Pakistan produced a composed chasing performance to secure a hard-fought victory over Sri Lanka in an international limited-overs encounter played on Tuesday, January 7, 2026. In a match that swung back and forth before settling decisively in Pakistan’s favour, the Men in Green chased down a modest but competitive target with confidence, underlining their growing consistency in pressure situations.
Batting first, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 128 in 19.2 overs. The Sri Lankan innings began cautiously, with the top order attempting to assess conditions and build a steady platform. However, Pakistan’s bowlers maintained tight control from the outset, restricting scoring opportunities and forcing errors.
Regular wickets prevented Sri Lanka from establishing momentum. While a couple of middle-order batters attempted to stabilize the innings with sensible shot selection and strike rotation, the lack of sustained partnerships proved costly. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack combined pace variation with sharp fielding, ensuring that Sri Lanka were unable to accelerate during the latter stages. The innings ended prematurely at 19.2 overs, leaving Sri Lanka with a total that was competitive but below par on a surface offering decent batting conditions.
In reply, Pakistan approached the chase with clarity and intent. The openers laid a solid foundation, balancing caution with controlled aggression. Even after the fall of early wickets, Pakistan remained unfazed, keeping the required run rate well within reach.
The middle overs proved decisive, as Pakistan’s batters capitalized on loose deliveries and rotated the strike efficiently. One batter, in particular, stood out for his calm presence and ability to find gaps consistently, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s bowlers were unable to apply sustained pressure.
Pakistan eventually reached the target at 129 for 4 in 16.4 overs, sealing the match with more than three overs to spare. The successful chase reflected not just superior batting depth but also smart game awareness in a relatively low-scoring contest.
For his match-winning contribution with the bat, Babar Azam was named Man of the Match, having anchored the chase with a composed and technically sound innings that guided Pakistan home.
The result marked an encouraging performance for Pakistan as they continue to build momentum in international cricket in 2026. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will take positives from their bowling effort but will look to address batting inconsistencies ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
Overall, the January 7 encounter delivered a competitive contest, reinforcing the importance of discipline and composure in modern limited-overs cricket.