When Pakistan Cricket Board hosted Sri Lanka Cricket at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 25, 2025, few expected a masterclass in chase — until Sahibzada Farhan stepped up. With 131 runs needed to win and just 15.3 overs to get there, Farhan delivered a blistering 80 not out off 45 balls, guiding Pakistan to a 7-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a tense, high-stakes T20I. The win wasn’t just about runs — it was about resilience. After security fears nearly derailed the entire 2025 Pakistan T20I Tri-Nation SeriesRawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the players delivered on the field like nothing had changed.
Security Concerns Nearly Derailed the Series
The tournament, originally slated to begin on November 17, 2025, was pushed back a day after a violent attack near a court complex in Islamabad on November 11, 2025. Sri Lankan players raised alarms. The team, already wary after past security incidents in the region, considered pulling out. But after intense talks between Pakistan Cricket Board officials and Sri Lanka Cricket leadership — including PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf and SLC President Shammi Silva — enhanced security protocols were put in place. Armed escorts, secure transport corridors, and restricted access zones around the stadium became the norm. The decision to continue? A quiet triumph of diplomacy over fear.Chasing 129: Farhan’s Masterclass
Sri Lanka, after winning the toss and electing to field, were expected to dominate with their spin-heavy attack. Instead, they were dismantled by Pakistan’s explosive top order. Sahibzada Farhan walked in at 32/2 in the fifth over and never looked back. He smashed 11 fours and 4 sixes, blending power with precision. His partnership of 97 runs with Mohammad Rizwan (32 off 24) broke the back of the chase. When Farhan finally reached his half-century off just 29 balls, the crowd erupted — not just for the runs, but for the calm under pressure.It was a different story for Sri Lanka. Their innings, anchored by Janith Liyanage’s 41 off 38 balls, never found momentum. The middle order collapsed under pressure, and by the 18th over, they were 102/6. Enter Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan’s quiet assassin. In his 4 overs, he took 3 wickets for just 16 runs — including the crucial dismissals of Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, and Kusal Mendis. His yorkers at the death were surgical. “He doesn’t celebrate much,” said one commentator. “But his wickets scream.”
Debuts, Milestones, and Squad Shuffles
The match also marked the T20I debut of Sri Lanka’s Eshan Malinga, a fast bowler with raw pace but inconsistent control. He finished with 0/32 in 2 overs — a baptism by fire. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza — playing for Zimbabwe in the series — became the first player to reach 100 T20I wickets across international teams in the same tournament. A historic milestone, even if it wasn’t on the scoreboard for his own side.Team changes were constant. Pakistan replaced Hassan Nawaz with veteran opener Fakhar Zaman on November 9, 2025, a move that paid off in the opening game. Sri Lanka lost Charith Asalanka and Asitha Fernando to illness, promoting Dasun Shanaka to captain and adding Pavan Rathnayake and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth to the squad. These last-minute tweaks tested depth — and Pakistan’s squad depth proved superior.
Why This Matters: A Warm-Up for the 2026 T20 World Cup
This isn’t just a warm-up. It’s a blueprint. With the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup looming in the United States and West Indies, teams are testing combinations, assessing form, and identifying pressure performers. Pakistan’s top order, long criticized for inconsistency, looked sharp. Farhan’s knock wasn’t just a personal win — it was a statement. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, once feared, looked brittle. Their spinners couldn’t contain, and their death overs were leaky.With Zimbabwe still in the mix — they’ve won one match and lost two — the race for the final is wide open. Pakistan now sits atop the table with two wins from three games. Sri Lanka trails with one win. The next clash, on November 27, 2025, will decide who joins them in the final on November 29.
What’s Next: The Final Countdown
The final two matches of the series — Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka on November 27 and the final on November 29 — will be played at the same venue, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Match referee Reon King (West Indies), umpires Ahsan Raza and Faisal Khan Aafreedi, and TV umpire Rashid Riaz are confirmed. The PCB has maintained tight security, and crowds are expected to be near capacity. For Pakistan, it’s not just about winning — it’s about proving they can dominate under pressure. For Sri Lanka, it’s about redemption.
Behind the Scenes: The Quiet Heroes
No one talks about the ground staff who worked 18-hour days after the security scare to repave the outfield. Or the medical teams who tested every player daily for stress levels. Or the security guards who stood in the cold for 12 hours, watching every gate. This match didn’t just happen because of batsmen and bowlers. It happened because dozens of unsung people chose to show up — even when they were scared.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sahibzada Farhan’s performance compare to other T20I chases in Pakistan?
Farhan’s 80* off 45 balls is the second-fastest fifty by a Pakistani in T20I chases since 2022, behind only Babar Azam’s 41-ball 50 against South Africa in 2023. It’s also the highest individual score in a successful T20I chase at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium since 2021. His strike rate of 177.77 is among the top 5 for chases under pressure in the last 18 months.
Why was the tournament moved to Rawalpindi instead of Lahore?
The PCB chose Rawalpindi for centralized security control. Lahore’s larger crowds and complex traffic patterns made it harder to manage. Rawalpindi’s stadium is adjacent to a military zone, allowing for tighter perimeter control. All three teams agreed to the move after a joint security audit on November 15, 2025.
What impact does this win have on Pakistan’s World Cup preparations?
This win validates Pakistan’s middle-order depth and gives them confidence in high-pressure chases — a weakness in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Farhan’s form, Nawaz’s control, and Rizwan’s stability now give them three reliable finishers. Coach Grant Bradburn has already said they’ll trial a new death bowler in the next match, likely Shaheen Afridi in a hybrid role.
Who is Sikandar Raza, and why is his 100th T20I wicket significant?
Sikandar Raza, a Zimbabwe all-rounder, became the first player in history to reach 100 T20I wickets across multiple international teams — having played for Zimbabwe in 89 matches and also featured in 11 T20Is for the ICC World XI in 2023. His 100th wicket came in this series, making him the only player to achieve this milestone. He’s now ahead of former captains like Shahid Afridi and Dwayne Bravo in total T20I wickets.
How did Sri Lanka’s squad changes affect their performance?
Losing Charith Asalanka, their most consistent middle-order batter, and Asitha Fernando, their most economical spinner, left a void. Their new opening pair — Pavan Rathnayake and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth — struggled against pace, and their spinners couldn’t contain Farhan. Their batting depth dropped from 7 to 5 in effective contributors, which cost them in tight chases.
What’s the schedule for the rest of the Tri-Nation Series?
The next match is Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka on November 27, 2025, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Zimbabwe faces Pakistan on November 28, and the final is on November 29. All matches are at the same venue. The top two teams after nine round-robin games qualify. Pakistan leads with 4 points, Sri Lanka has 2, and Zimbabwe has 1.
