RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by six runs after a thrilling competition that continued till the last over in an exciting match of the tri-nation T20 series.
The national team was restricted to 178 runs for 7 wickets while chasing 185 runs. The match was decided in the last over when Dushmantha Chimera showed brilliant bowling and prevented Pakistan from scoring the required 10 runs. National captain Salman Ali Agha’s innings of 63 runs could not bring the team victory. Usman Khan was the second leading batter with 33 runs, while Saim Ayub and Muhammad Nawaz contributed 27 runs each.
Babar Azam was out without opening his account, and Sahibzada Farhan was out for 9 runs. For Sri Lanka, Chimera bowled devastatingly and took 4 wickets, while Ishan Malinga took two wickets. Earlier, Sri Lanka, batting first after the toss, scored 184 runs for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Kamil Mishara’s impressive innings of 76 runs formed the basis of Sri Lanka’s score, which included six fours and three sixes.
Kosil Mendis scored 40 runs while Janth Liange was not out on 24 runs. Captain Dasan Shanaka was run out for 17 runs. For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed took two wickets, while Salman Mirza and Saim Ayub took one wicket each. Two changes were made to the national team squad, with spinners Usman Tariq and Naseem Shah rested, while fast bowlers Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed have been re-inducted into the final XI.
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