Pakistan Dominates Dambulla: Bowling Masterclass Secures 6-Wicket Win Over Sri Lanka
By Lions Roar News Sports Desk
DAMBULLA, SRI LANKA (January 7, 2026) — Pakistan’s bowling unit flexed its collective muscle in the opening T20I of the series, dismantling Sri Lanka for a meager 128 before chasing down the target with ease. Led by a spectacular return from Shadab Khan and a disciplined performance from the seamers, Pakistan secured a 1-0 lead in the series with 20 balls to spare.
🏏 Match Summary: Clinical Pakistan
On a two-paced Dambulla pitch that had been under covers for days, Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and elected to bowl. The decision paid dividends almost immediately as Sri Lanka struggled to find any rhythm.
- Sri Lanka’s Collapse: The hosts were reeling at 38/4 in the seventh over. A gritty 40 from Janith Liyanage provided some hope, but a late-order collapse saw them lose their final four wickets for just one run.
- The Shadab Factor: Making his international return, Shadab Khan took two wickets in his first over, dismissing Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva in quick succession.
- The Chase: Pakistan’s openers, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub, silenced the home crowd with a blistering 59-run opening stand in just 5.5 overs. Despite a minor mid-innings wobble, Shadab Khan (18*) guided the team home.
📊 Full Scorecards
Sri Lanka Innings
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Kamil Mishara | c Nawaz b Mirza | 8 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Pathum Nissanka | c Farhan b Wasim | 12 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 109.09 |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | lbw b Shadab | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | c wk b Shadab | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Charith Asalanka | c wk b Abrar | 15 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Janith Liyanage | b Wasim | 40 | 32 | 3 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | c Agha b Abrar | 22 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 157.14 |
| Dasun Shanaka (c) | b Mirza | 9 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | b Abrar | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Nuwan Thushara | b Mirza | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mohammad Shiraz | not out | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| TOTAL | (All Out, 19.1 overs) | 128 |
Pakistan Bowling:
- Salman Mirza: 3.1-0-18-3
- Mohammad Wasim: 4-0-28-2
- Shadab Khan: 4-0-25-2
- Abrar Ahmed: 4-0-25-3
- Mohammad Nawaz: 4-0-32-0
Pakistan Innings
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Saim Ayub | b Theekshana | 24 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 160.00 |
| Sahibzada Farhan | c Hasaranga b de Silva | 51 | 35 | 4 | 2 | 145.71 |
| Salman Agha (c) | c Mishara b Hasaranga | 12 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | c & b Shiraz | 8 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Mohammad Rizwan (wk) | not out | 10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Shadab Khan | not out | 18 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 150.00 |
| TOTAL | (4 wickets, 16.4 overs) | 129 |
Sri Lanka Bowling:
- Maheesh Theekshana: 4-0-29-1
- Nuwan Thushara: 3-0-30-0
- Wanindu Hasaranga: 4-0-17-1
- Dhananjaya de Silva: 3.4-0-24-1
- Mohammad Shiraz: 2-0-22-1
🏅 Player of the Match
Shadab Khan (Pakistan)
- Bowling: 2 for 25 (4 overs)
- Batting: 18* off 12 balls
- Key Contribution: Broke the back of the Sri Lankan middle order in his very first over back from injury.
