HAMBANTOTA: Shahid Afridi's superb all-round performance helped Pakistan post an easy 23-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second and final Twenty20 international and level the series 1-1.
Sri Lanka were shot out for 99 as they collapsed, their lowest T20 total against Pakistan, after restricting the tourists to 122-6 in Hambantota.
Man-of-the-match Afridi was the star in a low-scoring match, hammering a 33-ball 52 not out and then grabbing two wickets for 17 runs in his four disciplined overs.
Afridi, who becomes the first player to appear in 50 T20 internationals, hit one six and five fours in his fourth half-century.
"It was a great team effort and everybody played his role. The partnership between Shoaib Malik and Afridi was crucial for us," said Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez.
Pacemen Mohammad Sami and Yasir Arafat also impressed as they took three wickets apiece to keep pressure on Sri Lanka, who rested skipper Mahela Jayawardene and fast bowler Lasith Malinga.
Middle-order batsman Chamara Kapugedera top-scored with 19 in a dismal Sri Lankan batting display.
Sri Lanka, who won the opening match by 37 runs on Friday, were 76-4 at one stage before losing their last six wickets for 23 runs.
"We were brilliant in the field but then lost our way in the middle," said stand-in Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews.
Pakistan were earlier struggling at 41-4 before Afridi steadied the innings with a 68-run stand for the fifth wicket with Malik, who hit three successive fours off leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi in his 26-ball 27.
Lokuarachchi bagged two of the first four wickets as Pakistan struggled, removing Hafeez (24) and Umar Akmal (five) in his four-over spell.
Paceman Nuwan Kulasekera was the most impressive bowler, finishing with 2-13 off four tight overs.
Sri Lanka brought in Isuru Udana and Kapugedera in place of Jayawardene and Malinga. Pakistan made one change, replacing Umar Gul with Arafat.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan will now play a five-match one-day series, starting in Pallekele on Thursday.
COMMENTS (34)
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Afridi you are the best:)
I love you Shahid Afridi you are the best all rounders in the world. I just really wanted to be a cricketer like you and still love you for your fantastic bowling and amazing batting. Its good that Pakistan level series against Srilanka
I really love you Afridi... You are awesome and blessing for Pakistan cricket team.. Outclass performance in T - 20...Lovely ;) ;:)
@fernando:
Match fixing argument is the sole copyright of Pak fans because:
---When Pak loses it is always due to match fixing.
---When they win, it is because of their great cricketers.
@antanu: Forget about these people just enjoy your win.
The way we went down in first T-20, I thought players are not co-operating with Hafeez and again politics has overtaken this game which is watched and loved by billions all around the world. It has proved wrong. Mr. Shahid Afridi's machinery worked when it was most needed. Sami was also good with his speed power. Good comeback by our team so congrats to the Captain, players, coach and .........myself.
On his day he is always a match winner
@fernando: U r wrong. Both teams gave all they had. Pakistan didn't play gul so what is fuss. SL is a good team and everyone makes mistakes. I am impressed with their players they have tenacity and never give up. Today it was a Pakistan day and they simply bowled extremely well sri lank was in the game until 16th over when Sami came until then it was a fifty fifty. Today Sami was like Waseem Akram smoking. Don't waste their effort. It is just a game someone has to win.
where is afridi haters...dont tell me its after long time you probably recall the last pakistan victory 1st
Another fluke by way of Afridi!
Hate is very strong word. Nobody hates a cricketer or a player who has served the country for a long time. In return the country has given him everything and rewarded handsomely. However the public does have a right for criticism not the blind following. Even Imran Khan who had a much better record in every sense of the word was criticized and nobody reacted against that. It should not be a cult or sacrilegious. Afridi is still a good bowling all-rounder as long as he keeps his game do the talking. This inning would give him some of his confidence back.
Cricket is not cricket without Shahid Afridi. Michael Holding. NuF said!!
On a different note, Sami bowled well.
Lala G Cha gae o tussi!
Congratulations everyone!
Good game..! and last catch was mind blowing :) We love you Afridi
@Blithe: these are few comments, so when i say people hate him, believe me they do. Afridi haters on Facebook
Lala rocked today... @Blithe.. by Afridi haters he meant Indians, after all their strength on ET is more than us... :D
100 % fixed match...looks like SL Board wants to be in good books of Pakistan for some reason.....
1.) For some reason, Jayawardene and Malinga did not play. Why ????
2.) Sangakara tried his best to run out Dilshan...even Dilshan gave up to reach crease....but fielder could not hit the stumps. And then he played a horrible shot to gift his wicket.
3.) They sent Kulasekara at no 3 !!! And he wanted to get out from first ball !!
4.) They deliberately allowed Pak to post a decent total by allowing them to hit...
If these don't convince people, I don't know what more proof one will need....
Afridi always surprise us
Afridi is one of the most talented and endowed all-rounder player in pakistan cricket team and he should have been superseded on hafiz to be selected as pakistan team captain but anyhow brilliant enactment.
@the name of the game: Hates? Nobody hates him .. Just constructive criticism when necessary... So no troll type messages, please.
Good captaining by Hafeez ... but still not satisfied with the batting line-up.... Too brittle a batting line up. I think it needs more. I think an Imran nazir is needed... Later, an Adul Razzaq/ Hammad Azam perhaps.. In the middle a Misbah/ Younis (to add stability)...
Whats up with Kamran Akmal??? Is he in good batting form these days??? Perhaps we need him back ( only on the basis that there is no questions regards his ethics ).
Lala almost gathered 3500$ today while the whole team erned 2000$.
After all professor is skipper. Afridi, you are a player and u have slapped those who criticize you. Good work boy
A better kit
@ the name of the game, Don't worry about Afridi haters, enjoy this moment. It has come after a very long time.
oh and keep winning team Pakistan \m/
where are you hiding afiridi haters? speak up ^_^
And they lost ha ha ha ha.........
Good news is that Afridi has batted well after a very long time.