Maaz Sadaqat Smashes No-Look Six Off Eshan Malinga During PAK vs SL 1st T20I Match
Maaz Sadaqat's audacious no-look six off Eshan Malinga highlighted Pakistan's dominant four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the 1st T20I today, October 9, 2026, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Captain Sahibzada Farhan's impressive knock of 89 further solidified the chase, leading Pakistan to successfully hunt down the target of 183 runs.
Pakistan kicked off their T20I series against Sri Lanka with a commanding four-wicket victory today, October 9, 2026, largely thanks to an electrifying start from young sensation Maaz Sadaqat. The left-handed all-rounder smashed an audacious no-look six off Sri Lankan pacer Eshan Malinga early in his innings, immediately signaling Pakistan's intent in their chase of 183. Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 2026: Full Schedule, Match Dates, Timings and Venues.
Maaz Sadaqat Smashes No-Look Six Off Eshan Malinga
Sadaqat, who recently made his international debut in March 2026, went on to score a vital half-century, providing crucial impetus at the top of the order. His fearless approach complemented skipper Sahibzada Farhan's anchoring innings, as the duo put together a decisive 92-run partnership for the second wicket, following a strong 54-run opening stand. Pakistan chased down Sri Lanka’s total of 182/8 with seven balls to spare, reaching 187/6 in 18.5 overs.
Pakistan's Dominant Chase
Set a challenging target of 183 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan's batsmen showed remarkable composure and aggression. After a brisk start from the openers, it was the partnership between Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat that truly took the game away from Sri Lanka. Farhan, leading from the front, blasted an impressive 89 runs off just 53 deliveries, an innings studded with 10 fours and 4 sixes.
The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to contain Pakistan's charge, particularly with dew becoming a factor in the evening, making fielding challenging. Despite late wickets, including Shadab Khan falling for a duck, Khawaja Nafay delivered the final blow, fittingly sealing the victory with a no-look six of his own off Eshan Malinga, echoing Sadaqat’s earlier audacious stroke. Where to Watch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Series 2026 Live Streaming Online and TV Channel Telecast in India.
Eshan Malinga's Efforts and Sri Lanka's Shortfall
For Sri Lanka, Eshan Malinga, the 25-year-old right-arm fast-medium bowler who made his T20I debut in November 2025, was in the thick of the action. While he bore the brunt of Sadaqat and Nafay's aggressive hitting, he did manage to pick up wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Shadab Khan. Naseem Shah was the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming a three-wicket haul that restricted Sri Lanka to 182/8 after their 20 overs. The match commentary suggested Sri Lanka were "at least 25 short" of a competitive total on this Rawalpindi track.
Pakistan will look to carry this winning momentum into the remaining matches of the series, while Sri Lanka will be keen to regroup and bounce back, aiming to level the series in what promises to be an engaging contest.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2026 10:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).