Friday, June 1, 2012

SL crush Pakistan

A superb bowling performance from Sri Lanka saw them coast to a 37 run victory over Pakistan in a low scoring first T20 international at Hambantota on Friday.
Defending a paltry total of 132, Sri Lanka got off to a dream start with two wickets from the first two balls by Nuwan Kulasekara derailed the Pakistani train from which they never recovered.
Pakistan only managed 95 in 17.4 overs with only Ahmed Shehzad with 36 and Umar Akmal managing to make double figures.
Earlier, Sohail Tanvir grabbed three big wickets as Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to 132-7.
The left-arm paceman jolted Sri Lanka's top order when he dismissed skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara in his opening three overs to reduce the hosts to 31-3.
Tanvir finished with 3-12 off four tight overs, his best performance in Twenty20 internationals. He was superbly backed by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who bagged two wickets for 20 runs.
Thisara Perera top-scored with a 16-ball 32 not out in Sri Lanka's below-par batting display, helping his team make 43 runs off the last 22 balls.
Lahiru Thirimanne, making his T20 debut, was the other main scorer with a 25-ball 30.
Sri Lanka made a poor start after electing to bat, losing four wickets in the opening eight overs with just 39 on the board.
SCORES IN BRIEF
SRI LANKA:
132 for 7 (Sangakkara 19, Thirimanne 30, Perera 32 not out; Tanvir 3-12, Ajmal 2-20)
PAKISTAN: 95 all out (Shehzad 36; Kulasekara 2-13, Malinga 2-12)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 37 runs.
Man-of-the-match: Thisara Perera.

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