Sri Lanka staged a remarkable comeback to register what was in the end a comfortable 37-run win over Pakistan in the first of two Twenty20s in Hambantota yesterday.
Reduced to 89 for seven in the 17th over, Thisara Perera and Nuwan Kulasekara added 43 off just 20 balls to help their side post a decent 132-run total. Perera made 32 off just 16 balls with fast-bowler Umar Gul being the casualty — his final two overs going for 31.
Sri Lanka bowlers then made a mockery of Pakistan’s revised batting order and the tourists were bundled out for 95 after being reduced to none for two off the opening two deliveries.
Mohammad Hafeez and Shakil Ansar were the two dismissed in identical fashion and the tourists never recovered. Ahmed Shehzad hit 36 and Umar Akmal contributed 12 but despite 19 extras, Pakistan fell short by a big margin.
Perera took the final wicket of Saeed Ajmal and to go with an outstanding catch to get rid of Shoaib Malik, the 23-year-old was fittingly named man of the match.
Lasith Malinga, Kulasekara and Angelo Mathews, who gave just eight runs in four overs, capped a good day with two wickets apiece.
“It was my first match since recovering from the injury so I feel really good,” said Perera. “I’ve been working hard on my fielding and I enjoyed the match today.”
Hafeez eyes comeback
Meanwhile, Hafeez, leading the side for the first time, was left disappointed but vowed a better show on Sunday.
“We had our moments but didn’t capitalise,” said the Pakistan captain. “Perera did really well for his team. We couldn’t put on a good show but we’ll come back hard in the next match. We don’t need to worry too much since it was just one game and we’ll look to do better in the next.”
Jayawardene satisfied
His counterpart, who was seen arguing with the umpires after a catch was not awarded, was a pleased man.
“I thought I caught it [the catch],” said Jayawardene.
“But the umpires thought otherwise. Overall it was a great game and played in the right spirit.
“The pitch was pretty challenging and I thought 140-150 would be a good total. The pitch had something in it for both bowlers and batsmen.
“If we can just keep our consistency we can do well.”
The second and final match of the series will be played tomorrow at the same venue.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2012.
You can view a slideshow of pictures from the match here.
COMMENTS (11)
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What game we play best is always some one to beat us. But in politics no one can? let us play politics only.
How many won games do we have to loose? Our bowling and fielding was decent - where are the batsmen? And Sami kept throwing balls off the off stump to a left hander who knocked him for 4s each time - 3 in a row! And Afridi, you may want to concentrate on your bowling but you are known as Boom Boom. Act like one when needed. All in all a total disappointment from both Pak cricket team and hockey team who finished last in the Azlan Cup. Shame on you all. Thats all I can say. And this new cricket kit is RIDICULOUS! The last one was designed by the fans all over the world - this one with the light green (Pakistan flag is dark green mind you) and the yellow on the behind - looks like they were taking a you know what? PCB = you are fired!!
I agree the resources were not used properly by the captain.Why Afridi was not allowed to complete his quota? Why is Gul so erratic in giving space to the left handed batsmen? Who decided to send inexperienced Shakeel at No3 which normally is the position to stabilize the innings.It appears that little homework went into the preparations for the match.Let us hope they approach the next match with a more professional approach.
It is just a case of nerves and stiff bodies for the Pakistan. More than half of the Sri Lankan side have had outings in the just completed IPL tournament. I hope to see a better show from Pakistan in the next match.
A club team in Pakistan could have played better . Khyber Green Club could have played better
Hafeez has to understand how to use his bowlers, the bowling table for previous game reflects his deficiency in managing, but this was the start lets see how he is approaching for the next Game, Good Luck
Change the kit pls.
What professor ! this guy can't speak proper english
Pakistan has a history of batting woes. Misbah's calmness and approach was the major factor for Pakistan's resurgence in the recent past. People blame him for some defeats due to his defensive batting forgetting 'historical context' and that it brought many victories also. Hope Hafeez would learn and stays for a longer period as there seems no one in the current 20-20 team with a thinking head. Good luck, Hafeez!