Rawalpindi, Nov 22 (NationPress) Sahibzada Farhan delivered a stellar performance with an undefeated half-century, while the bowling unit, spearheaded by Mohammad Nawaz, ensured Pakistan triumphed over Sri Lanka by seven wickets, marking their second straight victory in the Tri-nation T20I series this Saturday.

Farhan's explosive inning of 80 runs off 45 balls facilitated Pakistan's chase of 129 runs in just 15.3 overs, elevating them to the top of the series standings after their bowlers confined Sri Lanka to 128/7 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Next, Pakistan is set to clash with Zimbabwe at the same venue on Sunday in the fourth match of the series, which is crucial for securing a spot in the tournament's final.

In their pursuit of the target, openers Farhan and Saim Ayub (20 runs off 18 balls, with four fours) initiated a rapid start, accumulating 47 runs for the first wicket in five overs before Ayub was stumped by Kusal Mendis off captain Dasun Shanaka. During this game, Saim became the ninth Pakistani player to surpass 1,000 T20I runs.

Farhan then formed a significant partnership of 69 runs for the second wicket with former captain Babar Azam (16 runs off 22 balls, one six), contributing 53 runs to the partnership and achieving his sixth T20I half-century off just 33 balls.

Despite Dushmantha Chameera taking two wickets in consecutive deliveries, Sahibzada Farhan maintained his momentum and sealed the victory with a boundary in the 16th over. The right-handed opener hit six fours and five sixes, becoming the first Pakistani player to smash over 100 sixes in T20Is within a single year.

Earlier, Sri Lanka began aggressively with Kamil Mishara hitting two fours and two sixes before falling in the fourth over with 32 runs on the board. Their progress faced a setback when Mohammad Wasim Jnr executed a brilliant throw from the outfield to run out Kusal Mendis.

Sri Lanka found themselves at 65/3 at the halfway stage, and their situation worsened as they dropped to 78/5 in the 12th over, when player of the match Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Kusal Perera (25 runs off 19 balls, two fours, one six) and Dasun Shanaka on consecutive deliveries. Nawaz claimed another wicket, taking down Kamindu Mendis in the 14th over as Sri Lanka fell to 86/6.

Janith Liyanage, who was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with 41 runs off 38 balls (three fours and one six), then built a 35-run partnership off 31 balls with Wanindu Hasaranga (11 runs off 12 balls, one four), leading Sri Lanka to a total of 128-7 in their 20 overs.

While Nawaz excelled with figures of 3-16 in four overs, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed each picked up a wicket.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 128/7 in 20 overs (Janith Liyanage 41 not out, Kusal Perera 25, Kamil Mishara 22; Mohammad Nawaz 3-16) lost to Pakistan 131/3 in 15.3 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 80 not out, Saim Ayub 20; Dushmantha Chameera 2-29) by seven wickets.