- Urdu version of release is attached here
Lahore, 7 October 2019: A blistering 48-ball 77 by Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga’s three wickets in four balls helped Sri Lanka to seal the three-match T20I series 2-0 with a 35-run win over Pakistan in the second match at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Entering the contest at the back of a comprehensive win, Sri Lanka made no changes to their side and opted to bat first.
Though Pakistan dismantled the opening-pair early in the innings with Imad Wasim accounting for Danushka Gunathilaka (15 off 10) wicket in the third over, the hosts were never in control of the innings.
A fourth-wicket partnership of 94 runs between Bhanuska and Shehan Jayasuria amplified the woes for the hosts as Pakistan bowlers toiled for a wicket.
Bhanuska was the main anchor of the innings. He struck four fours and six sixes during his stay at the crease which set the perfect foundation for Sri Lanka to set a daunting 182 for six.
The left-handed batsman was later awarded man-of-the-match award for his match-defining innings.
Imad, Wahab Riaz and Shadab Khan bagged a wicket each leaking 27, 31 and 38 runs respectively.
Pakistan, once again, faltered from the onset of their chase.
They had made two changes to their side with Fakhar Zaman and Wahab coming in for Haris Sohail and Faheem Ashraf. This also brought a change in the opening pair, but to no avail.
Fakhar was the first batsman to fall in the third over as a fuller delivery deflected off the batsman’s pads on to the stumps as he attempted a scoop.
Babar Azam, the number one T20I batsman, followed him six balls later after getting bowled as Pakistan reeled at 11 for two in 3.1 overs.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, batting at four, and Ahmed Shehzad gave a ray of hope with a 40-run stand for the third-wicket. But, the game was sealed completely in the eighth over.
After getting hit for a six, Hasaranga bowled Ahmed (13 off 16) and trapped Umar Akmal (another golden duck) LBW on successive deliveries. Two balls later, he bowled Sarfaraz (26 off 16), taking three scalps in an over.
With the Pakistan captain walking back to the pavilion, the scoreboard read 52 for five in eight overs.
A rearguard sixth-wicket partnership worth 75 runs between Asif Ali (29 off 27) and Imad Wasim (47 off 29) kept the contest alive but once the latter was trapped LBW by Isuru Udana on the penultimate ball of the 16th over, the game was sealed.
The last four wickets added mere 20 runs with Pradeep, who took four wickets for 25 runs, and Udana, who bagged two wickets for 38 runs, skittling out the tail.
Pakistan were all-out for 147 with a complete over spare.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka play the third and final T20I at the same venue on Wednesday.
Scores in brief:
Sri Lanka 182-6, 20 overs (Bhanuka Rajapaksa 77, Shehan Jayasuria 34, Dasun Shanaka 27)
Pakistan 147 all-out, 19 overs (Imad Wasim 47, Asif Ali 29, Sarfaraz Ahmed 26; Nuwan Pradeep 4-25, Wanindu Hasaranga 3-38, Isuru Udana 2-38)
