Pakistan claimed a comfortable 29-run victory over reigning T20 world champions, Sri Lanka in their first T20 match played at R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday evening.
With this loss, the islanders’ pitiable record at R. Premadasa International Stadium continues as they suffered their 7th defeat in the 8th T20I match played at the famous venue in the capital city of Colombo. Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
After opting to bat first, Pakistan posted a staggering 175 for 5 in their 20 overs. Ahmed Shehzad, Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal scored 46 runs each to bolster the visitors’ innings. The hosts’ in their chase was never in a position to win as they were restricted to 146 for 7 in their 20 overs. Milinda Siriwardana top-scored for Sri Lanka with a charismatic 18-ball knock of 35.
Akmal hit three boundaries and as many sixes during an entertaining fourth wicket stand of 81 from just 45 deliveries with Shoaib Malik, who remained unbeaten on a 31-ball 46.
Ahmed Shehzad was the other notable contributor with 46 off 38 balls, but Sri Lanka lost the way when Pakistan pillaged 70 runs in the final 6 overs to set up the rousing target.
Pakistan lost opener Mukhtar Ahmed in the second over, but Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez revived the innings with a 42-run partnership for the second wicket.
Debutant left-arm seamer Binura Fernando conceded 17 runs in the 16th over which included two consecutive sixes by Akmal. Leg-spinner Jefferey Vandersay was the most-economical bowling his quota of 4 overs for just 25 runs and he did not even concede one boundary.
Sri Lanka’s captain Lasith Malinga was the most expensive bowler, giving away 46 runs in his four overs and incidentally this is his 2nd most expensive spell in T20 international cricket.
The hosts were dealt two early blows as Kusal Perera fell off the third ball of the innings and senior statesmen, Tillakaratne Dilshan was dismissed in the next over to make it 13 for 2.
Debutant right-handed batsman Dhananjaya de Silva looked promising during his knock of 31 in 32 balls but lacked the ability to clear the boundary. Left-handed Milinda Siriwardana’s blistering 35 gave some hope to the jam-packed R. Premadasa fans, before Chamara Kapugedera justified his recall with three sixes in his unbeaten 31 off 16 balls.
The left-arm seamer Tanvir finished with 3 for 29 while Anwar Ali took 2 for 27 to tie down the Sri Lankan batsmen.
The second match will be played at the same venue on Saturday with Pakistan looking to complete a triple on the current tour, having earlier clinched the Tests 2-1 and the one-dayers 3-2.
Pakistan – 175/5 in 20 overs: Ahmed Shehzad 46, Umar Akmal 46, Shoaiib Malik 46*, Thisara Perera 2/30.
Sri Lanka – 146/7 in 20 overs: Dhananjaya De Silva 31, Angelo Mathews 23, Milinda Siriwardana 35, Chamara Kapugedara 31*, Sohail Tanvir 3/29.
Man of the Match – Sohail Tanvir (Pakistan)
