Fahim Ashraf’s hat-trick restricts Sri Lanka to 124-9 vs Pakistan in 2nd T20I

Fahim Ashraf's hat-trick was the turning point as Pakistan managed to restrict Sri Lanka to 124 for the loss of nine wickets in second T20I.

Fahim Ashraf‘s hat-trick turned out to be the turning point of the match. Pakistan managed to restrict Sri Lanka to 124 for 9 in the second of the three-match T20I series at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Ashraf became the first Pakistani to claim a hat-trick in T20 Internationals. Sri Lanka got off to a steady start thanks to followed by Danushka Gunathilaka’s maiden half-century. At one stage they were cruising at 106 for 1 in 16.1 overs. But Pakistan held their nerves as wickets started falling towards the end of the innings. Sri Lanka lost 8 for 13 in 20 balls. Apart for the top three, no other batsman was able to go past even 6. Ashraf finished with figures of 3 for 16, while three Sri Lankans were run out. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2017-18, 2nd T20I at Abu Dhabi

Earlier, Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and elected to bowl. Both teams went with unchanged squad from the opening tie just 24 hours ago. The Lankan openers, Gunathilaka and Dilshan Munaweera, were off to a steady start. They added 43 in 40 balls before Munaweera was run out for 19. Then Gunathilaka and Sadeera Samarawickrama added 63. Then the latter was run out for 32 in the 17th over.

This following when Pakistan started to dominate with the ball as the Lankan batsmen never stood a chance to recover. Ashraf dismissed Isuru Udana (Hasan Ali took a brilliant catch at short fine-leg), Mahela Udawatte (caught by Babar Azam at deep point) and Dasun Shanaka (tried to pull a good-length delivery and trapped in front) off consecutive deliveries.

Brief scores

Sri Lanka 124 for 9 in 20 overs (Danushka Gunathilaka 51, Sadeera Samarawickrama 32; Fahim Ashraf 3 for 16) vs Pakistan.

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