Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2013-14
Wisden's review of 1st Twenty20 International, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2013-14
15-Apr-2014
At Dubai, December 11, 2013 (floodlit). Pakistan won by three wickets. Toss: Pakistan. Twenty20
international debut: Usman Khan.
Shahid Afridi cast aside sketchy form to see Pakistan over the line. Entering with 50 needed off 35 balls, he first rotated the strike, then opened up with a pair of sixes off Kulasekara in the 16th over to light up the chase. A typically mean penultimate over from Malinga took it down to the last, but Afridi paddle-swept Kulasekara's first ball into the stands at long leg to secure victory. He became the first man to combine 1,000 runs and 50 wickets in Twenty20 internationals. Mohammad Hafeez's hunch that evening dew would hamper the side fielding second proved spot on, as Sri Lanka - despite a stupendous groping catch at short cover by Thirimanne, who plucked the ball one-handed when it had gone past his head - made several slip-ups. Pakistan, aside from one wild Bilawal Bhatti over punished by Mathews, had clamped down on every Sri Lankan surge. Chandimal did not make the most of his promotion to No. 3 in Mahela Jayawardene's absence, and Sangakkara mistimed to cover, giving Saeed Ajmal his 400th international wicket. The match began with a moment's silence for Nelson Mandela.
Man of the Match: Shahid Afridi.
Shahid Afridi cast aside sketchy form to see Pakistan over the line. Entering with 50 needed off 35 balls, he first rotated the strike, then opened up with a pair of sixes off Kulasekara in the 16th over to light up the chase. A typically mean penultimate over from Malinga took it down to the last, but Afridi paddle-swept Kulasekara's first ball into the stands at long leg to secure victory. He became the first man to combine 1,000 runs and 50 wickets in Twenty20 internationals. Mohammad Hafeez's hunch that evening dew would hamper the side fielding second proved spot on, as Sri Lanka - despite a stupendous groping catch at short cover by Thirimanne, who plucked the ball one-handed when it had gone past his head - made several slip-ups. Pakistan, aside from one wild Bilawal Bhatti over punished by Mathews, had clamped down on every Sri Lankan surge. Chandimal did not make the most of his promotion to No. 3 in Mahela Jayawardene's absence, and Sangakkara mistimed to cover, giving Saeed Ajmal his 400th international wicket. The match began with a moment's silence for Nelson Mandela.
Man of the Match: Shahid Afridi.