Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Highlights: PAK beat SL by six wickets in vital T20 World Cup dress rehearsal

By

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20 Highlights, SL vs PAK: Sahibzada Farhan got a half-century as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the first T20I, on Wednesday.

4:43 PM IST, Jan 7DONE AND DUSTED! PAK WIN!

4:34 PM IST, Jan 74-4! Shadab takes on Chameera! PAK need 11 in 32 balls now!

4:28 PM IST, Jan 7OUT! Zaman departs!

4:17 PM IST, Jan 7Fifty for Farhan!

4:14 PM IST, Jan 7Agha departs!

4:11 PM IST, Jan 711 runs conceded!

3:52 PM IST, Jan 7Theekshana strikes! OUT!

3:48 PM IST, Jan 7Farhan-Ayub partnership grows!

3:36 PM IST, Jan 719 runs conceded!

3:28 PM IST, Jan 7SIX! SHOT!

3:25 PM IST, Jan 7PAK - 12/0 (1), Target - 129

3:20 PM IST, Jan 7Action resumes!

3:08 PM IST, Jan 7SL wrapped up in 19.2 overs!

3:01 PM IST, Jan 7Third wicket for Mirza!

3:00 PM IST, Jan 7Mirza removes Shanaka

2:55 PM IST, Jan 7Abrar removes Liyanage!

2:54 PM IST, Jan 7SL - 122/6 (16)

2:46 PM IST, Jan 7Partnership broken! OUT!

2:39 PM IST, Jan 7Back-to-back fours!

2:28 PM IST, Jan 7Asalanka has to leave now! OUT!

2:24 PM IST, Jan 7Asalanka begins comeback

2:14 PM IST, Jan 7SL under pressure

2:08 PM IST, Jan 7Another wicket for Shadab!

2:06 PM IST, Jan 7Shadab gets a wicket in third ball on his return

1:55 PM IST, Jan 7SL - 16/2 (4)

1:52 PM IST, Jan 7OUT! BIG WICKET!

1:42 PM IST, Jan 7OUT! MIRZA REMOVES MISHARA!

1:41 PM IST, Jan 7SL - 12/0 (2)

1:36 PM IST, Jan 7Confident start for SL!

1:30 PM IST, Jan 7The action begins!

1:23 PM IST, Jan 7Playing XIs

1:23 PM IST, Jan 7What did the captains say?

1:08 PM IST, Jan 7PAK win toss!

1:02 PM IST, Jan 7Covers are off

12:50 PM IST, Jan 7Toss upcoming!

12:44 PM IST, Jan 7Litmus test

12:32 PM IST, Jan 7PAK make big calls

12:23 PM IST, Jan 7Shanaka handed SL captaincy

12:12 PM IST, Jan 7Pitch report

12:03 PM IST, Jan 7SL squad

11:45 AM IST, Jan 7PAK squad

11:26 AM IST, Jan 7Hello and welcome everyone!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Highlights, SL vs PAK: It was a dominant display as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the first T20I, on Wednesday. Chasing 129 runs, Pakistan cruised to 129/4 in 16.4 overs as Usman Khan (7*) and Shadab Khan (18*) remained unbeaten. It was the powerplay which was crucial as openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub gave the visitors a strong start. Ayub was eventually dismissed for 24 off 18 balls, smacking three fours and a six. Meanwhile, Farhan got a half-century, hammering 51 off 36 balls, packed with four fours and two sixes. Earlier, Shadab Khan struck twice on his return as Pakistan bowled out Sri Lanka for 128 in 19.2 overs. The hosts lost opener Kamil Mishra early, for a three-ball duck to Salman Mirza. Then Wasim removed Pathum Nissanka for 12 off 12 balls. The departure of the openers put the platform as SL lost quick wickets. Only Janith Liyanage tried to stage a comeback, and built partnerships with Wanindu Hasaranga (18) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (12). But Liyanaga was dismsised by Abrar for 40 off 31 balls. For Pakistan, Mirza and Abrar took three wickets each. Gearing up for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl. The three-match T20I series serves as a litmus test for both sides. The ICC showpiece event is set to begin on February 7, and Pakistan will face the Netherlands in the tournament's opening match. Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan will play their entire group and Super 8 fixtures on the island (that is, if they qualify for the Super 8 stage). The first T20I was held in Dambulla. If Pakistan reach the semi-finals or final at the T20 World Cup, their matches will once again be held in Sri Lanka.

...Read More

Follow key moments from Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score:

Pakistan reach 129/4 in 16.4 overs, win by six wickets

SL - 128 (19.2), Target for PAK - 129

SL Playing XI- Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

PAK Playing XI - Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Pakistan win toss, opt to bowl

Shadab Khan expected to return to action for Pakistan

Sri Lanka face Pakistan in three-match T20I series

Follow all the updates here:

Jan 07, 2026 10:13:21 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: DONE AND DUSTED! PAK WIN!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Usman directs Asalanka to square leg and takes a double as Pakistan win by six wickets!

PAK - 129/4 (16.4), Target - 129

Jan 07, 2026 10:04:57 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: 4-4! Shadab takes on Chameera! PAK need 11 in 32 balls now!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Short of a length delivery by Chameera, outside off. Shadab creams it through backward point for a four! SHOT! Then he pulls him in the next ball for another four!

Jan 07, 2026 9:58:11 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: OUT! Zaman departs!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: OUT! A good delivery by Dhananjaya and Zaman goes for it wildly. He misses it and the wicketkeeper takes off the bails! OUT!

Zaman st Mendis b Dhananjaya 5 (10)

Jan 07, 2026 9:22:41 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Theekshana strikes! OUT!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: A full delivery by Theekshana, and at the stumps. Ayub goes for a big shot, but misses! It hits the middle stump! OUT!

Ayub b Theekshana 24 (18)

Jan 07, 2026 9:18:02 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Farhan-Ayub partnership grows!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: 8 runs from the fifth over as Farhan (33*) and Ayub (20*) build a strong partnership. Pakistan are in a strong position here!

PAK - 55/0 (5), Target - 129

Jan 07, 2026 9:06:56 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: 19 runs conceded!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: A slow delivery by Thushara and Farhan hammers it down the ground for a six! 93m! Then he pulls him over deep backward sqaure for another six! Ends the over with a single, total 19 runs!

PAK - 40/0 (3), Target - 129

Jan 07, 2026 8:58:55 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: SIX! SHOT!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: A full delivery by Theekshana and Ayub is offered a lot of space. He launches it, inside out over extra cover for a six! SHOT!

Jan 07, 2026 8:55:09 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: PAK - 12/0 (1), Target - 129

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Back-to-back fours to end the opening over! Farhan flicks Tushara off the pads to backward of square for a four, and then over the mid-wicket area. 12 runs in the opening over!

PAK - 12/0 (1), Target - 129

Jan 07, 2026 8:50:22 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Action resumes!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: The run-chase begins now! Farhan and Ayub to open for Pakistan. Tushara to open the bowling for Sri Lanka.

Target - 129

Jan 07, 2026 8:38:57 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: SL wrapped up in 19.2 overs!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: ALL OUT! Wasim pitches it up, outside off. Theekshana goes for the drive, but inside edges it and the wicketkeeper catches it! Reviewed and out!

Theekshana c Usman b Wasim 1 (3)

SL - 128 (19.2)

Jan 07, 2026 8:31:52 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Third wicket for Mirza!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: GONE! ANOTHER WICKET!

THIRD FOR WASIM!

He sends it on length, outside off. Chameera hits it straight to the fielder at extra cover for a catch!

Chameera c Shadab b Mirza 0 (3)

Jan 07, 2026 8:30:21 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Mirza removes Shanaka

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: A short delivery by Mirza, outside off. Shanaka ends up holing it to the fielder at deep backward point, out!

Shanaka c Faheem b Mirza 12 (9)

Jan 07, 2026 8:25:49 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Abrar removes Liyanage!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: OUT! FINALLY! PAK GET THE WICKET!

Liyanage takes on Abrar again, goes for a boundary, and sends it to long on. But Nawaz is there, gets a perfect catch and completes it!

Liyanage c Nawaz b Abrar 40 (31)

Jan 07, 2026 8:24:35 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: SL - 122/6 (16)

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: 9 runs from this over as Shanaka also joins the act, smacks Nawaz for a four to wide long off in the fourth delivery.

SL - 122/6 (16)

Jan 07, 2026 8:16:06 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Partnership broken! OUT!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Pakistan break the partnership!

Abrar tosses it up, outside off. Hasaranga tries to get a boundary and hits it to wide long-off. Zaman is there and catches it! OUT!

Hasaranga c Zaman b Abrar 18 (12)

Jan 07, 2026 8:09:08 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Back-to-back fours!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Clever batting! Back-to-back fours as Liyanage takes on Nawaz. First oer cover, and then past the fielder in the deep!

Jan 07, 2026 7:58:16 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Asalanka has to leave now! OUT!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Asalanka has to leave now! Abrar tosses it up, outside off and full. Asalanka goes for the slog sweep, but bottom edges it to the wicketkeeper for a simple catch!

Asalanka c Usman b Abrar 18 (15)

Jan 07, 2026 7:54:04 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Asalanka begins comeback

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: SHOT! Nawaz tosses it up and Asalanka slog sweeps it over deep midwicket for a six! Ends the over with a single.

SL - 59/4 (10)

Jan 07, 2026 7:44:41 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: SL under pressure

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Six runs from this over as Asalanka (5) and Liyanage (2*) look for a partnership after SL lose early wickets. SL are 4 down and need a partnership here!

SL - 44/4 (8)

Jan 07, 2026 7:38:55 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Another wicket for Shadab!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Another wicket for Shadab! In the same over!

Its the wrong'un and Dhananjaya edges it to Usman for a catch! He leaves!

Dhananjaya c Usman b Shadab 10 (10)

Jan 07, 2026 7:36:50 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Shadab gets a wicket in third ball on his return

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: OUT! SHADAB STRIKES IN THE THIRD BALL ON HIS RETURN!

A full delivery and around middle, off. Mendis goes for the pull, but the ball sneaks underneath and a big appeal! LBW GIVEN! Mendis reviews, no bat involved! Umpire's call!

Mendis lbw b Shadab 14 (15)

Jan 07, 2026 7:25:23 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: SL - 16/2 (4)

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Dhananjaya is the new batter and the over ends with only two runs for SL and a wicket lost! Dhananjaya (1*) will be key for SL and will eye a partnership with Mendis (2*) here.

SL - 16/2 (4)

Jan 07, 2026 7:22:02 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: OUT! BIG WICKET!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Short of length delivery by Wasim, and Nissanka goes for the pull shot. But gets it too high, and it lofts to deep square leg, and Nawaz takes it on the second attempt!

Nissanka c Nawaz b Wasim 12 (12)

Jan 07, 2026 7:12:54 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: OUT! MIRZA REMOVES MISHARA!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Mishara goes now! A full delivery by Mirza, and Mishara tries to go big, over mid-off. Ends up lofting it softly to Agha for an easy catch!

Mishara c Agha b Mirza 0 (3)

Jan 07, 2026 7:11:54 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: SL - 12/0 (2)

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Nissanka hits another four in the second over against Wasim. 5 runs from this over, solid start. Mishara hasn't opened his account yet.

SL - 12/0 (2)

Jan 07, 2026 7:06:57 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Confident start for SL!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: 7 runs from the opening over and Nissanka also drives Mirza for a four in the first ball, wide of mid-off.

SL - 7/0 (1)

Jan 07, 2026 7:00:41 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: The action begins!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Nissanka and Mishara to open for SL. Mirza to bowl the opening over for PAK.

Jan 07, 2026 6:53:42 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Playing XIs

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: SL - Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

PAK - Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Jan 07, 2026 6:53:13 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: What did the captains say?

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: After toss, PAK skipper Agha said, "We are going to bowl first. It looks like a good wicket, it has been under the covers for a few days because of the rain and we want to use any help which is there. They (senior players missing out) are outstanding players and will be back soon. Shadab Khan is coming back and we are pretty balanced. There's still a month to go, some of them are playing their first World Cup and some have played 2-3 World Cups, everyone are excited."

Meanwhile, SL captain Shanaka said, "Seems like a very good wicket. But you know how the Dambulla pitches are.. Expecting a high-scoring game. It is a good set-up to showcase their skills, we have 7 batters and 4 specialist bowlers. There is excitement as it is a home World Cup and hopefully the goods will be delivered."

Jan 07, 2026 6:38:00 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: PAK win toss!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Pakistan win the toss and opt to bowl!

Jan 07, 2026 6:32:48 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Covers are off

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Toss will be there soon. It was raining around a hour ago, but now its fine. Covers are also off!

Jan 07, 2026 6:20:45 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Toss upcoming!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Stay tuned folks! Toss is upcoming and is scheduled for 6:30 PM IST!

Jan 07, 2026 6:14:02 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Litmus test

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Both SL and PAK haven't announced their World Cup squads yet, But this series will be crucial for many players, who are pushing for selection.

Jan 07, 2026 6:02:01 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: PAK make big calls

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Pakistan have made some big calls for this series! Rauf, Shaheen and Babar have been excluded! But Shadab returns to the squad.

Jan 07, 2026 5:53:25 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Shanaka handed SL captaincy

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Sri Lanka will be led by Shanaka, who has been handed the captaincy. Speaking ahead of the match, he said, "Our top order has done well in the last few series, but we need to sort out the middle order."

Jan 07, 2026 5:42:38 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Pitch report

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: The pitch in Dambulla is batting-friendly and we can expect some rain tonight. But it won't be that bad that it will wash out the game.

Jan 07, 2026 5:33:50 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: SL squad

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Traveen Mathew, Eshan Malinga, Janith Liyanage, Dushmantha Chameera

Jan 07, 2026 5:15:39 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: PAK squad

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Abdul Samad, Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan(w), Salman Agha(c), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq, Sahibzada Farhan, Abrar Ahmed

Jan 07, 2026 4:56:47 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: Hello and welcome everyone!

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Score, SL vs PAK: The three-match T20I series will serve as a litmus test for both Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Sri Lanka have been woeful lately, and under a new selection panel, they will looking for a fresh chapter ahead of the T20 World Cup. On the other hand, Pakistan are in good form, and will aim to carry that in this series.

Stay tuned folks! The first T20I is scheduled for 7:00 PM IST and toss will be held at 6:30 PM IST!

News cricket Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Highlights: PAK beat SL by six wickets in vital T20 World Cup dress rehearsal

Click here to read article