Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 13 runs, seal T20I series whitewash
LAHORE (92 News) – Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 13 runs to seal the T20I series whitewash at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing the target of 148 runs, Pakistan could score 147 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Haris Sohail hit 52 with the help of four 4s and one six. Babar Azam (27) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (17) were other main contributors.
Gunathilaka and Kumara shared two wickets each, while Madushanka got one wicket.
Earlier batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka scored 147 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Fernando smashed 78 runs off 48 balls with the help of eight fours and three sixes. Perera hit 13. Samarawickrama and Shanaka scored 12 runs each.
Muhammad Amir grabbed three wickets, while Imad Wasim and Wahab Riaz took one wicket each.
Wanindu Hasaranga was declared Man of the Match as well as Man of the Series.
Talking to the media after the match, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka: "It is really a good victory. We should thank the Pakistan people, they supported us, not just Pakistan. It's a big honour. All the players were bonded, that was the key to our success.
"Bonding is the key - they do the right things in the middle. There are no extraordinary players here - they're all equally talented, but the unity was the secret. If we play smart cricket, there's always a possibility to win. The decisions were taken smartly today, each and every one of us."
Sarfraz Ahmed said: “I think we recovered well in the bowling, but we needed another good partnership in the middle. We knew if it gets more than 8-9 per over, it would get tough. We were subdued. We didn't express ourselves throughout this series.
"[Batting order] We've been using this line-up for a while. We just wanted to try out as many players as possible before Australia. We need to work a lot on all three fronts, especially fielding. We can't beat any team if we drop catches like that in the middle overs.”
SCOREBOARD
Gunathilaka and Kumara shared two wickets each, while Madushanka got one wicket.
Earlier batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka scored 147 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Fernando smashed 78 runs off 48 balls with the help of eight fours and three sixes. Perera hit 13. Samarawickrama and Shanaka scored 12 runs each.
Muhammad Amir grabbed three wickets, while Imad Wasim and Wahab Riaz took one wicket each.
Wanindu Hasaranga was declared Man of the Match as well as Man of the Series.
Talking to the media after the match, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka: "It is really a good victory. We should thank the Pakistan people, they supported us, not just Pakistan. It's a big honour. All the players were bonded, that was the key to our success.
"Bonding is the key - they do the right things in the middle. There are no extraordinary players here - they're all equally talented, but the unity was the secret. If we play smart cricket, there's always a possibility to win. The decisions were taken smartly today, each and every one of us."
Sarfraz Ahmed said: “I think we recovered well in the bowling, but we needed another good partnership in the middle. We knew if it gets more than 8-9 per over, it would get tough. We were subdued. We didn't express ourselves throughout this series.
"[Batting order] We've been using this line-up for a while. We just wanted to try out as many players as possible before Australia. We need to work a lot on all three fronts, especially fielding. We can't beat any team if we drop catches like that in the middle overs.”
SCOREBOARD
Sri Lanka Innings
Pakistan Innings
