Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2015, 2nd T20I at Colombo: Pakistan look to finish in style

Pakistan outplayed Sri Lanka in almost every department in the last game.

Following a 29-run win in the first Twenty20 International (T20I), visitors Pakistan take on the reigning World T20 Champions Sri Lanka in the second and final match of the series at the R Premdasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. Pakistan, who outplayed Sri Lanka in almost every department in the last game, were helped by three crucial knocks from Ahmed Shehzad, Shoaib Malik, and Umar Akmal. Sohail Tanvir then took three wickets to knock Sri Lanka over. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have already had a dreadful series, having lost the Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODIs). They were outplayed in almost every department in the last game; the bowling failed to click as Pakistan batsmen were able to score run with an ease. Thisara Perea took a couple of wickets, while debutant Binura Fernando, Angelo Mathews, and skipper Lasith Malinga claimed a wicket each. They never looked particularly threatening though, and were unable to strike at regular intervals. SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2015, 2nd T20I

Sri Lanka’s batting was far from impressive. Dhananjaya de Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, and Chamara Kapugedera all scored more than 30, but they lost their top-order within the first four overs, which more or less cost them the match. Chasing a challenging total of 176 was never going to be easy, but the Sri Lankan batsmen did not get anywhere close, nor did they look like they would. READ: Kusal Perera has finally turned a corner, but bigger challenges await

Considering form and momentum, Pakistan are likely to go in with an unchanged squad, though Mukhtar Ahmed could well be replaced by Nauman Anwar if they so wish. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, could ring in quite a few changes given their haphazard performance. The second game being played at the same venue in Colombo, and with Pakistan being used to conditions and having got off to a good start in the first match, they will go in as favourites once again. READ: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2015, 1st T20I at Colombo highlights

Squad:

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Chaturanga de Silva, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Milinda Siriwardana, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Dhananjaya de Silva, Binura Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thisara Perera.

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan, Mukhtar Ahmed, Nauman Anwar, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Shah, Imad Wasim, Zia-ul-Haq.

Time: 19:00 local | 13:30 GMT | 19:00 IST

(Ayush Gupta is a reporter at CricketCountry. A passionate supporter of Manchester United, he idolises Roger Federer and is also a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) maniac. He can be followed on Twitter @Ayush24x7)

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