Published 2026-10-14 04:14 PM PKT · IN · Traffic 10000+

Pakistani captain Farhan breaks Abhishek Sharma's T20I record

Sahibzada Farhan of Pakistan eclipsed Abhishek Sharma's record of consecutive half‑centuries in a bilateral T20I series. The feat came as Pakistan faced Sri Lanka in a tightly contested three‑match set‑up.

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In the third T20 International of the Pakistan‑Sri Lanka series held in Rawalpindi, Pakistani opener Sahibzada Farhan scored a half‑century, marking his third successive fifty in the series. This achievement made him the first player in the world to register half‑centuries in all three matches of a bilateral T20I series, surpassing the previous benchmark set by Indian batsman Abhishek Sharma.

Sharma had entered the record books earlier in the series after posting back‑to‑back fifties against Sri Lanka, a performance that drew comparisons with Indian legend Virat Kohli. However, Farhan's consistency across the three games redefined the standard, prompting analysts to note the shift in momentum towards Pakistan's batting line‑up.

Sri Lanka managed to clinch a clean sweep in the series, winning the final match by eight wickets. Their bowlers, led by veteran spinner Rangana Herath, restricted Pakistan to a modest total, while batsmen Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka contributed crucial runs. Despite the series loss, Pakistan's batting display, highlighted by Farhan's record, received praise from commentators.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to issue an official statement on the statistical milestone, but cricket statisticians have updated the record books to reflect Farhan's new achievement. Social media platforms in India and Pakistan lit up with discussions, many fans expressing admiration for both Sharma's earlier feat and Farhan's subsequent breakthrough.

Why it matters

The record holds significance for Indian cricket fans who closely follow Abhishek Sharma's rise as a promising middle‑order batsman. Sharma's earlier streak had raised expectations about his potential to become a mainstay in India's limited‑overs side, and the new record underscores the competitive pressure young players face on the international stage.

For Pakistan, Farhan's accomplishment adds a morale boost ahead of upcoming series against other major cricketing nations. It also highlights the depth of talent emerging from the country's domestic circuits, suggesting that the team may have more options to strengthen its batting order.

In the broader South Asian cricketing context, the episode illustrates the intense rivalry between India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, where individual milestones often become points of national pride and media focus. The record may influence selection debates and coaching strategies as teams look to nurture consistency in the shortest format of the game.

Background

Abhishek Sharma, a right‑handed batsman from New Delhi, made his T20I debut for India in 2022 and quickly earned a reputation for aggressive stroke play. In the early weeks of the Pakistan‑Sri Lanka series, he recorded half‑centuries in the first two matches, becoming the first Indian to achieve consecutive fifties against Sri Lanka in a bilateral T20I series.

Sahibzada Farhan, a relatively new face in Pakistan's senior squad, had been performing well in domestic tournaments before being called up for the series. His ability to adapt to varying pitch conditions and maintain a steady strike rate earned him a spot in the opening order.

Sri Lanka, under the captaincy of Dasun Shanaka, entered the series looking to rebuild after a mixed performance in previous tournaments. Their bowlers focused on disciplined line and length, while the batting unit relied on experience and emerging talent to chase targets.

The series was part of the ICC's Future Tours Programme, intended to give each nation regular exposure to different playing conditions and to provide a platform for emerging players to test themselves against established opponents.

What happens next

The ICC is expected to update its official statistics in the coming days, confirming Farhan's record and adjusting related leaderboards. Both India and Pakistan will analyze the series footage to refine strategies ahead of their next bilateral engagements, with India likely to reassess Sharma's role in the middle order.

Sri Lanka, buoyed by the series sweep, will look to carry forward the momentum into upcoming tournaments, while Pakistan may use the batting milestone as a springboard for rebuilding its limited‑overs lineup.

Summary

- Sahibzada Farhan became the first player to score half‑centuries in all three matches of a bilateral T20I series, overtaking Abhishek Sharma's previous record. - Sharma had earlier matched Virat Kohli's consistency with back‑to‑back fifties, raising his profile in the Indian team. - Sri Lanka won the series 3-0, with strong performances from their bowlers and key batsmen. - The milestone highlights the growing competition among South Asian cricketers and may influence future team selections. - ICC statistical updates and upcoming series will determine how the record shapes player trajectories.

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