Pakistan's newest skipper Sahibzada Farhan hit a swashbuckling half-century to guide Pakistan to a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first T20 international in Rawalpindi on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Farhan, appointed captain last month, smacked 89 off 53 balls with 10 fours and four sixes, guiding Pakistan to their target of 183 in 18.5 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The win gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka posted 182-8 as opener Lahiru Udara struck 91 off 55 balls after the tourists won the toss and batted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Farhan and Fakhar Zaman got the hosts off to a rollicking start of 54-0 in five overs as Sri Lanka's attack failed to stop the flow of runs, with Zaman scoring 21 off 13.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Maaz Sadaqat kept the momentum flowing as he hit three sixes and four fours in a brisk 50, adding 92 runs with his skipper to lead Pakistan to within sight of victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan lost Hasaz Nawaz and Saim Ayub cheaply before Farhan was caught in the deep, but it did not derail their chase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, Udara hit the highest T20 score by a Sri Lankan against Pakistan, improving upon Kusal Perera's 84 in Dubai in 2013.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Udara added 60 runs for the third wicket with Kamindu Mendis (23) after a poor start saw captain Kusal Mendis dismissed for one and Kamil Mishara depart for six, helping the team recover from 18-2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dasun Shanaka offered brief support as he and Udara added 57 for the fifth wicket, with Sri Lanka taking 66 runs off the last six overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fast bowler Naseem Shah grabbed 3-36 for Pakistan, while debutant Mohammad Imran took 2-21.<\/p>\r\n\r\n