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28 March 2024

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20 in Dubai: Sri Lanka win to retain No.1 ranking

Published
By Cricket Correspondent

Sri Lanka produced a superb all-round effort to beat Pakistan by 24 runs in a high-scoring Twenty20 international at Dubai Sports City cricket stadium on Friday night.

Chasing an imposing target of 212, Pakistan fell short by 24 runs despite a valiant effort by Tanvir (41) and Ajmal (20) who shared a record ninth wicket stand of 63.

Pakistan were almost down and out after being reduced to 85-7 before a cameo from Afridi (28) kept alive their hopes.

Sri Lanka held their nerve to retain their No.1 rank in the shortest format of the game and square the two-match series for the Cool&Cool Cup to win with four balls to spare.

"We are over the moon to keep our No. 1 ranking," said a delighted Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal.  

Having lost the first game of the tour with a rather listless performance, Sri Lanka bounced back with a powerpacked batting display to post their third highest T20I total of 211-3 after being put into bat.

Their innings was powered by a spectacular half century from Kusal Perera (84), Dilshan's 33-ball 48, a brilliant eight-ball cameo of 21 from debutant Prasanna and a classy unbeaten 44 off 21 balls from Sangakkara.

"It was a very crucial game for us. They were bowling well so I took calculated risks in the first six overs, before rotating the strike," said Kusal after receiving the man of the match award.

"We made the right decision to bowl first but we didn't bowl in the right areas early on, and they got a score higher than what we expected," said Pakistan skipper Mohammed Hafeez.

Pakistan floundered when they began the run chase losing both openers Shehzad and Hafeez cheaply.

Sharjeel Khan (50) and Sohaib Maqsood (15) briefly put the innings back on track with a promising partnership for the third wicket.

But Maqsood's dismissal triggered a spectacular collapse which saw Pakistan lose five wickets within the space of two overs to slump to 85-7.

Afridi lifted Pakistan's hopes smashing two boundaries and two sixes in his 13-ball 28 before wicket keeper Sangakkara held a stunning catch at the beginning of the 14th over.

The flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder was named man of the series following his matchwinning performance in the first match.

Pakistan found an unlikely batting hero to keep alive their faint hopes of victory in Tanvir who blasted five boundaries and a six in his 26-ball 41 before falling in the 19th over during the record ninth wicket stand with Ajmal.

Senanayake, who was on a hat-trick at one stage, returned best figures of 4-0-27-3 while Kulasekera, Prasanna and Thisara claimed two wickets apiece.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

Sri Lanka win by 24 runs as Kulasekera traps Ajmal leg before to bowl out Pakistan for 187 in 19.2 overs.

Saeed Ajmal lbw b Kulasekara 20 (15b 1x4 1x6)

Pakistan need 27 off the last over with the last pair in.

Malinga bowls an excellent over and gets the wicket of Tanvir who flicks to Prasanna. Pak 184-9 in 18.4 overs.

Sohail Tanvir c Prasanna b Malinga 41 (26b 5x4 1x6)

Ajmal gets into the act smashing a massive six off a slower ball from Thisara as Pakistan need 29 from 12 balls. Pak 183-8 in 18 overs.

Malinga goes for 20 in the 17th over with Tanvir smashing three boundaries. Pak 171-8 in 17 overs require 41 from 18 balls.

Kulasekera bowls a tight over conceding just five runs. Pak 151-8 in 16 overs require 61 from 24 balls.

Senanayake completes an excellent spell returning figures of 4-0-27-3.

Tanvir keeps alive Pakistan's faint hopes slamming a flat six off Senanayake. Pak 146-8 in 15 overs require 66 from 30 balls.

Thisara goes for 14 despite taking the wicket of Afridi with Tanvir getting a couple of boundaries and Ajmal one. Pak 135-8 in 14 overs.

Sangakkara take a skier from Afridi to shatter Pakistan's hopes. Pak 121-8 in 13.1 overs.

Shahid Afridi c Sangakkara b Thisara Perera 28 (13b 2x4 2x6)

Pakistan are still battling on requiring 91 from 42 balls. Pak 121-7 in 13 overs.

Pakistan need 96 from 48 balls and Sri Lanka bring Malinga back into the attack.

Big over for Pakistan as Prasanna goes for 25 with Afridi blasting two sixes and a boundary. Pak 116-7 in 12 overs.

Afridi skips down and slams a boundary off Senanayake. Pak 91-7 in 11 overs.

Tanvir averts the hat-trick ball from Senanayake by getting a single.

Senanayake is on a hat-trick as Bhatti is out stumped. Pak 85-7 in 10.3 overs.    

Bilawal Bhatti st Sangakkara b Senanayake 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Chandimal takes another good catch at mid on as Amin also goes for a duck. Pak 85-6in 10.2 overs.    

Umar Amin c Chandimal b Senanayake 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Debutant Prasanna strikes twice in his second over as Amal is bowled for a golden duck. Pak 84-5 in 10 overs.

Umar Akmal b Prasanna 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Prasanna has the last laugh bowling left-hander Sharjeel around his legs missing a full toss. Pak 83-4 in 9.3 overs.    

Sharjeel Khan b Prasanna 50 (25b 5x4 3x6)

Sharjeel smashes consecutive sixes off Prasanna to hit his maiden T20I half century off just 24 balls.

Sharjeel continues unfazed pulling Thisara for consecutive boundaries to backward square leg. Pak 71-3 in 9 overs.

Maqsood is undone by the change of pace from Thisara who strikes with his third delivery with Chandimal taking a skier. Pak 62-3 in 8.3 overs.

Sohaib Maqsood c Chandimal b Thisara Perera 15 (16b 2x4 0x6)

Maqsood makes his intentions clear using his feet to punch Prasanna back over his for a boundary. Pak 60-2 in 8 overs.

Dilshan goes for 13 with Maqsood cracking a boundary and Sharjeel smashing a six over midwicket. Pak 53-2 in 7 overs.

Sharjeel cracks consecutive boundaries through point and third man off Mathews as Pakistan make 40-2 after 6 overs.

Pakistan are stunned as Kulasekera removes skipper Hafeez who fishes outside off to give a faint nick behind to Sangakkara. Pak 27-2 in 4 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez c Sangakkara b Kulasekara 7 (7b 1x4 0x6)

Senanayake draws first blood with his third delivery as Shehzad sweeps to the square leg fielder after having cracked him through the covers for a boundry off the previous ball. Pak 18-1 in 2.3 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad c sub (Vithanage) b Senanayake 8 (10b 1x4 0x6)

Kulasekera goes for 10 in his first over with Sharjeel smashing a full toss back past the bowler to the fence. Pak 14-0 in 2 overs.

Malinga bowls a good opening over as Pakistan manage just four runs chasing 212.

Sri Lanka powered by a brilliant half century from Kusal Perera (84) smashed a ground record 211-3 in the second Twenty20 international against Pakistan at Dubai Sports City's cricket stadium on Friday night.

The young left-hander entertained the packed crowd by smashing five boundaries and four sixes during his 59-ball 84 before being run out off the last ball of the innings.

Dilshan hit an equally belligerent 48 off 33 balls cracking eight boundaries sharing in a record 100-run opening stand in 12 overs to give Sri Lanka a flying start after being sent into bat.

Debutant Prasanna played a wonderful eight-ball cameo of 21 clubbing two sixes and two boundaries.

Sangakkara continued the momentum with an elegant unbeaten knock of 44 off 21 balls stroking four boundaries and two sixes as Sri Lanka made 111 off the last eight overs.

Ajmal who became the second Pakistan bowler to claim 100 international wickets in a calendar year finished with figures of two for 25.

Usman Khan went for 52 in his four overs while Afridi conceded 25 in two.

SRI LANKA INNINGS

Kusal Perera is run out off the last as Sri Lanka make 211-3 in their 20 overs.

Kusal Perera run out 84 (59b 5x4 4x6)

Kusal turns it on with consecutive sixes off Bhatti with a flick to backward square leg and straight down the ground. SL 198-2 in 19 overs.

Tanvir manages to prevent Sri Lanka from getting boundaries. SL 180-2 in 18 overs.

Sri Lanka get another couple of boundaries of Usman. SL 171-2 in 17 overs.

Ajmal finishes with figures of 4-0-25-2.

Sangakkara shows why he is ICC's ODI cricket of the year slamming Ajmal's final delivery for a straight six. SL 160-2 in 16 overs.

Sangakkara gets into his stride quickly slamming a couple of boundaries off Bhatti to maintain the momentum. SL 149-2 in 15 overs.

Ajmal claims his 100th international wicket of the year as Prasanna holes out to Usman in the deep. SL 133-2 in 13.5 overs.

Seekkuge Prasanna c Usman Khan b Saeed Ajmal 21 (8b 2x4 2x6)

Hafeez completes his spell with figures of 4-0-45-0.

Hafeez goes for 24 with Prasanna blasting a boundaries followed by two consecutive sixes. SL 124-1 in 13 overs.

Sri Lanka spring a surprise by sending out big hitting debutant Prasanna after Dilshan's dismissal.

Pakistan get a breakthrough Dilshan falls short of a half century attempting to reverse sweep Ajmal only for Amin to take a good catch in the deep. SL 110-1 in 12 overs.

TM Dilshan c Umar Amin b Saeed Ajmal 48 (52m 33b 8x4 0x6)

Kusal completes his third T20 half century off 39 balls.

Dilshan and Kusal are on fire posting Sri Lanka's best opening partnership in T20I against Pakistan. SL 98-0 in 11 overs.

Afridi gets a taste of his own medicine going for 17 as Kusal takes him on hammering two boundaries and a six off consecutive balls. SL 90-0 in 10 overs.

Dilshan swings a full toss from Hafeez to backward square leg boundary. SL 73-0 in 9 overs.

Dilshan gets a streaky boundary off Afridi edging one through keeper Akmal. SL 63-0 in 8 overs.

Dilshan survives a good shout for a leg before off Hafeez being beaten by the spin. SL 55-0 in 7 overs.

Ajmal brings some sanity to the innings conceding just three runs. SL 52-0 in 6 overs.

Bhatti comes into the attack but is taken apart by Dilshan hammering four boundaries beginning with a trademark scoop over the keeper. SL 49-0 in 5 overs.

Kusal cracks Tanvir through the covers for a boundary after taking a body blow. SL 33-0 in 4 overs.

Usman has gone for 24 in his two overs with Dilshan hammering a couple of boundaries, including a delightful straight drive. SL 27-0 in 3 overs.

Dilshan hits his first boundary scooping Usman over short fine leg and survives a confident appeal for a catch behind attempting a similar shot next ball.

Tanvir bowls an excellent opening over conceding just three runs. SL 16-0 in 2 overs.

Kusal survives being run out after being sent back by Dilshan after having almost completed a single. SL 12-0 in 1 over.

Kusal Perera gives Sri Lanka a rollicking start opening his account with a six over extra cover followed by a boundary off Usman Khan.

Usman Khan to open the attack with Kusal Perera on strike.

Former New Zealand all-rounder Danny Morrison feels 160 will be a good total on this pitch considering the dew factor.

Pakistan have won the toss and put Sri Lanka into bat once again in the second Twenty20 international at Dubai Sports City cricket stadium on Friday.

Pakistan lead the series 1-0 after winning the first match on Wednesday by three wickets thanks to a sizzling knock from dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

Pakistan are unchanged while Sri Lanka have left out Ajantha Mendis handing a debut to Seekkuge Prasanna.

PLAYING XI

Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Amin, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Bilawal Bhatti, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal, Usman Khan
   
Sri Lanka: TM Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Seekkuge Prasanna