Sahibzada Farhan became Pakistan’s first batter to hit 100 sixes in a calendar year in T20s and overall the 12th during the tri-nation T20I series match against Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe is the third country to achieve this milestone.
In his side’s seven-wicket win on Saturday, Farhan played an unbeaten, explosive knock of 80 runs off 45 balls, including six fours and five sixes, with a strike rate of 177.77.
This brings his total to 102 sixes this year in the shortest format. Only Karanbir Singh of Australia (122) and West Indies batting star Nicholas Pooran (103) have hit more sixes than him.
Farhan has also levelled with both Karanbir and Pooran for the most fifty-plus scores in T20s this year, with all three batters having 15 each. Sahibzada has scored
four centuries and 11 fifties, compared to Karanbir’s two centuries and 13 fifties, and Pooran’s one century and 14 fifties.
Farhan’s 80* runs is the highest individual score for Pakistan against Sri Lanka, surpassing the previous highest score of 57 runs by Shoaib Malik during the ICC T20 World Cup 2007.
How Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka?
In the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Janith Liyanage (41* off 38 balls, with three fours and a six) and Kusal Perera (25 off 19 balls, with two fours and a six) were the top scorers as Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals and posted 128/7 in their 20 overs. Mohammad Nawaz (3/16) was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, while Salman Mirza, Faheem Ashraf, and Abrar Ahmed claimed one wicket each.
In the run chase, Farhan’s power-packed 80* single-handedly led Pakistan to a seven-wicket win with 27 balls remaining. Pakistan is at the top of the table in the series with two wins in two matches, while Sri Lanka sits at the bottom after losing both matches. Zimbabwe is in second place with one win and one loss.
Nawaz won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his impressive bowling performance.
(With inputs from Agencies)
