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ISLAMABAD: Sahibzada Farhan has made history by becoming the first Pakistani batsman to smash 100 sixes in a calender year in T20 cricket, marking a major breakthrough for the country&rsquo;s limited-overs game.&nbsp;Only Australia&rsquo;s Karanbir Singh (122) and West Indies&rsquo; Nicholas Pooran (103) sit above him on the international leaderboard, underlining Farhan&rsquo;s rise as one of the world&rsquo;s most explosive power-hitters.&nbsp;Farhan has also pulled level with both Karanbir and Pooran for the most T20 fifties in a calendar year, with all three recording 15 each. His tally includes 4 hundreds and 11 fifties, compared with Karanbir&rsquo;s 13 fifties and 2 hundreds, and Pooran&rsquo;s 14 fifties and 1 century.&nbsp;The milestone came on a dominant night for Pakistan, who cruised past Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the T20 tri-series in Rawalpindi on Saturday. Farhan smashed an unbeaten 80 off 45 balls to guide the hosts to a comfortable win.&nbsp;Sri Lanka, still shaken from a heavy opening defeat to Zimbabwe, managed only 128-7 after choosing to bat as Mohammad Nawaz&rsquo;s 3-16 and Abrar Ahmed&rsquo;s accuracy kept them under pressure.&nbsp;Farhan attacked from the outset, racing Pakistan to 47 in five overs before adding 69 alongside Babar Azam. Despite two late strikes from Dushmantha Chameera, Pakistan sealed the chase in 15.3 overs at 131-3.&nbsp;Captain Salman Ali Agha praised his side for delivering a &ldquo;complete game,&rdquo; while Sri Lanka&rsquo;s troubled tour continued with another disappointing outing.

Cricket

Only Australia’s Karanbir Singh (122) and West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran (103) are above him on the international leaderboard.

Sahibzada Farhan becomes first Pakistani batter to hit 100 T20 sixes in a year

RAWALPINDI: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Wasim starred as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the third and final ODI on Sunday, claiming the series 3-0.&nbsp;Rizwan scored an unbeaten 61 and opener Fakhar Zaman knocked 55 to guide Pakistan past their target of 212 in 44.4 overs.&nbsp;Fast bowler Wasim earlier took 3-47, while pace partner Haris Rauf and spinner Faisal Akram took two apiece to bowl out Sri Lanka on a slow-paced Rawalpindi Stadium pitch.&nbsp;This becomes Pakistan&#39;s fourth consecutive ODI series win over Sri Lanka, having beaten them in 2015, 2017 and 2019.&nbsp;Pakistan did lose opener Haseebullah Khan for a duck but Babar Azam joined Zaman to put 74 runs for the second wicket with both dominating the bowling.&nbsp;Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay brought Sri Lanka back in the game by removing Zaman, Azam (34) and Salman Agha (six) in the space of 33 runs.&nbsp;But Rizwan and Hussain Talat, who scored 42 not out, dove Pakistan past the target and to 215-4 during their unbroken 100-run stand for the fifth wicket.&nbsp;Zaman hit eight boundaries while the usually-swashbuckling Rizwan played an anchoring knock which featured just four hits to the rope.&nbsp;Vandersay finished with 3-42 but did not get any support from the other bowlers.&nbsp;For Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, it was his second series win as captain after beating South Africa 2-1 earlier this month.&nbsp;Sri Lanka lost the first two ODIs in Rawalpindi and started the final match on a bad note when skipper Charith Asalanka was ruled out with a fever.&nbsp;Sadeera Samarawickrama, who top-scored with 48, added 43 for the third wicket with stand-in captain Kusal Mendis (34), but the innings then fell away badly.&nbsp;Pathum Nissanka scored 24 and Kamil Mishara made 29 but both openers were dismissed in quick succession by the combination of Rauf and Wasim.&nbsp;Akram, playing his first international in a year, dismissed Kamindu Mendis for 10 and then Samarawickrama as the tourists slumped from 143-4 to 193-8.&nbsp;Debutant Pavan Rathnayake hit a fighting 32 with a six and two boundaries before he was the last man to go, run out trying to grab a quick second.&nbsp;The two sides will next engage in a T20 tri-series alongside Zimbabwe, beginning November 18.

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final ODI to seal a 3-0 series sweep. Rizwan and Wasim starred as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 211 amid tight bowling. 

Clinical Pakistan whitewash Sri Lanka 3-0 in ODI series

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said we are really grateful to the Sri Lankan team for upholding sportsman spirit, for supporting the game of cricket and for putting up a good display of the game.&nbsp;Talking to Pakistan TV, the information minister said Sri Lanka has always support cricket across the globe. &ldquo;We are really grateful to them for continuing their tour of Pakistan and will be continuing their matches,&rdquo; he added.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 624px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1988692147776954481&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=a455c100864d2c01498596411a4d83dd6dee6f0d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="1988692147776954481"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;The minister said it is really heartening to note the way they have always promoted peace.&nbsp;He said it will go a long way in raising hope for people in Pakistan.&nbsp;Tarar said the government and people of Pakistan are grateful to the Sri Lankan team, the management and players.&nbsp;&ldquo;Sri Lanka itself has remained a victim of terrorism and resilient people of Sri Lanka prevailed, and they overcame their difficulties and have also given us hope,&rdquo; the minister added<figure class="fr-media"><video controls="" src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/1660ed7e-bd4c-4759-bf17-c5699cd7c885-slc-low.mp4" class="fr-draggable"> </video></figure>

Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar thanked the Sri Lankan cricket team for continuing their Pakistan tour, praising their sportsmanship, support for global cricket, and promotion of peace.

Tarar appreciates Sri Lankan team's gesture of continuing tour to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu produced a decisive final-over spell to guide her side to a seven-run victory over Bangladesh in the ICC Women&rsquo;s Cricket World Cup 2025 on Monday.&nbsp;Chasing a target of 203 runs, Bangladesh appeared well placed for victory, needing just nine runs from the final over with five wickets in hand. However, Athapaththu conceded only one run and took four wickets in the final over to secure a dramatic win.&nbsp;Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka were all out for 202 in 48.4 overs.&nbsp; Sri Lanka&#39;s Right-hand batter Hasini Perera anchored the innings with 85 off 99 balls, hitting 13 fours and a six. She shared a 72-run stand with captain Athapaththu, who scored 46 off 43 deliveries. For Bangladesh, leg-spinner Shorna Akter claimed three wickets, while Leg-spinner Rabeya Khatun took two.&nbsp;Bangladesh captain and wicketkeeper-batter Nigar Sultana top-scored with 77 off 98 balls, while opener Sharmin Akhter remained unbeaten on 64 off 103 deliveries. Despite their strong partnership, Bangladesh collapsed in the final over and were restricted to 195.&nbsp;The result lifted Sri Lanka to sixth place on the points table with four points, while Bangladesh was eliminated from semi-final contention, as they remain on two points from six matches, with a group match left against India on Sunday.

Athapaththu’s spell, taking four wickets for one run, hands Sri Lanka dramatic seven-run victory over Bangladesh in ICC Women’s World Cup, eliminating the Tigers from semifinal contention.

Athapaththu’s final-over heroics seal Sri Lanka’s thrilling win

ISLAMABAD: A brilliant century from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt powered England to a commanding 89-run victory over Sri Lanka in their ICC Women&rsquo;s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.&nbsp;Opting to bowl first, Sri Lanka&rsquo;s decision proved costly as England posted a formidable 253 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs.&nbsp;Sciver-Brunt led from the front with a superb 117 off 117 balls, studded with nine fours and two sixes. Tammy Beaumont (32) and Heather Knight (29) provided valuable support in building England&rsquo;s total.&nbsp;For Sri Lanka, Inoka Ranaweera stood out with impressive figures of 3 for 33, while Sugandika Kumari and Udeshika Prabodhani chipped in with two wickets apiece.&nbsp;In reply, Sri Lanka&rsquo;s chase never gained momentum as they were bowled out for 164 in 45.4 overs. Hasini Perera (35) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33) offered brief resistance, but England&rsquo;s disciplined bowling attack proved too strong. Sophie Ecclestone was exceptional, claiming 4 for 17 in her 10 overs, while Charlie Dean and Sciver-Brunt picked up two wickets each.&nbsp;The emphatic win lifted England to the top of the World Cup standings with six points from three matches, moving past Australia. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, remained in seventh place with just one point from their three outings.

England posted 253/9 as Nat Sciver-Brunt smashed 117 (117), while Sri Lanka managed just 164 in reply. Sophie Ecclestone starred with 4/17, sealing England’s 89-run win and top spot in the standings.

England crush Sri Lanka by 89 runs in Women’s World Cup

ABU DHABI: Pakistan kept their Asia Cup campaign alive with a hard-fought five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a Super Four clash in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. With both teams having lost their opening fixtures of the second round, defeat was not an option and Pakistan&#39;s bowlers rose to the occasion tying Sri Lanka down to 133-8 on a featherbed of a pitch. Chasing what looked a modest target, Pakistan made heavy weather of it. After a brisk opening stand of 45, their innings went into free fall at 80-5. But a cool-headed 58-run partnership off 41 balls for the sixth wicket between Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat steadied the ship and saw them home with 12 deliveries in hand. Nawaz struck a breezy 38 off 24 balls, while Talat anchored the innings with an unbeaten 32 off 30. Shaheen sets the tone&nbsp;Earlier, Shaheen Shah Afridi set the tone with the new ball, nipping out Sri Lanka&#39;s in-form openers inside his first two overs. The left-arm quick returned at the death to dismiss top-scorer Kamindu Mendis and closed with figures of three for 28 -- a spell that put Pakistan on the front foot. Talat and Haris Rauf chipped in with two wickets apiece, while leggie Abrar Ahmed bowled with miserly precision, giving away just eight runs in his four overs and dismissing fellow leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. Sri Lanka, unbeaten in the first round with three wins on the trot, have hit a brick wall in the Super Four, losing to Bangladesh on Saturday and now to Pakistan. With only India left to play, their chances of making the final are hanging by a thread. Sri Lanka slump to 58-5Put in to bat, Sri Lanka slumped to 58-5 and looked set to be bundled out inside 20 overs. But Kamindu Mendis dug in, compiling a fighting 50 off 44 balls with three fours and two sixes, his third half-century in T20Is. He stitched together a 43-run stand with Chamika Karunaratne for the seventh wicket, but the former champions were still left high and dry.

Pakistan stayed alive in the Asia Cup with a tense five-wicket win over Sri Lanka, chasing 134 after strong bowling displays by Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed. Nawaz and Talat’s partnership sealed the victory. 

Pakistan stay alive in Asia Cup with win over Sri Lanka

ISLAMABAD: Sri Lanka cruised to a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan on Thursday, knocking the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinalists out of the Asia Cup and topping Group B with their third straight win. Bangladesh also advanced to the Super 4 with two wins.&nbsp;Kusal Mendis anchored the chase with an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to 171-4 with more than an over to spare. His calm dismantling of Afghanistan&rsquo;s spin trio, particularly Noor Ahmad (1-37) and Rashid Khan (0-23), kept the run-chase in control.&nbsp;Earlier, Mohammad Nabi gave Afghanistan late hope with a blistering 60 off just 22 balls, smashing five sixes in the final over bowled by Dunith Wellalage. Despite Nabi&rsquo;s 46 runs in the last two overs, Afghanistan could only post 169-8 after being reduced to 114-7.&nbsp;Nuwan Thushara (4-18) starred with the ball, demolishing Afghanistan&rsquo;s top order during the powerplay. Kusal Perera&rsquo;s sharp fielding added to Afghanistan&rsquo;s woes, including two key catches.&nbsp;Mendis was supported by Kusal Perera (28) and Kamindu Mendis (26*), with Sri Lanka finishing comfortably.&nbsp;Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan admitted, &ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t bowl as well as we should have. Expectations were to at least reach the next round.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka hailed it as &ldquo;almost a perfect game,&rdquo; aside from Nabi&rsquo;s final over heroics.

Kusal Mendis' unbeaten 74 and Nuwan Thushara’s 4-wicket haul powered Sri Lanka to a commanding win over Afghanistan.

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