Sahibzada Farhan led Pakistan to a series win while breaking the T20I run record, scoring 238 runs in the three‑match Pakistan vs Sri Lanka encounter. Despite his effort, Sri Lanka claimed the final game.
Record‑breaking performance by साहिबज़ादा फरहान
The captain's third straight half‑century, a rapid 76 off 47 balls, lifted his series tally to 238 runs. This surpassed India's Abhishek Sharma, who had held the previous record of 229 runs set against Afghanistan earlier in the year.
Series overview: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
Pakistan secured the series after dominant victories in the first two matches on 9 October and 11 October. The opening game was won by four wickets, and the second by a margin of 82 runs. The third match, played in Rawalpindi on 13 October, saw Sri Lanka chase down 168 runs with 17 balls to spare, thanks to Kusal Mendis’s unbeaten 87.
For full details of Mendis’s innings, see the match report.
How the new record compares
- Previous record: 229 runs – Abhishek Sharma (India vs Afghanistan)
- Second‑best: 223 runs – Colin Munro (New Zealand vs West Indies, 2023‑24)
- Third‑best: 217 runs – David Warner (Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2019)
Farhan’s achievement places him at the top of the all‑time list for runs in a bilateral three‑match T20I series between Full Members.
Player reactions and future outlook
After the final, Farhan emphasized consistency, noting that Pakistan approached the game with the same plan used in the earlier wins. He expressed a desire to build on his form for upcoming fixtures.
Sri Lanka’s captain, Kusal Mendis, highlighted the team’s improved bowling, fielding, and batting, praising contributions from both himself and Kamindu Mendis.
What comes next?
Pakistan will look to maintain momentum in upcoming series, while Sri Lanka will aim to capitalize on their late‑stage win. The record set by साहिबज़ादा फरहान is likely to stand until another batsman exceeds the 238‑run threshold in a similar three‑match bilateral series.
