Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2013-14
Wisden's review of the second Twenty20 International, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2013-14
15-Apr-2014
At Dubai, December 13, 2013 (floodlit). Sri Lanka won by 24 runs. Toss: Pakistan. Twenty20 international debut: S. Prasanna.
Sri Lanka cut loose from the start to slam 211 for three - the highest Twenty20 total against Pakistan - which was enough to square the series and secure their No. 1 ranking going into 2014. Their hyper-aggressive openers racked up 100 inside 12 overs: Kushal Perera was the more violent, whipping a six from outside off stump over midwicket, while Dilshan's unorthodox placement forced Mohammad Hafeez into constant tinkering. Pakistan's fielding let them down: Perera should have been run out following a mix-up in the first over, but the throw came in too wide for Umar Akmal, and Hafeez was furious with youngsters Sharjeel Khan and Umar Amin, who twice collided trying to stop runs off his bowling. Pakistan's experimental side were undaunted by attempting the highest run-chase in the format, despite a slippery ball. Sharjeel batted with brutal efficiency for his maiden international fifty, and Shahid Afridi whacked 28 before Sangakkara, having overrun the swirling ball, corrected himself and took a stunning one-handed catch. But Pakistan's longest innings turned out to be Sohail Tanvir's late flurry, which produced a Twenty20-international record 63 with Saeed Ajmal for the ninth wicket.
Man of the Match: M. D. K. J. Perera. Man of the Series: Shahid Afridi.
Sri Lanka cut loose from the start to slam 211 for three - the highest Twenty20 total against Pakistan - which was enough to square the series and secure their No. 1 ranking going into 2014. Their hyper-aggressive openers racked up 100 inside 12 overs: Kushal Perera was the more violent, whipping a six from outside off stump over midwicket, while Dilshan's unorthodox placement forced Mohammad Hafeez into constant tinkering. Pakistan's fielding let them down: Perera should have been run out following a mix-up in the first over, but the throw came in too wide for Umar Akmal, and Hafeez was furious with youngsters Sharjeel Khan and Umar Amin, who twice collided trying to stop runs off his bowling. Pakistan's experimental side were undaunted by attempting the highest run-chase in the format, despite a slippery ball. Sharjeel batted with brutal efficiency for his maiden international fifty, and Shahid Afridi whacked 28 before Sangakkara, having overrun the swirling ball, corrected himself and took a stunning one-handed catch. But Pakistan's longest innings turned out to be Sohail Tanvir's late flurry, which produced a Twenty20-international record 63 with Saeed Ajmal for the ninth wicket.
Man of the Match: M. D. K. J. Perera. Man of the Series: Shahid Afridi.