Sahibzada Farhan Breaks Abhishek Sharma’s Record Despite Sri Lanka’s T20I Win Over Pakistan
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan created history by recording the most runs in a three-match bilateral men’s T20I series between two Full Member nations. Despite his outstanding batting performance, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 13, 2026. Pakistan nevertheless won the series 2-1 after victories in the first two matches.
Farhan finished the series with 238 runs, surpassing India opener Abhishek Sharma’s previous record of 229 runs against Afghanistan earlier in 2026. The Pakistan captain scored three consecutive half-centuries, demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout the home series.
Sahibzada Farhan Surpasses Abhishek Sharma’s Record
Farhan delivered a series to remember, scoring 89 in the opening T20I, 73 in the second match and 76 in the final game. His three consecutive half-centuries helped him finish with 238 runs across the series.
Before Farhan’s achievement, Abhishek Sharma held the record with 229 runs in a three-match bilateral T20I series against Afghanistan. New Zealand’s Colin Munro previously scored 223 runs against West Indies, while Australia’s David Warner made 217 runs against Sri Lanka in 2019.
Most Runs in a Three-Match Bilateral T20I Series Between Full Members
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | 238 |
| Abhishek Sharma | India | 229 |
| Colin Munro | New Zealand | 223 |
| David Warner | Australia | 217 |
| Hazratullah Zazai | Afghanistan | 204 |
Figures are from the record cited by the ICC for three-match bilateral men’s T20I series between Full Member teams.
Farhan’s achievement is especially notable because he maintained his scoring consistency even as Pakistan lost the final match. His performance earned him the Player of the Series award.
Pakistan Post 168/8 in the Third T20I
After being asked to bat first, Pakistan scored 168/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Farhan led the innings with 76 off 47 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes. Arafat Minhas provided valuable support with an unbeaten 34.
Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals, preventing the hosts from building a larger total. Sri Lanka’s bowlers responded with important breakthroughs, with Dasun Shanaka taking three wickets for 21 runs. Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga claimed two wickets each.
Although Farhan again delivered a strong individual performance, Sri Lanka remained in contention and produced a decisive response during the chase.
Kusal Mendis Leads Sri Lanka to an Eight-Wicket Victory
Sri Lanka chased down the target comfortably, reaching 172/2 in 17.1 overs and winning by eight wickets with 17 deliveries remaining.
Captain Kusal Mendis led the successful chase with an unbeaten 87 from 48 balls, including nine fours and four sixes. He received excellent support from Kamindu Mendis, who remained unbeaten on 40 off 27 deliveries.
Sineth Jayawardena also contributed 38 from 26 balls, helping Sri Lanka establish a strong position before Kusal and Kamindu completed the chase with an unbeaten 98-run partnership for the third wicket.
Kusal’s aggressive innings earned him the Player of the Match award. Sri Lanka’s improved batting and fielding performance allowed the team to finish the series on a positive note after losing the first two matches.
Pakistan Win the Series 2-1
Despite losing the final T20I, Pakistan secured the three-match series 2-1. The hosts won the opening match by four wickets on October 9 before registering a dominant 82-run victory in the second game on October 11.
Those two wins meant Pakistan had already secured the series before the final encounter. Sri Lanka’s victory in the third match prevented a clean sweep and gave the visitors a consolation win.
The series highlighted Pakistan’s overall success and Farhan’s exceptional individual form. His record-breaking run tally added another milestone to his T20I career, while Sri Lanka’s performance in the final match demonstrated the team’s ability to respond under pressure.
What Sahibzada Farhan’s Record Means
Farhan’s 238 runs set a new benchmark for batters in three-match bilateral men’s T20I series between Full Member teams. Scoring three successive half-centuries also underlined his consistency across different match situations.
For India, Abhishek Sharma’s previous record of 229 runs has now been surpassed, adding another talking point to the competition between leading international T20 batters.
However, the individual record and the match result tell two different stories: Farhan dominated the series run charts, while Sri Lanka finished the final game stronger. Pakistan took the series, but Sri Lanka ended the contest with momentum from a convincing chase.
The teams are now set to feature in an ODI tri-series alongside England, beginning in Rawalpindi on October 18, with the final scheduled for Lahore on October 31.
Conclusion
Sahibzada Farhan’s 238 runs against Sri Lanka established a new record for the most runs in a three-match bilateral men’s T20I series between Full Member nations, taking the mark beyond Abhishek Sharma’s 229. Although Sri Lanka won the final T20I by eight wickets, Pakistan’s victories in the first two matches secured a 2-1 series triumph. Farhan’s consistency and Kusal Mendis’ match-winning 87 were the standout individual performances of the series.