Kusal's first attempt falls short
ThePapareNews article
Pakistan's players secured a four-wicket win in the opening match of the three-match T20 International series between the touring Sri Lankan side and hosts Pakistan, played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on the 9th.
Sri Lanka squad
Kusal Mendis (captain and wicketkeeper), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga and Nuwan Thushara.
Pakistan squad
Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Imran, Razaullah, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka, who batted first, made a poor start to their innings. Captain Kusal Mendis, one half of the opening pair, was restricted to a single run, while Kamil Mishara could manage only 6 runs in this match.
Sri Lanka were on 18 when those 2 wickets fell, but opener Lahiru Udara, who remained at the crease, then joined Kamindu Mendis to add 60 runs in 37 balls for the third wicket.
That partnership was broken when Kamindu Mendis was dismissed off the 18th ball he faced, having made 23 runs with 4 fours.
Three balls after his dismissal, Sahan Arachchige too was dismissed, having scored just a single. At that point Sri Lanka were 4 wickets down for 83 runs.
The innings was revived when Lahiru Udara and Dasun Shanaka came together to add 57 runs in 34 balls for the fifth wicket. That partnership was broken when Dasun Shanaka was dismissed for 18, facing 15 balls and striking 2 sixes.
Lahiru Udara fell as the seventh wicket of the innings, having faced 55 balls for 91 runs with 11 fours and a six — the best innings of his 5-match T20 International career.
In addition to them, Dunith Wellalage (5) and Maheesh Theekshana (1) were dismissed with low scores, while at the end of the innings Dushmantha Chameera remained unbeaten on 6 runs and Eshan Malinga unbeaten on a single.
With the ball, Naseem Shah recorded the best bowling figures of the innings with 3 wickets for 36 runs, while Mohammad Imran claimed two wickets and Saim Ayub, Razaullah and Shadab Khan took one each.
Pakistan's players made a rapid start in reply. They ended their first 6 powerplay overs on 70 runs for the loss of just one wicket.
Captain Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, who opened that innings, added 54 runs in 31 balls for the first wicket.
That partnership was broken by Fakhar Zaman's dismissal. He had faced 13 balls for 21 runs with 4 fours.
After that stand, Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat again kept Pakistan's innings moving at an attacking pace. The pair added 92 runs in 52 balls.
That partnership was broken when Maaz Sadaqat was dismissed for 50 off 29 balls with 3 sixes and 4 fours — his maiden T20 half-century.
Sahibzada Farhan fell as the fifth wicket of the innings, having faced 53 balls for 89 runs with 10 fours and 4 sixes. It was the 11th half-century of his T20 International career.
Besides those innings in Pakistan's winning effort, Khawaja Nafay was unbeaten on 12 runs off 7 balls with a six when the match ended.
With the ball, Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets each, while Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera shared one apiece.
By taking the wicket of Hasan Nawaz in this match, Dushmantha Chameera recorded the 100th wicket of his T20 International career.
Match scorecard in brief
Sri Lanka – 182 for 8 (20.0) Lahiru Udara 91, Kamindu Mendis 23, Naseem Shah 3/36, Mohammad Imran 2/21
Pakistan – 187 for 6 (18.5) Sahibzada Farhan 89, Fakhar Zaman 21, Maaz Sadaqat 50, Eshan Malinga 2/33, Maheesh Theekshana 2/36
Pakistan won by 4 wickets.
Player of the Match – Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)
The second T20 International between the two nations is scheduled to be played at the same venue on the 11th of this month.
All the action from Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan can be enjoyed on ThePapare 1 and 1 HD (Dialog TV Ch. 62 and 126) and via the Dialog Play App.
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Based on ThePapare reporting