Akmal guides Pak to victory
Mirpur, Mar 4, 2016 : DHNS:
Pakistan batting finally came together to carry the side to six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the dead rubber of the Asia Cup T20 tournament at Sher-e-Bangla National stadium on Wednesday.
Both the teams -- out of the tournament -- flourished on the batting strip but it was Pakistan who came on top while chasing Sri Lanka’s 150/4. For the Lankans, Tillakaratne Dilshan (75 n.o) and Dinesh Chandimal (58) stroked blistering half centuries before late strikes from Pakistan slowed their march.
In the reply, Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez and Sharjeel Khan got off to a brisk start. And though Sri Lanka had reduced them to 94/3 by the 13th over, Umar Akmal (48) and Shoaib Malik ensured they cross the finishing line without further hiccups. Akmal, however, got out when Pakistan needed one run to win, and it was Malik who then closed the chase.
Put in to bat, Sri Lanka without injured Angelo Mathews had Chandimal (58) leading from the front. He along with Dilshan stitched a century opening stand of 110. Pakistan, however, fought back in the last five overs by plucking four quick wickets, beginning with Chandimal.
Pakistan also made it easier for them with their sloppy fielding led by Mohammad Irfan, who dropped Dilshan twice.
Dilshan was given a reprieve in the fifth over when his top edge off Shahid Afridi was muffed up by Irfan at short fine leg. Dilshan, who had struggled with form all through the series, made the most of it. He and Chandimal, after a cautious start, went after the Pakistani bowling as even Mohammad Amir ended up leaking runs.
Wahab Riaz got Pakistan the breakthrough when Chandimal’s whack off his short delivery terminated in mid-wicket before Irfan bowled out Chamara Kapugedera and Dasun Shanaka bowled within two deliveries. It pegged back Sri Lanka despite Dilshan’s stay till the end.
DH News Service
Both the teams -- out of the tournament -- flourished on the batting strip but it was Pakistan who came on top while chasing Sri Lanka’s 150/4. For the Lankans, Tillakaratne Dilshan (75 n.o) and Dinesh Chandimal (58) stroked blistering half centuries before late strikes from Pakistan slowed their march.
In the reply, Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez and Sharjeel Khan got off to a brisk start. And though Sri Lanka had reduced them to 94/3 by the 13th over, Umar Akmal (48) and Shoaib Malik ensured they cross the finishing line without further hiccups. Akmal, however, got out when Pakistan needed one run to win, and it was Malik who then closed the chase.
Put in to bat, Sri Lanka without injured Angelo Mathews had Chandimal (58) leading from the front. He along with Dilshan stitched a century opening stand of 110. Pakistan, however, fought back in the last five overs by plucking four quick wickets, beginning with Chandimal.
Pakistan also made it easier for them with their sloppy fielding led by Mohammad Irfan, who dropped Dilshan twice.
Dilshan was given a reprieve in the fifth over when his top edge off Shahid Afridi was muffed up by Irfan at short fine leg. Dilshan, who had struggled with form all through the series, made the most of it. He and Chandimal, after a cautious start, went after the Pakistani bowling as even Mohammad Amir ended up leaking runs.
Wahab Riaz got Pakistan the breakthrough when Chandimal’s whack off his short delivery terminated in mid-wicket before Irfan bowled out Chamara Kapugedera and Dasun Shanaka bowled within two deliveries. It pegged back Sri Lanka despite Dilshan’s stay till the end.
DH News Service
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