The first T20I of the three-match series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan already won the ODI series 2-0 against a depleted Sri Lankan side.

In the T20Is, Dasun Shanaka made his captaincy debut for Sri Lanka, but lost the toss and had to bat first. Danushka Gunathilaka made 57, while Avishka Fernando (33) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (32) made useful contributions as the Lankans made 165/5 in 20 overs.

The best part of the Pakistan bowling unit was Mohammad Hasnain (3/37), who at 19 years 183 days became the youngest bowler to take a hat-trick in T20Is and second-youngest after Aaqib Javed to take an international hat-trick. Pakistan had chosen to drop Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal made their comebacks into the playing XI. Nuwan Pradeep removed Azam and Akmal, for a golden duck on return. While Shehzad made 4 and fell to Udana, leaving Pakistan 22/3.

The things got better as Sarfaraz (24) and Iftikhar (25) added 46 runs, but a comical run-out ended that partnership. Pakistan lost the plot there and was finally were bowled out for 101. Nuwan Pradeep picked 3/21 and Udana picked 3/11, De Silva bagged 2/20 as Lanka won the match by 64 runs and went up 1-0 in the three-match series.

BRIEF SCORES:
SL 165/5 (D GUNATHILAKA 57; M HASNAIN 3/37) defeated PAK 101 ( I AHMED 25; I UDANA 3/11) by 64 runs