Sadaqat's Blistering 96 Powers Pakistan to 82-Run Rout of Sri Lanka, Sealing T20 Series

Pakistan blew Sri Lanka away in Rawalpindi on Sunday, piling up a towering 215 for three — their highest T20 total on home soil — before skittling the visitors for 133 for seven to seal the three-match series with a game to spare. Sent in after losing the toss, the hosts were propelled by a whirlwind knock from Maaz Sadaqat, who crunched six fours and seven sixes in a 51-ball 96 before falling off the final delivery, agonisingly short of a maiden T20 international hundred. It was the 23-year-old's second statement innings of the series after his half-century in Friday's opener. Captain Sahibzada Farhan was just as destructive, backing up his 89 in the first match with a 44-ball 73 containing four fours and five sixes. The pair added 88 from 49 balls for the second wicket, and Sadaqat then joined Hasan Nawaz for a 72-run stand off just 31 deliveries as Pakistan plundered 70 runs in the final five overs. Sri Lanka's fielders contributed to their own downfall, dropping Sadaqat on 44 and Farhan twice. The chase never got going. Mohammad Imran Randhawa produced the game's standout bowling figures of three for 11 from four overs, while newcomer Salman Mirza took two for 28 as Sri Lanka slumped to 64 for five by the 11th over. Maheesh Theekshana's unbeaten 32 was the top score for the tourists. Sadaqat was named player of the match. The final T20I is on Tuesday, and Pakistan will chase a clean sweep.