Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2015
Wisden's review of the second Twenty20 International, Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2015
15-Apr-2016
At Colombo (RPS), August 1, 2015 (floodlit). Pakistan won by one wicket. Toss: Sri Lanka. Twenty20 international debuts: D. S. N. F. G. Jayasuriya, M. D. Shanaka.
Sri Lanka looked set to square the series when Pakistan dipped to 107 for seven in the 15th over - itself something of a recovery from 40 for five, as Shahid Afridi belted four sixes in his 45. But the inexperience of a home side with six men playing their first or second 20-over international proved crucial: Anwar Ali, down at No. 9, brought the chase to life with two sixes and a four from the debutant off-spinner Shehan Jayasuriya in the 17th over, before treating Tissara Perera and Malinga with similar disdain to take Pakistan to within eight of victory. Malinga did then dismiss Anwar, for 46 from 17 balls, but Imad Wasim had enough in the tank to get them over the line. His six off Binura Fernando sealed only the third one-wicket win in T20 internationals, after England's over Australia at Adelaide in 2010-11, and the Netherlands against Bangladesh in The Hague in 2012. The victory triggered great delight among the tourists, who had now won all three series. Earlier, Kapugedera had also walloped four sixes to propel Sri Lanka to an imposing total.
Man of the Match: Anwar Ali.
Sri Lanka looked set to square the series when Pakistan dipped to 107 for seven in the 15th over - itself something of a recovery from 40 for five, as Shahid Afridi belted four sixes in his 45. But the inexperience of a home side with six men playing their first or second 20-over international proved crucial: Anwar Ali, down at No. 9, brought the chase to life with two sixes and a four from the debutant off-spinner Shehan Jayasuriya in the 17th over, before treating Tissara Perera and Malinga with similar disdain to take Pakistan to within eight of victory. Malinga did then dismiss Anwar, for 46 from 17 balls, but Imad Wasim had enough in the tank to get them over the line. His six off Binura Fernando sealed only the third one-wicket win in T20 internationals, after England's over Australia at Adelaide in 2010-11, and the Netherlands against Bangladesh in The Hague in 2012. The victory triggered great delight among the tourists, who had now won all three series. Earlier, Kapugedera had also walloped four sixes to propel Sri Lanka to an imposing total.
Man of the Match: Anwar Ali.