Sri Lanka register 25 runs victory over Pakistan to level series

Dubai: Sri Lanka produced a spirited display to stage a brilliant comeback and record a morale boosting 25 runs victory over Pakistan in the second One-day at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to level the five match series 1-1.

After posting a challenging total of 235 for 7 through fighting half centuries from Upul Tharanga (77) and Mahela Jayawardene (50), Sri Lankan bowlers restricted the strong Pakistan batting line up to 210 in 46.3 overs to set the stage for an exciting third One-day match on Friday.  Pakistan’s Umar Akmal’s brilliant  knock of 91 runs off 102 balls with eight boundaries and a six went in vain.

Sri Lanka’s deadly pacer Lasith Malinga, well known for his unplayable opening spells, displayed it here to launch Pakistan’s batting collapse and returned with figures of 3 for 36. With the third ball of his first over Malinga forced opener Mohammad Hafeez to edge to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara and two balls later he made Younus Khan too commit the same mistake. Young pacer Thisara Perera too trapped Imran Farhat leg before. Pakistan skipper Misbah Ul Haq and Umar Akmal put on 64 runs in 16.2 overs but Dilhara Fernando broke the partnership by trapping Haq for 21. To make matters worse, Abdul Razzaq was brilliantly run out by a Perera throw from long on. Half the side back in the pavilion for 102 runs, Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed quickly settled and put on 62 runs in just 11.3 overs. Akmal after cracking three consecutive boundaries off Fernando hit the fourth straight into the hands of Dinesh Chandimal at mid on for 91.

Malinga who was introduced for his second spell trapped Ahmed leg before for 24. All eyes fell on Shahid Afridi with Pakistan needing 72 runs in 11 overs. He hit Sekkuge Prasanna over long off for a six with his Boom Boom sticker fixed bat but was brilliantly run out by Dilshan from backward point for 29 runs to end Pakistan’s challenge.

The match began with the spotlight on the Sri Lankan batting as to whether they will overcome their batting defect which had repeatedly pulled them down in the tour. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka began with a lot of promise through an opening partnership of 56 runs between skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan and Tharanga.

It was Dilshan and Tharanga’s 19th half century partnership in the 45 innings they have played together. Twenty-six-year-old left handed Tharanga hit his 20th half century.

This batsman, who has a natural flair to destroy any attack with former Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya had proved to be a destructive pair. Unfortunately, Jayasuriya who had retired was seated in the commentator’s box while Tharanga was searching for a partner. He finally got good support from Jayawardene. Together they put on 85 runs in 14.5 overs to help Sri Lanka post a total of just above the 200 run mark.

Once again the stadium roared in applause to welcome their hero Shahid Afridi who bowled the 11th over of the match. Before the applause welcoming him died down he produced his magic. With the second ball of his first over he made Dilshan cut his delivery which was pitched on the off stump and slid straight through to hit the stumps.

It was a sad end to a promising start from Dilshan who hit 28 runs from 40 balls and was set to open his shots.

Many expected Kumar Sangakkara to capitalise on the good start but he lasted just 13 balls. Abdul Razzaq the veteran of many Pakistan’s battles forced Sangakkara to push forward a bit too early and earned an easy return catch.