Published: Dec 14, 2013, 02:34 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 14, 2013, 02:34 AM (IST)
Dec 14, 2013
Sri Lanka put in a strong performance to beat Pakistan by 24 runs in the second Twenty20 International in Dubai on Friday. After being put into bat, Sri Lanka posted a massive 211 for three with Kusal Perera top-scoring with 84. Pakistan were bowled out for 187 in 19.2 overs. The win helped Sri Lanka square the two-match series at 1-1.
The innings began on a positive note for Sri Lanka as Ahmed Shehzad was dismissed for eight in the third over by Sachithra Senanayake. By the end of the fourth over, Pakistan lost their captain Mohammad Hafeez for seven. He edged a delivery from Nuwan Kulasekara to Kumar Sangakkara behind the wickets.
Opener Sharjeel Khan all this while was adding the runs. He and Sohaib Maqsood added 35 runs for the third wicket. But the stand came to an end as Maqsood was dismissed by Thisara Perera for 15. Sharjeel was soon bowled by debutant leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna for a well-made 50 off 25 balls. He struck five fours and three sixes.
Then two balls later, Umar Akmal was also bowled for a duck. Pakistan had lost half their side for only 84 in less than 10 overs. But it soon became worse as off-spinner Senanayake got two wickets in two deliveries.
First was Umar Amin for a two-ball duck as he handed a catch to captain Dinesh Chandimal at sill mid-off. Second was Bilawal Bhatti as he was stumped by Sangakkara next ball.
But there was a fightback for Pakistan as Shahid Afridi and Sohail Tanvir added 36 runs for the eighth wicket. Afridi was in terrific form as he smashed a 13-ball 28 with two fours and two sixes. But Sri Lanka struck again as Thisara Perera dismissed Afridi in the 14th over.
Afridi mishit a length delivery and it went high in the air. Sangakkara called for the catch and overran it, but he stuck out his right hand and took an absolute stunner. Saeed Ajmal then added 63 runs with Tanvir for the ninth wicket. The partnership brought Pakistan closer to Sri Lanka’s total, but it was always a big mountain to climb.
Tanvir was caught by Prasanna off Lasith Malinga‘s bowling for 41 from 26 balls. The innings included five fours and one six. Ajmal was the last wicket to fall for 20 off 15 balls. He was out leg-before by Kulasekara. Sri Lanka won the match by 24 runs.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a big total of 211 for three. While Perera top-scored with a 59-ball 84, Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 48 and Sangakkara scored 44. Ajmal took two wickets.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 211 for 3 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 84, Tillakaratne Dilshan 48, Kumar Sangakkara 44; Saeed Ajmal 2 for 25) beat Pakistan 187 in 19.2 overs (Sharjeel Khan 50, Sohail Tanvir 41; Sachithra Senanayake 3 for 27, Nuwan Kulasekara 2 for 23) by 24 runs.
Man of the Match: Kusal Perera
Man of the Series: Shahid Afridi
