss | Out for 96 off the final ball, four short of a first T20I hundred |
| Sri Lanka’s away run | Third straight away T20 series defeat |
The crowd figure deserves more attention than it has received. A full house in Rawalpindi for a bilateral T20 against Sri Lanka shows how much home international cricket now means to Pakistani fans. For the latest T20I rankings and records, see the ICC website.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I: Player Ratings
| Player | Team | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maaz Sadaqat | Pakistan | 9.5 | 96 off 51 and Player of the Match |
| Mohammad Imran | Pakistan | 9 | 3 for 11 in four overs |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | 8.5 | 73 off 44 and a series win as captain |
| Salman Mirza | Pakistan | 8 | Udara in the first over, 2 for 28 |
| Hasan Nawaz | Pakistan | 7 | 19 off 9 to push past 200 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Sri Lanka | 5.5 | Best batter at 32 not out, but a costly over and a drop |
| Chamindu Wickramasinghe | Sri Lanka | 5.5 | 29 off 24 when the game was gone |
| Eshan Malinga | Sri Lanka | 5 | 1 for 41 |
| Kusal Mendis | Sri Lanka | 3.5 | 9 runs and an honest press conference |
| Lahiru Udara | Sri Lanka | 3 | Out in the first over after his 91 |
What Does the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I Result Mean for the Series and Beyond?
For Pakistan, the reset is working. A new captain, a new number three and two new seamers have all delivered. Pakistan have won a series without Shaheen Afridi and without Salman Ali Agha as captain, which few would have expected a month ago.
For Sri Lanka, the problems are deeper than one bad night. Without Wanindu Hasaranga, their spin attack lacks a wicket taker. Their batting falls apart when Udara fails. Their fielding has let them down in both matches. Kusal Mendis was honest about it, which is a start.
Our prediction for the 3rd T20I (October 13, Rawalpindi): Pakistan will likely rest a few players and try their bench. That gives Sri Lanka their best chance of a win in this series. We rate it close to 55 to 45 in Pakistan’s favour, lower than the first two games because of the expected changes.
What comes next: England join both teams for an ODI tri series, starting the following Sunday. The format changes, but Pakistan’s confidence will carry over. Our Pakistan ODI Tri Series 2026 schedule and squads guide has every fixture, and the full tour is in our Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan 2026 schedule.
What Can Fans and Fantasy Players Take From the 2nd T20I?
Back the in form top order. Farhan and Sadaqat have scored 308 runs in two games. In fantasy teams, both are strong captain choices for the final T20I if they play.
Pick Imran as a bowling option. Five wickets in two matches and an economy of four an over make him the safest Pakistan bowling pick.
Be careful with Sri Lanka’s batters. Udara is the only top order batter who has scored big. If you need a Sri Lankan pick, Theekshana offers both overs and lower order runs.
Watch for changes. With the series won, Pakistan may give chances to players who have not featured. Check the team news before locking your fantasy side.
For a look back at Sri Lanka’s recent tournament run, read our Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Asian Games bronze medal match preview.
Who Was Player of the Match in the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I?
Maaz Sadaqat was named Player of the Match for his 96 off 51 balls, including 7 sixes. He shared an 88 run stand with captain Sahibzada Farhan and carried Pakistan past 200 in the final overs. Mohammad Imran, with 3 for 11, was the strongest bowling candidate.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I FAQs
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Who won the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I?
Pakistan won by 82 runs in Rawalpindi on October 11, 2026. The win gave them an unbeatable 2 to 0 lead in the three match T20I series, so they have won the series with a match to spare.
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What was the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I score?
Pakistan scored 215 for 3 in 20 overs after being sent in to bat. Sri Lanka replied with 133 for 7 in their 20 overs. They were 49 for 4 in the eighth over and never recovered.
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Who scored the most runs in the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I?
Maaz Sadaqat made 96 off 51 balls with 7 sixes, four short of his first T20I hundred. Captain Sahibzada Farhan added 73 off 44 balls.
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Who took the most wickets in the 2nd T20I?
Mohammad Imran took 3 for 11 in four overs, in only his second T20I. Salman Mirza took 2 for 28, while Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan took one wicket each.
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Is 215 Pakistan’s highest T20I score?
No. It is Pakistan’s second highest T20I total. Their highest is 232 for 6 against England in 2021. This was also the highest total of the series so far.
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How many people watched the 2nd T20I in Rawalpindi?
A record crowd of 17,535 fans attended the match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
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When is the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I?
The 3rd T20I is on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan have already won the series, so expect them to try some bench players.
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What comes after the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I series?
Pakistan and Sri Lanka play an ODI tri series with England, starting the following Sunday. It is the next big test for Pakistan’s new look squad before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The Final Word From Rawalpindi
The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I was the most complete performance by this new Pakistan side. The batting was led by two players in rare form, the bowling was led by a debutant who already looks at home, and the crowd made Rawalpindi feel like a fortress.
Sri Lanka helped Pakistan with their fielding, but they were also simply second best. With Udara gone early and no Hasaranga with the ball, they had no answer. For Pakistan, the real tests will come against stronger teams. For now, Sahibzada Farhan has the best possible start to his captaincy: two wins, a series and 162 runs of his own. For another view of the match, read the Arab News match report.
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