Desk Report:
The target was 134 runs. Even while chasing this modest target, the Pakistan cricket team had to play up to 18 overs. When Mohammad Nawaz hit a six off bowler Dushmant Chamira’s ball to confirm Pakistan’s victory, the two batsmen at the crease looked up at the sky; a look of relief came to their faces.
However, Pakistan had a great start in chasing the target. They had scored 43 runs in the fifth over without losing a wicket. The way Sahibzada Farhan (24) and Fakhar Zaman (17) were batting, it seemed that Pakistan would not have to play many overs in chasing the target. But then a mini twist took place in Pakistan’s innings; from 45 without a wicket, the team’s score was 57 for 4. Pakistan lost 4 wickets between 45 and 57—these 12 runs. Apart from the two openers, these four wickets included Pakistan’s two batting stalwarts, Sayem Ayub (2) and captain Salman Agha (5).
Before overcoming this setback, Mohammad Haris (13) was out. At that time, the Sri Lankan camp was very excited. However, Nawaz and Hussain Talat put on an unbroken partnership of 58 runs off 41 balls for the sixth wicket, and Pakistan won by 5 wickets with 12 balls in hand. Nawaz scored 38 not out off 24 balls. Talat scored 32* off 30 balls. Mahish Thikshana and Wanindu Hasaranga took 2 wickets each.
Earlier, Sri Lanka batted first at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and scored 133 runs for 8 wickets with Kamindu Mendis’ fifty.
The innings did not start well for Sri Lanka. They lost their two openers Kusal Mendis (0) and Patum Nishanka (8) for 18 runs. Before this pair could overcome the setback, Kusal Perera (15) was dismissed for 43 runs. But the worst of the innings came after that. The Sri Lankans lost 5 wickets for 58 runs. Only Kamindu Mendis could not stand up to Pakistan’s controlled bowling. Batting at number five, Kamindu scored 50 runs in 44 balls. His innings was studded with 3 fours and 2 sixes.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was the most successful with the ball. This Pakistani pacer took 3 wickets for 28 runs. Haris Rauf and Hussain Talat took 2 wickets each.
