Pakistan sweeps T20 series with tense 1-wicket win

Sports Desk: Shahid Afridi then Anwar Ali lifted Pakistan from nowhere to beat Sri Lanka by one wicket with four balls left and sweep their two-match Twenty20 series on Saturday.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka put up a formidable 172-7, helped by a career-best 48 not out from Chamara Kapugedera. On debut, Shehan Jayasuriya scored 40.

Pakistan succumbed to 40-5 in the eighth over and appeared to be as good as buried, but Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan fought back with a 61-run stand in 37 balls. Afridi made 45 off 22 balls, including four sixes and a boundary.

Rizwan was out for 17, and six runs later Afridi was bowled by Jayasuriya, lifted Sri Lanka back on top.

But Ali and Imad Wasim combined for 58 runs off 27 deliveries for the eighth wicket to bring Pakistan in sight of victory.

Ali weighed in with 46 off 17 deliveries including four sixes and three boundaries. He was out at 165-8 with eight balls left. Sohail Tanvir was then run out in the same over going for a second run, leaving Pakistan needing six off the last over.

Last man Mohammad Irfan hit a single off the first ball, and gave the strike to Wasim, who swatted seamer Binura Fernando`s delivery over the long-on fence for a thrilling victory.

Sri Lanka started off the match promisingly, but quick wickets soon left them four down for 65.

Milinda Siriwardana and Kapugedera combined for 55 runs off 35 balls for the sixth wicket.

Kapugedera hit four sixes and two boundaries in 26 balls. Jayasuriya hit two sixes and three boundaries during his 32-ball innings.

Pakistan offspinner Shoaib Malik took 2-16.

Agencies

risingbd/Aug 02, 2015/Aminul