Pakistan late order stuns young Sri Lanka to take T20 series

Pakistan late order pulled a stunning rabbit out of the hat to beat Sri Lanka by 1 wicket in the second T20I match which concluded at R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday night. 

After being 40/5 in the 8th over, Pakistanis staged a brilliant comeback courtesy their skipper Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali and Imad Wasim to complete the treble wins (Test, ODI and T20I) on Lankan soil.

Pakistan, started their chase on a shaky note as they lost their first wicket in the third over with just 11 on board, as opener Ahmed Shehzad was clean bowled by Binura Fernando. Just three balls later Mukhtar Ahmed was sent back to the dug-out by the 6’6 left-arm seamer and dished out the ‘Afridi’ style pose. 

Young Lankans were terrific in the field to run-out the dangerous duo of Mohommad Hafeez and Umar Akmal in quick succession. The visitors were in deep trouble as Shoaib Malik was stumped for a duck by Kusal Perera off Milinda Siriwardana.

Shahid Afridi walked in to a crisis and smashed an inspiring 45 off 22 balls courtesy four maximums and a single boundary. With 66 runs required at two-runs-a-ball run rate, Anwar Ali came and completely took apart the Lankan bowling attack who were struggling with the wet ball.

He did everything that a tail-ender is not supposed to do and hit the likes of Thisara Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya and most importantly one of the best death bowlers in the world, Lasith Malinga, out of the park to steer Pakistan as near as possible to the victory. He scored 46 off 17 balls with four big hits over the rope and three boundaries.

In the end, with six off six required Mohammad Irfan brought Imad Wasim on strike with a single off the first ball and the rest was a ball travelling over the fence at long-on.

Earlier, aggressive batting by debutant Shehan Jayasuriya and the recalled Kapugedera lifted Sri Lanka to 172 for 7 after skipper Lasith Malinga won the toss and elected to bat.

Jayasuriya, a 23-year-old left-hander unrelated to Sri Lanka’s former captain Sanath Jayasuriya, smashed three fours and two sixes in his 32-ball 40.

But it was Kapugedera who boosted the total with an unbeaten 48 off 25 balls that contained four sixes and two boundaries. Kapugedera put on 55 for the sixth wicket with Milinda Siriwardana (23) as the hosts plundered 59 runs in the final five overs.

Malinga, who conceded 40 runs in his four overs, rued his poor form with the ball. “I should have bowled better but I am happy the way some of the younger players have performed. Sri Lanka has a good talent pool to pick from.” the sling-arm fast bowling spearhead said. 

Sri Lanka – 172/7 in 20 overs: Shehan Jayasuriya 40, Milinda Siriwardana 23, Chamara Kapugedara 48*, Shoaib Malik 2/16.

Pakistan – 174/9 in 19.2 overs: Shahid Afridi 45, Anwar Ali 46, Imad Wasim 24*, Binura Fernando 2/33. 

Full Scorecard (Courtesy: BBC Sport)

Sri Lanka Innings—-

Pakistan Innings—-