[1]Sri Lanka defended a par total with competitive zeal and a clear game plan but Shahid Afridi nearly spoilt the party with an innings of rare quality. Braving severe cramps, Afridi cracked a robust 109 (76 balls, 8x4, 7x6) to keep the game alive before Kumar Sangakkara pulled out an acrobatic catch to cut his innings short.
Lasith Malinga with five wickets and Angelo Matthews — performing creditably with the bat and ball — sealed off a 16-run triumph for the hosts.
Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara made the most of helpful conditions to put Sri Lanka in a position of strength. Chasing 241, the Pakistan top order collapsed in a heap.
Malinga picked up two wickets while Kulasekara put a tight lid on the scoring rate. The first 10 overs fetched just 23 and the next five added a further 24 as the visitors slid to 47/4 at the end of the fielding power plays.
Umar Amin and Shoaib Malik failed and entire weight of the chase fell on Afridi. After promising much the Akmal brothers hit the self-destruct button trying to steal non-existent singles. Tillakaratne Dilshan’s direct hit found Umar short of the crease while skipper Sangakkara’s alertness did Kamran in.
Afridi went berserk against an off colour Farveez Maharoof, picking off two huge sixes. None of the bowlers could create an impact on the batsman.
On a track others struggled to find boundaries, Afridi was precise with his plan. Severe pain and numerous visits by the team doctor did not deter the Pakistan skipper.
Only 36 runs were required in 9.1 overs when he was dismissed. The batting power play was taken with 33 still to be taken in eight overs. Malinga returned to pick up three more scalps and set off wild celebrations in the stands.
Earlier, a dry surface prompted the Lankans to bat first. The strip did not play as well as it looked.
The familiar figures of Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena stitching together an 83-run third wicket stand was the only point of interest for the hosts in the first half.
Falling wickets at regular intervals put the skids before all-rounder Matthews, in a role that he is growing accustomed to, gave the total some respectability.
Much attention was centred on the comeback of speedster Shoaib Akhtar. Generating good pace Akthar pushed openers Upul Tharanga and Dilshan out of their comfort zone.
Unable to cope with the lift, Tharanga duly chased a wide delivery to find the slip fielder. Dilshan was done in by the late swing Mohammed Asif obtained by pitching the ball up.
After the first power play produced 50 runs, the next ten ushered in a mere 34 as Pakistan got a foot in.
It was a tight effort from Pakistan on the field and Afridi led by example. Sangakkara trying to whip Afridi across the line was held smartly by Umar Akmal at mid-wicket. Jayawardena was unlucky to be adjudged leg-before by umpire Billy Doctrove when the ball had clearly hit his glove while attempting a reverse sweep off Malik.
Scores: Sri Lanka 242/9 in 50 overs (Mathews 55 not out, Jayawardene 54; Akhtar 3/41, Aamer 2/57) bt Pakistan 226 in 47 overs (Afridi 109, Umar Akmal 30; Malinga 5/34, Mathews 2/38)
Links:
[1] http://103.241.136.51/sp06162jpg-786