Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 29 runs

Sri Lanka’s captain Lasith Malinga was the most expensive bowler, giving away 46 runs in his four overs


Afp July 31, 2015
Pakistan T20 cricket captain Shahid Afridi (3-L) and teammates celebrate after victory during the first Twenty20 International cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP

COLOMBO:


Umar Akmal smashed 46 off 24 balls and Sohail Tanvir grabbed three wickets as Pakistan beat top-ranked Sri Lanka by 29 runs in the first Twenty20 international in Colombo on Thursday.


Pakistan piled up 175-5 after electing to bat and then restricted the reigning World Twenty20 champions to 146-7 in the day-night match at the Premadasa stadium.

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 plundered 70 runs in the final six overs to set up the challenging 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.

Sri Lanka’s captain Lasith Malinga was the most expensive bowler, giving away 46 runs in his four overs.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2015. 

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