Sri Lanka begin final run to T20 World Cup on sorry note

• Lose to Pakistan by six wickets

Sa’adi Thawfeeq reporting from Dambulla

Sri Lanka began their final preparations for the T20 World Cup next month on a sorry note when Pakistan beat them by six wickets in the first T20I to go one one-up in the three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

It was a commanding all-round performance by Pakistan as they executed their plans with clinical precision. From winning the toss to closing out the chase, they controlled the game at every stage. The new-ball pair of Mohammad Wasim and Salman Mirza struck early, removing Sri Lanka’s openers inside the powerplay and immediately putting them on the back foot. Under sustained pressure, Sri Lanka never found rhythm or stability, with partnerships failing to take shape and wickets tumbling at regular intervals. Their innings slowly fizzled out at a below-par 128 - a total that never looked threatening.

In reply, Pakistan approached the chase with clear intent, the openers attacked from the outset to seize early momentum. Sahibzada Farhan provided composure and control through the middle overs as he notched up his fifty off 36 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) to put Pakistan in further control. Pakistan lost a few wickets in the middle overs, but got home within 16.4 overs, completing an authoritative win.

For Sri Lanka, it was case of another sorry batting debacle which has become part and parcel of the current T20 side. Despite all the work ethics that take place during training nothing of it is transferred into the middle during a match.

The way Sri Lanka are playing the shortest format there seems to be a vast gap between them and the top teams in this format. Sri Lanka are a side struggling to put sufficient runs on the board and yesterday the wicket was doing a bit for the bowlers after being under covers due to the inclement weather. Pakistan seized the opportunity and had no hesitation in inviting Sri Lanka to bat first. The conditions did suit their seamers early on with the moisture on offer but it was wrist spin that undid Sri Lanka.

The batsmen struggled and the Pakistani bowlers were up to the mark not giving anything away easily. Sri Lanka did well to claw their way back, considering the hole they found themselves in at the midway point but finished with a mediocre total despite the fight back in the middle overs.

Reduced to 72-5, the innings was wobbling poorly before Janith Liyanage and Wanindu Hasaranga came together to provide some much-needed stability adding 38 off 23 balls. Hasaranga chipped in with a brisk cameo before falling, while Liyanage held the innings together, batting into the 18th over for his pivotal contribution of 40 off 31 balls (2 fours, 1 six). However, wickets continued to tumble in the closing stages, preventing any late surge and Sri Lanka eventually limped to a modest total, failing to play out their full quota of overs.

It was a thoroughly disciplined effort from the Pakistani bowlers, who operated as a unit and rarely let the pressure slip at any stage. Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed picked three wickets each and were the standout performers for Pakistan. Shadab Khan with 2/25 in his comeback game took the Player of the Match award, Mohammad Wasim, a couple of wickets at an excellent economy and Salman Mirza were also tidy. 

The second T20I will take place at the same venue tomorrow.