| 0.0 : Hello and a warm welcome to the do-or-die encounter between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. One spot for the semi-finals is up for grabs and both teams will be aiming to put their best foot forward. It is difficult to pick out a stronger team as both sides have been volatile in this competition. They have seen the highs and lows in a short period of time. The confidence will be sky high in their respective camps after registering an unlikely win in their previous games. |
| However, the pressure of a knockout is different altogether and the Asian sides will be feeling the heat. Such a clash can lead to the emergence of new heroes and that leads to a high level of anticipation. It will majorly be a battle between Sri Lanka's batting and Pakistan's bowling. The skies are overcast but let's hope the weather stays dry. In case it is a washout, Sri Lanka will qualify due to a superior run-rate. Expect a thrilling contest! |
| TOSS - Pakistan win the toss and opt to field. |
| Sarfraz Ahmed says they will bowl first as there's some moisture in the pitch. Mentions Fahim Ashraf comes in and Shadab Khan is not playing. Reckons the straight boundaries are very short that's why they're playing with four seamers. (On their good performance against SA) Says he's expecting the same today so wants to put in a good performance. Ends by saying that the semifinal is at stake so this is a really important game. |
| Angelo Mathews says that they would have liked to bowl first as well. Adds that there is a little bit of grass on the surface and they are playing with four seamers. States that there are a few injury concerns but they have managed to get all of them out on the park except for Kusal Perera, who is replaced by Dhananjaya de Silva. (On the head injury to Thisara Perera in training) Mentions that he is fine. Also informs that he himself is fit as well. Ends by saying that it was a collective perfor |
| Pitch Report - Michael Atherton doing the pitch report says there is a bit more grass on this pitch. Adds that when you compare it with The Oval, there is a bit more for the seamers. Mentions that the pitch drone is lighter in colour in middle of the surface and that is the reason Pakistan have gone in with an extra seamer. States that bowling on the shorter side is the way to go on this track as the squarer boundaries are longer. Informs that cross seam deliveries can lead to indifferent bounce |
| The players are out for their respective National Anthems. After completion, we are set to get rolling. Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka will open the batting for Sri Lanka. Pakistan begin the proceedings with Mohammad Amir. Two slips in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : M Amir to N Dickwella, Amir starts off with a peach! Some lateral movement on offer straightaway. Bowls a good length delivery outside off, shapes away after pitching. Dickwella is opened up in his stance as he pokes at it but is beaten all ends up. |
| 0.2 : M Amir to N Dickwella, Back of a length delivery outside off, Niroshan hangs back and defends it to covers. |
| 0.3 : M Amir to N Dickwella, A bit fullish this time around off, moves away a touch. Dickwella leans forward and keeps it out. |
| 0.4 : M Amir to N Dickwella, On a length on off, Dickwella stays back and defends it solidly. |
| 0.5 : M Amir to N Dickwella, FOUR! Pure timing! Good way to get off the mark. Fuller length ball outside off, Dickwella with minimal foot movement creams it through cover-point for a boundary. Struck that really well. |
| 0.6 : M Amir to N Dickwella, Amir opts to go a touch short and angles it towards the rib cage of Dickwella this time. He hops back, gets into a bit awkward position but manages to block it to mid-wicket. A decent start from Amir. |
| Junaid Khan to bowl with the second new ball from the other end. Two slips for him as well. |
| 1.1 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, Fullish delivery around off, Gunathilaka looks to play it across but gets a safe leading edge towards covers. |
| 1.2 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, Well bowled! Khan keeps it on a fullish length outside off, straightens a touch after pitching. Gunathilaka looks to push it straight down the ground but gets beaten. |
| 1.3 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, Length delivery on off, Danushka stays back and defends it. |
| 1.4 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, A bit shorter outside off this time, Gunathilaka has a swing through the line but misses. |
| 1.5 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, Length delivery outside off, the opener stays back and blocks it. |
| 1.6 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, Loose from Gunathilaka. Good length ball well outside off, Gunathilaka reaches out to it and goes for a booming drive but only connects thin air. |
| 2.1 : M Amir to N Dickwella, Fuller length and angling into Dickwella. He is a bit early into his stroke and clips it uppishly towards Hafeez at mid-wicket. Thankfully for him, it lands short of him. |
| 2.2 : M Amir to N Dickwella, Full length delivery outside off, Niroshan leans into it and strokes it nicely through extra cover. Hasan Ali chases it and keeps it down to a couple, |
| 2.3 : M Amir to N Dickwella, On a length on off, straightens a touch. Dickwella gets squared up and gets it off the outer half towards cover-point. |
| 2.4 : M Amir to N Dickwella, In the air... but safe! Fuller length ball slanting towards the pads, Dickwella goes for the whip but ends up getting a top edge that spoons over the mid-wicket region and falls down safely. Junaid is a bit late to get to it and that allows the batsmen to run three. |
| 2.5 : M Amir to D Gunathilaka, Good length delivery outside off, holding its line. Danushka lets it go. Better from him, he needs to get his eye in. |
| 2.6 : M Amir to D Gunathilaka, Well played! Fullish around the pads, Gunathilaka clips it with good timing through mid-wicket. Ashraf hunts it down and slides near the fence to save a run for his side. He gets off the mark finally. |
| 3.1 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, FOUR! Punched with authority! Back of a length outside off and width on offer, Gunathilaka crunches it through covers and the ball races to the fence. |
| 3.2 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 3.3 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, FOUR! Length delivery angling into Gunathilaka. He takes the aerial route and heaves it over mid-wicket. No protection in the deep and the ball rolls to the fence. Not that convincing but he will take it. |
| 3.4 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, Back of a length outside off, defended solidly off the back foot to covers. |
| 3.5 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, Fullish delivery on middle, Danushka turns it to mid-wicket for a quick single. |
| 3.6 : J Khan to N Dickwella, FOUR! Nice improvisation! On a length on off, Dickwella premeditates and scoops it over the keeper's head for a boundary. Executed it really well to get the desired result! Some momentum for Sri Lanka. |
| 4.1 : M Amir to D Gunathilaka, Dug in short on leg stump, Gunathilaka sits under it. |
| 4.2 : M Amir to D Gunathilaka, Good length delivery jagging in appreciably from outside off, Danushka shuffles a touch and defends it beside the pitch on the leg side. |
| 4.3 : M Amir to D Gunathilaka, Full length delivery outside off, Danushka drills it to the mid off fielder. |
| 4.4 : M Amir to D Gunathilaka, Length delivery on off, Gunathilaka stays back and defends it down the track. |
| 4.5 : M Amir to D Gunathilaka, On a length outside off, pushed off the back foot to mid off. |
| 4.6 : M Amir to D Gunathilaka, Fuller in length and angling in, Gunathilaka clips it through mid-wicket. A single taken and he will retain strike. Decent over from Amir. |
| 5.1 : J Khan to D Gunathilaka, OUT! Soft dismissal! He has thrown it away. A bit more application is what his side would have wanted from him as Dickwella was looking flamboyant at the other end. Good length delivery outside off, a bit of room on offer and it holds its line. Gunathilaka stands tall and looks to punch it over wide mid off. However, he mistimes it and the ball flies towards Shoaib Malik in the same region. The veteran moves to his right and pouches it safely. A good start to his 2 |
| 0.0 : Kusal Mendis comes out to bat. He played a really good knock against India in their previous game. Can he repeat the feat? |
| 5.2 : J Khan to K Mendis, Length delivery on off, defended solidly off the back foot down the track. |
| 5.3 : J Khan to K Mendis, The batsman defends it from within the crease |
| 5.4 : J Khan to K Mendis, Length delivery on middle and leg, Mendis is a bit squared up in his stance as he defends it off the outer half square of the wicket on the off side. |
| 5.5 : J Khan to K Mendis, In the channel outside off, Mendis lets it go. |
| 5.6 : J Khan to K Mendis, Good length delivery angling away from Mendis. He points his bat skywards and lets it through. End of a wicket-maiden for Khan. Testing stuff from him. |
| 6.1 : M Amir to N Dickwella, On a length on off, Dickwella hangs back and defends it to covers. |
| 6.2 : M Amir to N Dickwella, On the shorter side outside off this time, Niroshan looks to cut it but chops it beside him off the bottom edge on the track. The ball rolls towards the slip region and strangely, Mendis takes off. He is rightly sent back by his partner. |
| 6.3 : M Amir to N Dickwella, Fullish delivery around off, Dickwella shuffles and whips it through mid-wicket. Fahim Ashraf chases it down and slides near the fence to save a run for his side. |
| 6.4 : M Amir to K Mendis, Good length delivery just outside off, Mendis is opened up a bit in his stance as he pushes at it tentatively off his back foot. Gets an outside edge past the slip region. A run taken. |
| 6.5 : M Amir to N Dickwella, Bouncer on middle and leg, Niroshan ducks under it. One for the over signaled by the umpire. |
| 6.6 : M Amir to N Dickwella, Straying on the hips, Dickwella turns it to fine leg. That is the bigger side of the ground and the southpaw will pick up a couple of runs. |
| 7.1 : J Khan to K Mendis, FOUR! Beautiful! Fullish delivery on off, Mendis creams it down the track. Khan crouches low to his left to stop it but fails to do so. Mendis earns his first boundary. |
| 7.2 : J Khan to K Mendis, Touch short in length, in line of the stumps, worked to mid-wicket. |
| 7.3 : J Khan to K Mendis, Length delivery angling away from Mendis. He plays it with an open face to cover-point. |
| 7.4 : J Khan to K Mendis, Shortish delivery on middle and leg, Kusal goes for the pull but mistimes it to mid-wicket. Failed to capitalize on that one. |
| 7.5 : J Khan to K Mendis, On a length and angling away from Mendis. He shuffles a touch and whips it to wide mid on. A single taken. |
| 7.6 : J Khan to N Dickwella, Short delivery on off, sits up nicely for Dickwella. He pulls it with authority but finds Imad Wasim at front of square on the leg side. He mimes a throw at the striker's end. Aggression from the Pakistani spinner. |
| Time for spin. Imad Wasim to roll his arm over now. Some sawdust has been brought out to spread around the striker's end, beside the keeper and the batsman on the off side. |
| 8.1 : I Wasim to K Mendis, Drifting into the pads, Menids turns it to the leg side. |
| 8.2 : I Wasim to K Mendis, Coming in with the arm from outside off, Mendis strides forward to block but gets it off the inner half to short fine leg. |
| 8.3 : I Wasim to K Mendis, Fullish and straying on the pads, Kusal clips it through front of square on the leg side for a run. |
| 8.4 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, Tossed up outside off, Dickwella check-drives it to covers. |
| 8.5 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, This time it is a much firmer push towards extra cover and he takes off. Good judgement from the southpaw and he makes his ground safely as the throw comes to the bowler's end. |
| 8.6 : I Wasim to K Mendis, Fullish on middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 9.1 : J Khan to K Mendis, FOUR! That was pleasing to watch! Length delivery around the pads, Mendis waits for it and turns it through front of square on the leg side. He has timed it exquistiely and the ball whistles away to the fence. |
| 9.2 : J Khan to K Mendis, Aggression from Junaid Khan! He comes around the wicket and bowls a fullish delivery outside off, Kusal pushes it back to Khan. He collects it and throws it back towards the stumps at the striker's end. Kusal has to move out of the way. A wry smile from the Sri Lankan. |
| 9.3 : J Khan to K Mendis, FOUR! Good response from Mendis! Gets a short delivery on off, he swivels across and pulls it in a controlled manner through square leg. He has timed it well and finds the fence with ease. |
| Fine leg comes inside the ring. |
| 9.4 : J Khan to K Mendis, Back of a length on middle, Kusal tucks it round the corner for a run. |
| 9.5 : J Khan to N Dickwella, Fuller length delivery around off, Niroshan mistimes his drives to covers. |
| 9.6 : J Khan to N Dickwella, Wide! Dug in short in line of the stumps, Dickwella sits under the bumper. It was too high and the umpire signals it as a wide. |
| J Khan to N Dickwella, An appeal for caught behind denied! Short of a length outside off, jags in sharply. Dickwella hops back and looks to turn it through square leg. However, he misses and the ball brushes his thigh pad to carry to the keeper. A stifled appeal is turned down. Replays confirm that it came off the thigh pad. |
| Powerplay 2 has been signalled. A maximum of 4 fielders will be allowed outside the circle till the 40th over. |
| 10.1 : I Wasim to K Mendis, Sliding in on middle and leg, tucked away to backward square leg for an easy single. |
| 10.2 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, Darts it full around off, Dickwella leans forward and across to paddle it fine down the leg side. Big boundary out there so the batsmen scurry back for the second. This is good running. |
| 10.3 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, Full and flat on off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 10.4 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, FOUR! Imad Wasim doesn't turn 'em much. The arm ball has more pace on it and Dickwella has done well to use that to his advantage. He opens the face of the bat and guides this flat ball past the keeper and away to the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 10.5 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, Flat and short outside off, steered past short third man for a couple of runs. |
| 10.6 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, A touch short just around off, wristed towards wide mid on. Imad runs after the ball himself as the batsmen take a single in the meantime. 10 runs off the over, a good one for Sri Lanka. |
| The debutant, Fahim Ashraf is into the attack. |
| 11.1 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Starts with a low full outside off and angles it away, Dickwella steers it to the left of third man and comes back for the second run. |
| 11.2 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Full into the pads, too straight in line which makes it easy for Niroshan to flick it behind square on the leg side. In the gap properly and that will fetch him two more. |
| 11.3 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Bit ahead of a length and around off, from within his crease the left-hander blocks it out. |
| 11.4 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Angling across on a good length, around off, Niroshan gets an inside edge onto his pads as he looks to defend. |
| 11.5 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, On middle and leg, turned through the leg side for two more. |
| 11.6 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Fuller length delivery moving away outside off, Dickwella pummels the drive and makes excellent connection. Unfortunately for him, he finds Mohammad Hafeez at extra cover who dives to his right to make a decent stop. |
| Hasan Ali comes into the bowling attack. |
| 12.1 : H Ali to K Mendis, FOUR! Welcomes Hasan Ali with a boundary. It's fuller in length and right there to be hit, Mendis obliges and creams the drive through extra cover. Junaid Khan tries chasing it down but fails in his attempt to do so. |
| 12.2 : H Ali to K Mendis, Shaping back in on middle and leg, clipped to backward square leg for a single. |
| 12.3 : H Ali to N Dickwella, Going across on a back of a length, Dickwella cuts it to backward point where Babar Azam makes a horrible mess by letting it through him. A single is taken. |
| 12.4 : H Ali to K Mendis, Drops it down in front of backward point with soft hands and both batsmen are instantly off for the run. Complete it with ease too. Nicely done. |
| 12.5 : H Ali to N Dickwella, Short of a good length, worked away to square leg for a run. |
| 12.6 : H Ali to K Mendis, Superb delivery to end the over. Hurls this on a length outside off, it zips off the surface and whizzes past the outside edge of Kusal Mendis' hanging bat into the keeper's gloves. |
| 13.1 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Landed on a length very close to the off stump, punched to point from within his crease. |
| 13.2 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Length delivery once again, worked away in front of square on the leg side for one. |
| 13.3 : F Ashraf to K Mendis, Full ball aiming the top of off stump, Mendis leans across a bit and flicks it through mid-wicket. Two runs taken. |
| 13.4 : F Ashraf to K Mendis, Full and straight, too straight in fact, Kusal Mendis comfortably clips it past the man at mid-wicket for a run. |
| 13.5 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Length delivery on middle and leg, Dickwella walks down the track, makes room for himself too and cuts it last down towards third man. Amir out there runs to his left and keeps the batsmen to two runs. |
| 13.6 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Short of a length on middle, punched in front of cover-point and once again, both batsmen exhibit some good running between the wickets. Cross over to the other end quickly and complete the run. |
| 14.1 : H Ali to N Dickwella, Seaming away from the left-hander, he hangs back and defends it with soft hands. |
| 14.2 : H Ali to N Dickwella, On middle, flicked down to fine leg. Just a single this time. |
| 14.3 : H Ali to K Mendis, Some good carry for the bowler. Length delivery in the off stump channel, the batsman makes a good leave. |
| 14.4 : H Ali to K Mendis, Oooh.. That was close. Hasan Ali fires it full on off, Mendis looks to plays across the line and gets an inside edge onto his pads. That was a close one, could have gone right through the gap. |
| 14.5 : H Ali to K Mendis, OUT! This time it's gone through! That's an absolutely beautiful delivery. Brilliant. Length delivery on off, nips back in off the deck and this time Kusal Mendis can't get any wood on it. It takes him by surprise and hits the top of middle stump, going straight through the gap between bat and pad. Big wicket for Pakistan, the in-form Mendis departs. |
| Time for Drinks. An absorbing first hour of play and Pakistan have struck at a timely interval to break the threatening second wicket partnership. The game is nicely poised and Sri Lanka will want Dickwella to play a substantial knock today. |
| Dinesh Chandimal comes out to bat. |
| 14.6 : H Ali to D Chandimal, Generates some good bounce yet again. Around off on a length, nips back in sharply and catches Dinesh Chandimal high on the pads. It lobs over on the off side as the batsmen take a leg bye. |
| 15.1 : F Ashraf to D Chandimal, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Fahim Ashraf has picked up a wicket on his ODI debut. Dinesh Chandimal's patchy run continues to haunt him. It's full and outside off, Chandimal plants his front foot forward to thrash the drive through the covers but gets a big inside edge to drag it back onto the stumps. The bails are off and Sri Lanka have now lost two wickets in quick succession. |
| 0.0 : Angelo Mathews walks into the middle next. Sri Lanka are in a spot of bother and his side needs him to play a similar knock like he did against India. |
| 15.2 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Just back of a length, on off, Mathews is cramped for room so he can only manage to rise on his toes a bit and play it back down the track. |
| 15.3 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Another big inside edge, Angelo is lucky that didn't go back on to rattle the timber. Full and fired outside off, Mathews reaches out to drive but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 15.4 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Hurled on a good length on the fifth stump line, Mathews has nothing to do with it. |
| 15.5 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Back of a length outside off, the Lankan skipper is away as he slaps it through towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 15.6 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Short ball which is pulled along the ground through backward square leg for a single. |
| 16.1 : H Ali to N Dickwella, Short ball dug in, Niroshan is on top of this as he pulls it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 16.2 : H Ali to A Mathews, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 16.3 : H Ali to A Mathews, Another pearler! In the corridor of uncertainty, on a good length, induces Mathews to play at it and just about takes the edge. The Lankan captain is lucky he didn't nick it. Excellent delivery. |
| 16.4 : H Ali to A Mathews, Stays back to this one and blocks it out off the back foot. |
| 16.5 : H Ali to A Mathews, Length delivery outside the line of off stump, punched from within his crease to covers. |
| 16.6 : H Ali to A Mathews, Just 1 off the over, this has been an excellent over from Hasan Ali. Ends it with a fuller length ball which Angelo can only defend. |
| 17.1 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Fractionally short of a length on middle and leg, Dickwella flicks it through backward square leg and quickly calls for the second one. Hares back and completes it in the end. |
| 17.2 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Ooooff... Right through! Lands it in that nagging length around off, forces Dickwella to play at it. The ball goes past the inside edge and into the keeper's gloves. |
| 17.3 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Wide! Down the leg side, wide called by the umpire. |
| F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Wide! This time it's fired way outside off, Dickwella lets it be. |
| F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Short and wide, cut away hard but it's straight to backward point. |
| 17.4 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total. |
| 17.5 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Length ball on the stumps, Mathews goes deep inside his crease and wrists it to mid-wicket for a brisk single. The bowler and Dickwella almost collided with each other while running but managed to avoid it in the end. |
| 17.6 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Fullish length delivery from around the wicket, the southpaw crouches a bit and cuts it behind point to retain strike. |
| 18.1 : H Ali to N Dickwella, Bowls it on the hips, tucked down to fine leg. Easy single taken by the batsmen. |
| 0.0 : Hasan Ali has a chat with his skipper. May be regarding the field placements but no changes done. |
| 18.2 : H Ali to A Mathews, Angles it back into the batsman, he works it away through square leg for one run. |
| 18.3 : H Ali to N Dickwella, Full ball just outside off, wrists it back down to the left the bowler. Hasan Ali makes a good diving stop to keep it from going past him. |
| 18.4 : H Ali to N Dickwella, From around the wicket, Dickwella works this length ball angled into him to the left of mid on. He wanted the second but Mathews didn't exactly respond to it. So will have to settle for just the one. |
| 18.5 : H Ali to A Mathews, Outside off on a good length, left alone. |
| 18.6 : H Ali to A Mathews, Short of a length outside off, there's some width on offer which Mathews wants to pounce on. He looks to slash but misses as the ball zipped off the deck. |
| Mohammad Hafeez is brought on to bowl. |
| 19.1 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Starts off from around the wicket and floats it up around off, Dickwella is down the track to play this but is caught on the pads. There's an appeal for a leg before which the umpire turns down. Quite difficult to judge that, really. |
| 19.2 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Fifty for Dickwella! He's had to change gears a bit, which is against his natural instincts. Been a good knock so far. He works this behind square on the leg side and runs across. |
| 4th ODI fifty for Niroshan Dickwella. |
| 19.3 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, From over the wicket, it's the straighter one around off, Mathews is playing for the turn and as a result, gets an edge through the vacant slip cordon. A brace is taken. |
| 19.4 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, Positions himself right behind the line and meets it with a straight blade. |
| 19.5 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, Once again Mathews is playing for the turn. There is none and he gets a leading edge down to short third man while looking to work it on the leg side. Single taken. |
| 19.6 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Around the wicket to the southpaw, Dickwella is once again down the track. Is rapped on the pads on attempting to play and like the first ball of the over, the appeal is shut down. |
| Change of ends for Fahim Ashraf. |
| 20.1 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Length delivery outside off, Mathews pushes it to covers. |
| 20.2 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Straighter this time close to the off stump, Mathews hops back and defends it down the track. |
| 20.3 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Back of a length outside off, punched off the back foot to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 20.4 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Shortish delivery outside off, Dickwella arches back and ramps it over the keeper's head. Junaid Khan at third man covers good ground to his right, overruns a bit but does well to stop it by bending low. A run taken. |
| 20.5 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Good length delivery outside off, Angelo points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 20.6 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Fuller length ball outside off, pushed firmly off the front foot to the off side. |
| 21.1 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Quicker delivery on off, Dickwella camps back and punches it to the off side. |
| 21.2 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, In the air... but safe! Tossed up delivery on middle and leg, Niroshan goes for the sweep but mistimes it towards fine leg. Luckily for him, it falls short of the fielder. A run taken. |
| 21.3 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, Mathews shuffles a touch and works it to the leg side. |
| 21.4 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, Wide! Drifting into the pads, Angelo looks to clip but misses. Ahmed fails to collect it but no harm done. |
| M Hafeez to A Mathews, Bye! Mathews again moves inside the line and looks to nudge it round the corner. Misses and Ahmed again fails to collect it. The ball rolls towards short fine leg. A bye taken. |
| 21.5 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Dickwella uses his feet and drives it to long on for a single. |
| 21.6 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 22.1 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, No ball! Where did that come from? High beamer towards the body, Dickwella manages to play it over square leg for a run. That was risky ball, Ashraf needs to be careful. |
| 0.0 : Free Hit coming up. The field can be changed as the batsmen crossed over, so third man is brought in along with the sweeper. |
| 22.1 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, FOUR! Takes full toll of the Free Hit! Low full toss on leg stump, Mathews whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 22.2 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Back of a length outside off, punched off the back foot to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 22.3 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Shortish delivery this time, Niroshan rides the bounce and steers it behind point for a single. |
| 22.4 : F Ashraf to A Mathews, Full on off, Angelo wrists it to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 22.5 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Bangs it in short again and angling into Dickwella. He makes room and taps it to third man. A single taken. |
| 22.6 : F Ashraf to N Dickwella, Straying on the hips this time, Dickwella turns it round the corner for a run. |
| 23.1 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Tossed up around off, Dickwella goes for a sweep across the line but misses to be hit on the forearm. A stifled appeal for an LBW turned down. |
| 23.2 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Tossed up delivery, defended off the front foot. |
| 23.3 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Fullish on middle, Dickwella prods forward to defend it beside the pitch on the off side. |
| 23.4 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Flatter delivery in line of the stumps, Niroshan pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Good running between the wickets allows the batsmen to come back for two. |
| 23.5 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, A bit short around off, Dickwella cuts it towards Imad Wasim at point who fumbles to concede a single. Sloppy work from him, every run is important. |
| 23.6 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, Fullish delivery, worked to mid-wicket for a single. |
| Imad Wasim comes back for a bowl. |
| 24.1 : I Wasim to A Mathews, Tossed up in line of the stumps, Mathews turns it nicely through mid-wicket. Two runs taken. |
| 24.2 : I Wasim to A Mathews, Flatter delivery outside off, Angelo looks to force it through covers but ends up chopping it to the left side of the bowler. |
| 24.3 : I Wasim to A Mathews, Mathews takes it from outside off and whips it to wide mid on. A single taken. |
| 24.4 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, A touch short outside off, Dickwella dabs it past point for a run. |
| 24.5 : I Wasim to A Mathews, Floated outside off, Mathews defends it with an open face to point. |
| 24.6 : I Wasim to A Mathews, Fullish outside off, Angelo pushes it firmly to the left of Wasim. He dives to make a stop but parries it behind. The fielder behind fails to back up. A run taken. |
| 25.1 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, SIX! Bang! Floated outside off, spinning in. Mathews uses his feet and lifts it over long on. Clean strike that and the ball clears the fence with ease. |
| 0.0 : Direct hit! Imad Wasim scores at the bowler's end. Looks close, Angelo Mathews could be in trouble. |
| 25.2 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, Not out! The desperate dive saves Mathews! Fullish around off, Mathews turns it to mid-wicket and sets off for a run. A bit of hesitation in the running but eventually he decides to go for it. Imad comes across to his left and hit's the bull's eye at the bowler's end as Mathews dives full length to make his crease. It is referred upstairs. The replays show that the skipper his safe. Good effort from him. |
| 25.3 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Leg bye! Straying on the pads, Niroshan misses to get rapped on the pads. The ball rolls to short fine leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 25.4 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 25.5 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, Flatter delivery, tucked through square leg for a run. |
| 25.6 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Dickwella comes down the track and looks to play it across but is hit on the pads. |
| 26.1 : I Wasim to A Mathews, A bit short, cut to point. |
| 26.2 : I Wasim to A Mathews, Fullish on middle and leg, nudged to the on side. |
| 26.3 : I Wasim to A Mathews, Shortish outside off, Mathews punches it through point for a run. |
| 26.4 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, The batsman has driven it straight down the ground. |
| 26.5 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, Close shave! Wasim sees Dickwella making room and fires it on leg stump, Dickwella just manages to chop it to short third man. Well bowled. |
| 26.6 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, On the pads, turned to the leg side for a single. |
| 27.1 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They pick up a single. |
| 27.2 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, Short this time, Mathews whips it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 27.3 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Dickwella makes room and punches this to covers. |
| 27.4 : M Hafeez to N Dickwella, Brilliant work, Azam! Short delivery in line of the stumps, Dickwella pulls it through mid-wicket. Babar Azam in the deep covers good ground to his right and dives full length to make a brilliant stop. The umpires refer it upstairs to check for the boundary but he is fine. Good commitment. |
| 27.5 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, The batsman has driven it through mid on. |
| 27.6 : M Hafeez to A Mathews, Mathews clips the fullish delivery to mid-wicket. |
| 28.1 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, Floated delivery, Dickwella uses his feet and clips it to long on for a single. |
| 28.2 : I Wasim to A Mathews, Mathews turns the flighted delivery to the leg side for a single. |
| 28.3 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, This time Dickwella works it with the spin to mid-wicket. |
| 28.4 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, A touch short outside off, Dickwella taps it to point for a single. |
| 28.5 : I Wasim to A Mathews, Straying on the pads, nudged to short fine leg for a run. |
| 28.6 : I Wasim to N Dickwella, FOUR! Elegant! Full and flat outside off, Dickwella hammers it through covers and the ball races to the fence. |
| Mohammad Amir is back into the attack. |
| 29.1 : M Amir to A Mathews, FOUR! That is hit with disdain! Short of a length delivery in line of the stumps, Mathews uses his feet confidently and hammers it over the cow corner for a boundary. |
| 29.2 : M Amir to A Mathews, On a length and angling away, defended off the back foot to covers. |
| 29.3 : M Amir to A Mathews, Shortish delivery on off, Angelo pulls it in a controlled manner through front of square on the leg side. Ali hares to his left and dives to make a brilliant stop. He turns completely as he tumbles down and maintains his balance. Keeps it down to two. |
| 29.4 : M Amir to A Mathews, Fullish around the pads, Mathews wrists it to fine leg for a single. He is using his crease to good effect. |
| 29.5 : M Amir to N Dickwella, Leg bye! Full and down the leg side, Dickwella goes for the clip but is hit on the pads. The ball rolls past the keeper. A leg bye taken. |
| 29.6 : M Amir to A Mathews, Length delivery slanting across Angelo. He eases it through covers for a single. |
| Junaid Khan is called back into the attack. |
| 30.1 : J Khan to A Mathews, Good length delivery on off, Mathews blocks it with the full face of the bat. |
| 30.2 : J Khan to A Mathews, Shaping away on a good length, Angelo off his back foot punches it down towards mid off for a quick run. |
| 30.3 : J Khan to N Dickwella, Seam up delivery from Junaid, hits the right length and bowls it just outside off. It straightens up a shade and beats the outside edge of Niroshan Dickwella's bat. |
| 30.4 : J Khan to N Dickwella, Similar delivery, it's on a length and just outside off, goes past the edge of Dickwella's hanging bat. |
| 30.5 : J Khan to N Dickwella, Three dot balls to Dickwella, now on the third man, he tries to do something different and get a few runs. Junaid Khan with a short of a good length on the stumps, angling in, Dickwella makes room and walks out a step to push it through the off side. It goes past the edge and into the keeper's gloves. Junaid appeals but Sarfraz shakes his head to indicate that there was no edge. |
| 30.6 : J Khan to N Dickwella, Excellent over, just 1 runs off it, that too at this stage of the game. Dickwella can only work it away to mid-wicket. |
| Drinks! Sri Lanka had lost two quick wickets quickly but the skipper, Mathews is playing a sensible knock and is giving good support to Dickwella who is eyeing a ton. The Lankans are going at a decent rate and the Pakistanis need a few wickets to apply the pressure back. |
| 31.1 : M Amir to A Mathews, Outside off on a good length, played to point for nothing. |
| 31.2 : M Amir to A Mathews, OUT! That's a huge wicket, Mohammad Amir gets the big fish! This is the phase where Angelo Mathews would have started to accelerate, so the perfect time for Amir to dismiss him. Breaks the 78-run stand with that too. Just back of a length on the stumps, the Lankan skipper looks to play this across the line by rising on his toes but ends up dragging it back onto his stumps off his pads. Pakistan celebrate, they know this could be their moment to really get on top. Also |
| Dhananjaya de Silva is the new man in. He was called in as a replacement for the injured Kusal Perera. He will be eager to make his presence felt. |
| 31.3 : M Amir to de Silva, Angling across the batsman on a back of a length, Dhananjaya de Silva has nothing to do with it. |
| 31.4 : M Amir to de Silva, Length delivery on off, de Silva from within his crease blocks it out. |
| 31.5 : M Amir to de Silva, The ball has been square driven by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 31.6 : M Amir to N Dickwella, Good length ball on off, Niroshan blocks it out on the off side. End of a successful over from Mohammad Amir. |
| 32.1 : J Khan to de Silva, Back of a length delivery on off, de Silva meets it with a punch off his back foot to point. |
| 32.2 : J Khan to de Silva, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 32.3 : J Khan to de Silva, OUT! Two wickets in two overs after the drinks break for Pakistan. The man who has just entered the country has been sent back to the dressing room. Junaid Khan with a ripper. Pounds it on a good length on middle and leg, it shapes away ever so slightly and it squares Dhananjaya de Silva up. He hangs his bat out, gets a nick behind as Sarfraz completes the formalities. |
| Asela Gunaratne is the next batsman in. |
| 32.4 : J Khan to A Gunaratne, Length ball around off, defended off the front foot. |
| 32.5 : J Khan to A Gunaratne, Full outside off, Gunaratne comes forward to play the expansive drive but gets an inside edge back onto his pads. |
| 32.6 : J Khan to A Gunaratne, Moving away from outside off, dabbed to point. A wicket maiden from Khan, superb over from him. |
| 33.1 : M Amir to N Dickwella, OUT! Third wicket in the third over. Pakistan have made their way back in this game like it's nobody's business. Mohammad Amir has his tail up and comes steaming in, pitches it on a length in the channel outside off, Dickwella looks to play this across the line and gets an under edge which goes behind. Sarfraz dives to his right and takes a good low catch. The Men in Green firmly in the driver's seat now. |
| 0.0 : Thisara Perera to be the new man in. Will he be able to come up with an answer to his onslaught with the ball from Pakistan? |
| 33.2 : M Amir to T Perera, Full in length and tailing back in, goes off the pads as Thisara Perera misses his flick. A leg bye is taken. |
| 33.3 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Shaping back in on middle and leg, Gunaratne dabs it to point. Imad Wasim there makes a schoolboy error as he lets the ball slip right through his fingers. Allows the batsmen to take two runs. |
| 33.4 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Shortish in length and angles away after pitching, Gunaratne tries to play at it but is beaten all ends up. |
| Asela Gunaratne has been caught behind by the Pakistani skipper but he is himself not confident. The soft signal from the umpires is not out. |
| 33.5 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Dropped! Oh, that could prove to be a big one. Everybody knows how dangerous a player Asela Gunaratne can be, especially in the fag end of the innings. Short of a good length well outside off, Gunaratne cuts and gets a healthy edge. Sarfraz dives full stretch to his right and latches on to the ball, but then seems to have put it down after falling down the ground due to the impact. The Pakistan skipper indicates he isn't sure and so, the umpire checks it upstairs. Re |
| 33.6 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Full ball on the stumps, driven to mid on to end an eventful over from Amir. |
| 34.1 : J Khan to T Perera, Back of a length outside off, punched off the back foot to covers. |
| 34.2 : J Khan to T Perera, On the shorter side and coming back in, Thisara mistimes it towards mid off. |
| 34.3 : J Khan to T Perera, Short and angling in, Thisara Perera awkwardly pulls it over backward square leg and takes one. |
| 34.4 : J Khan to A Gunaratne, Shaping away on a good length, outside off, Asela off the outer edge runs it to the man at first slip, who dives to his right and stops it. |
| 34.5 : J Khan to A Gunaratne, Curling back in on middle and leg, worked away to mid-wicket for a single. There is a shy at the bowler's end but it misses. |
| 34.6 : J Khan to T Perera, OUT! Oh, dear... What are we witnessing here? Sri Lanka have capitulated hopelessly. Good length ball moving away, Thisara Perera looks to play it on the up and ends up getting a thick edge. It flies straight to Babar Azam at wide first slip and he takes a good, sharp catch. Another wicket down for the Islanders. |
| Suranga Lakmal comes out to bat. |
| 35.1 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Comes from around the wicket, it straightens up after pitching outside off, Asela plays it point but won't get any run for it. |
| 35.2 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Full and outside off, it's driven square on the off side for nothing again. |
| 35.3 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, FIVE WIDES! Short and angling down, it's too far out for the keeper to reach it. It races away to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| M Amir to A Gunaratne, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 35.4 : M Amir to S Lakmal, Ooofff! That's just missed. Man... That was very close. Fires it right in the blockhole, just outside off, Lakmal looks to bring his bat down in time but cannot. It goes off the bottom part of the bat behind to the keeper. He would have been gone for all money had that ball been aimed at the stump. |
| 35.5 : M Amir to S Lakmal, Full outside off, driven to the right of cover-point for a single. |
| 35.6 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Good length ball outside off, Gunaratne looks to cut but gets a bottom edge behind towards second slip on the bounce. |
| 36.1 : J Khan to S Lakmal, On a length on off, the batsman gets squared a touch as he defends it from within the crease. |
| 36.2 : J Khan to S Lakmal, Shaping across Lakmal, he gets behind the line to block. |
| 36.3 : J Khan to S Lakmal, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 36.4 : J Khan to A Gunaratne, Length ball on middle and leg, flicked in front of square on the leg side for one run. |
| 36.5 : J Khan to S Lakmal, Slower back of a length ball on the body, Lakmal pulls it along the ground through backward square leg. The fielder from fine leg cuts it off moving to his left and the batsmen take two. |
| 36.6 : J Khan to S Lakmal, Short and wide, cut away to deep point. Single to end the over. |
| Hasan Ali is brought back on to bowl. |
| 37.1 : H Ali to S Lakmal, Full and outside off, Lakmal drives it to sweeper cover to get off strike. |
| 37.2 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Moving away after pitching outside off, Gunaratne looks to play it square on the off side but misses. |
| 37.3 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Full on off, walks across and wrists it to the right of mid on. Single taken. |
| 37.4 : H Ali to S Lakmal, Very full outside off, driven straight to extra cover. |
| 37.5 : H Ali to S Lakmal, Picks it off his pads and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 37.6 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Tailing back in on middle and leg, Asela goes across and clips it through square leg. Takes two runs for some reason. |
| Imad Wasim comes back for a bowl. |
| 38.1 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, Shout for a leg before, but turned down. Good decision by the umpire. Full and sliding down, Lakmal looks to play at it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Even if he hadn't, it would have gone on to miss the leg stump. |
| 38.2 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, Flat and short outside off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 38.3 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 38.4 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, Suranga defends it from within his crease. |
| 38.5 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, Full on the stumps, driven back down the track. |
| 38.6 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. Maiden over from Imad Wasim. |
| 39.1 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Fuller in length and speared outside off, left alone. |
| 39.2 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Similar line and similar length, left alone yet again. |
| 39.3 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Full and swerving back in, driven to mid on by leaning forward. |
| 39.4 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, On a length outside off, dabbed to backward point for a single. |
| 39.5 : H Ali to S Lakmal, Full outside off, Suranga Lakmal stands his ground and drives it hard to mid off. |
| 39.6 : H Ali to S Lakmal, Yorker outside off, not straight enough to get something for the bowler. Lakmal misses as he attempts to dig it out. |
| Powerplay 3 has been signaled by the umpire. Maximum of five fielders are allowed outside the circle till the end of the innings. |
| 40.1 : I Wasim to A Gunaratne, Tossed up on off, Gunaratne uses his feet and turns it to mid on for an easy single. |
| 40.2 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, Coming in with the arm, Lakmal looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 40.3 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, A loud shout for an LBW turned down. Quicker delivery, coming in with the angle. Lakmal misses his clip again to get rapped on the pads. However, the umpire is not interested in the appeal. It was going down leg. |
| 40.4 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, Lakmal is nimble on his feet and drills it past Wasim to long off for a run. |
| 40.5 : I Wasim to A Gunaratne, Down the leg side, Asela looks to nudge it but misses. Sarfraz also fumbles. The umpire initially gives it a wide but changes his decision as the square leg umpire tells that the ball brushed his pads. |
| 40.6 : I Wasim to A Gunaratne, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 41.1 : H Ali to S Lakmal, Dug in short outside off, Lakmal goes for the pull but misses it completely. |
| 41.2 : H Ali to S Lakmal, FOUR! Shot! Full length delivery outside off, Lakmal drills it through extra cover to find the fence. |
| 41.3 : H Ali to S Lakmal, Leg bye! On a length and angling in, Lakmal is hit on the pads as the ball rolls to fine leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 41.4 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Fullish delivery, pushed off the front foot back to the bowler. |
| 41.5 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Fuller length ball on off, Asela drives it to mid on to rotate strike. |
| 41.6 : H Ali to S Lakmal, FOUR! Well played! On a fuller length outside off, Lakmal lifts it over mid off. No protection in the deep and h picks up a boundary. |
| 42.1 : I Wasim to A Gunaratne, Stays back to the flatter delivery and punches it to the off side. |
| 42.2 : I Wasim to A Gunaratne, A bit short around off, Asela cuts it to point. |
| 42.3 : I Wasim to A Gunaratne, Quick delivery on middle, eased down to long on for a run. |
| 42.4 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, Floated in line of the stumps, Lakmal turns it towards short mid-wicket where Hafeez dives to his left to save a run. |
| 42.5 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, A touch short outside off, punched off the back foot to Azam at covers. |
| 42.6 : I Wasim to S Lakmal, Drifting in towards the pads, Lakmal works it nicely to deep mid-wicket. Two runs taken. |
| Mohammad Amir returns. |
| 43.1 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Straying on the pads, Gunaratne gets a tickle on it to get it past the keeper. Ashraf covers a lot of ground to his right and puts in a desperate dive to keep the ball in play. The replays show that he is fine. Saves a run for his side. |
| 43.2 : M Amir to S Lakmal, Good length delivery on middle, a touch extra bounce on that. Lakmal hops back and keeps it out. |
| 43.3 : M Amir to S Lakmal, Low full toss on middle and leg, Suranga chips it to wide mid on. Well played and he gets two runs for doing so. |
| 43.4 : M Amir to S Lakmal, FOUR! He is striking the ball beautifully! The stand moves to 42 with that. This is a good little cameo from Lakmal. Fuller length ball on off, Lakmal hits it over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 43.5 : M Amir to S Lakmal, Short delivery outside off, pulled in a controlled manner to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 43.6 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Shortish delivery outside off, Asela sways away and drops his wrists to let it go. |
| Change of ends for Hasan Ali. |
| 44.1 : H Ali to S Lakmal, Length delivery on off, Lakmal whips it uppishly to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 44.2 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Wide! Back of a length delivery, slanting down. Gunaratne lets it go. |
| H Ali to A Gunaratne, Full length delivery well outside off, Gunaratne goes for the drive but gets an outside edge to third man. A run taken. |
| 44.3 : H Ali to S Lakmal, OUT! Hasan Ali strikes again! Bowls a slower delivery on a length on off, Lakmal is foxed by the lack of pace as he goes through with his pick up shot over mid-wicket. Misses it completely and the ball flicks the bails off. Hasan Ali is pumped and celebrates passionately. The batsman doesn't realize it but the bowler tells him to have a look behind. End of an enterprising knock from Lakmal. Pakistan break a good partnership as well. The pair added 46 runs from 57 balls. |
| Lasith Malinga is next in. |
| 44.4 : H Ali to L Malinga, Full delivery on off, Malinga jams it out. |
| 44.5 : H Ali to L Malinga, Fullish delivery outside off, Malinga makes a bit of room and drives it to deep cover for a run. |
| 44.6 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| Junaid Khan to bowl out. |
| 45.1 : J Khan to L Malinga, Fullish delivery on middle and leg, Malinga backs away and eases it to covers. |
| 45.2 : J Khan to L Malinga, On a length on the pads, Lasith hops back and tucks it with soft hands to mid-wicket. The batsmen complete the run with ease. Sarfraz needs to be proactive with his captaincy. Can't give away easy runs to the tailender. |
| 45.3 : J Khan to A Gunaratne, Dug in short in line of the stumps, Asela comes down the track, gives himself room but lets it go. Well played in the end. |
| 45.4 : J Khan to A Gunaratne, Wide! Slower bouncer around off, Asela sits under it. Wide signaled for height. |
| J Khan to A Gunaratne, Dropped! Gunaratne is leading a charmed life! Low full toss on off, Gunaratne goes for the reverse sweep but doesn't pick the gap. The ball goes straight towards the debutant, Fahim Ashraf at short third man. He leaps but makes a mess of a simple take. He did not need to jump, it was coming straight to him. Gunaratne gets a reprieve again. |
| 45.5 : J Khan to L Malinga, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 45.6 : J Khan to L Malinga, Low full toss on off, Malinga pushes it to mid off for a single and takes the single strangely. |
| 46.1 : H Ali to L Malinga, Length ball on middle, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 46.2 : H Ali to L Malinga, Back of a length delivery around off, Malinga looks to force it through covers but gets an outside edge to third man. A run taken. |
| 46.3 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Shortish delivery, angling in. Asela backs away and places it uppishly to third man. A single taken. |
| 46.4 : H Ali to L Malinga, Run out chance missed! Malinga backs away to the fullish delivery and pushes it to extra cover. Takes off for the single. Hafeez has one stump to aim at but misses his shy. Lasith was gone for all money. |
| 46.5 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, FOUR! That was a weird shot but effective! On a length outside off, Gunaratne premeditates and looks to scoop it over fine leg. However, he is not in a good position but manages to play it over the keeper's head for a boundary. |
| 46.6 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, Driven through mid off by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 47.1 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Good length delivery angling away from Asela. He comes down the track, makes room and looks to go big down the ground but gets beaten. |
| 47.2 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Shortish delivery in line of the stumps, Gunaratne backs away and upper cuts it to third man for a run. |
| 47.3 : M Amir to L Malinga, Terrific fielding by Hasan Ali. Straying on the pads, Malinga tucks it towards short fine leg. Hasan charges to his right and dives full length to save a certain boundary. A single taken. |
| 47.4 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Ouch! That must have shaken him up! Bouncer on middle and leg, Asela takes his eyes off the ball and is hit on the helmet. The ball rolls to fine leg but no run taken. Aggressive bowling from the seamer. |
| 47.5 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, Back of a length delivery around off, Gunaratne hits it with a horizontal bat over covers. Hasn't timed it that well. Two runs taken. |
| 47.6 : M Amir to A Gunaratne, The ball is way wide on the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. The umpire has signalled a wide. |
| M Amir to A Gunaratne, Dug in short on off, Asela pulls it down to fine leg for a single and will retain the strike. |
| 48.1 : H Ali to A Gunaratne, OUT! Gunaratne holes out! Good length delivery around off, Asela goes for the heave over mid-wicket. Connects decently but doesn't get the elevation he desired on it. Fakhar Zaman in the deep takes a simple catch. A handy knock from Gunaratne comes to an end. |
| 0.0 : Nuwan Pradeep comes out to bat. |
| 48.2 : H Ali to L Malinga, Back of a length delivery outside off, Malinga looks to force it through covers but mistimes it to the same region. A run taken. |
| 48.3 : H Ali to N Pradeep, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 48.4 : H Ali to L Malinga, Dug in short outside off, Malinga goes for the pull but gets beaten. |
| 48.5 : H Ali to L Malinga, Full length delivery in line of the stumps, the slower one. Lasith chips it to mid-wicket to pick up a single. |
| 48.6 : H Ali to N Pradeep, Full length delivery on middle and off, Pradeep defends it to the leg side. |
| Fahim Ashraf will bowl the final over of the innings. |
| 49.1 : F Ashraf to L Malinga, Malinga makes room and Ashraf follows him with a low full toss. He manages to stroke it to mid on for a single. |
| 49.2 : F Ashraf to N Pradeep, OUT! SRI LANKA ARE BOWLED OUT FOR 236! Back of a length delivery on off, Pradeep hops back and looks to turn it to the leg side but is early into his stroke. Ends up getting a leading edge that spoons back towards Fahim Ashraf who makes no mistake. |
| A decent comeback by Sri Lanka at the fag end of the innings. After being asked to bat, they got off to a steady start and despite losing a couple of wickets, were cruising along quite well with Mathews and Dickwella, who scored a fifty, playing sensibly. But after the second drinks break, things fell apart for them. Lost 4 wickets in 4 overs and were left in tatters. But a handy partnership between Gunaratne and Lakmal saw that Sri Lanka finished with a decent total on the board at least. |
| Pakistan will have a general feeling of content in them, though they'd feel some runs could have been stopped from leaking towards the end. Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan did the damage after the drinks break and scalped 2 wickets apiece in that period. The Men in Green did well from the start too by not giving too much and picking up timely wickets in the middle too. This is a stiff target for Pakistan to chase. The wicket is a good one but it won't be easy by any means. Join us in a short while |
| 0.0 : We're back for the second half of this match. A pressure chase, for the final playoff spot. Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali stride out to the middle with the Lankans spreading out across the field. Lasith Malinga is going to take the first new ball and he will have two slips in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : L Malinga to A Ali, Good length delivery in the off stump channel, Azhar Ali leaves it alone. Expected start to the innings. |
| 0.2 : L Malinga to A Ali, Good shape, good line and good length. Malinga gets some decent carry on this as Azhar Ali lets it be to cover his stumps. |
| 0.3 : L Malinga to A Ali, Azhar offers a solid punch to covers. It was coming on a length outside off, the batsman meets it with the full face of the bat. |
| 0.4 : L Malinga to A Ali, Just back of a length, punched away a bit square on the off side. |
| 0.5 : L Malinga to A Ali, Dropped! Wrong person to drop, Danushka. This could have been the dream start Sri Lanka wanted. Short and wide, Azhar Ali cuts it aerially to point. Gunathilaka dives low to his left, gets his hands to it but ends up spilling it. |
| 0.6 : L Malinga to A Ali, Outside off, left alone to end the over. Maiden over to get things going. |
| Suranga Lakmal to bowl from the other end with the second new ball. A couple of slips placed for him too. |
| 1.1 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, Wide! Spills it down the leg side, easy call for the umpire signal as wide. |
| S Lakmal to F Zaman, Around off, defended with the full face of the bat. |
| 1.2 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, All happening out there! Fakhar Zaman drops this with soft hands in front of point and calls for the run. Azhar responds as Gunathilaka charges in to the ball. Dives forward to collect it but cannot do so cleanly. Azhar running to get to the other end almost collides with the fielder, so he has to adjust and dive in somehow. He's not too happy about that. |
| 1.3 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Bit ahead of a length around off, driven hard but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 1.4 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Lands it on a length around off, Ali walks across the line and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 1.5 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Plays it to mid-wicket again. Another dot ball. |
| 1.6 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Good length ball very close to off, plays this on the up as he drives it to the cover fielder. |
| 2.1 : L Malinga to F Zaman, Low dipping full toss on the stumps, Zaman deals with it well as he plays it to mid off. |
| 2.2 : L Malinga to F Zaman, FOUR! That's a good shot. Another dipping full toss outside off, Zaman leans into it and drives it between cover and point. Pierces the gap perfectly and gets his first boundary. |
| 2.3 : L Malinga to F Zaman, FOUR! Super shot. He goes in the same area and gets the same result. This time Malinga rolls his fingers over the ball but it doesn't matter to Zaman, he drives this firmly between cover and point for consecutive boundaries. |
| 2.4 : L Malinga to F Zaman, From around the wicket, it's a length delivery outside off, left alone by the southpaw. |
| 2.5 : L Malinga to F Zaman, FOUR! Oh, what a shot! Gets a juicy half-volley outside off, Zaman leans into it beautifully and crisply drives it through the gap in the covers to send it across the boundary line. |
| 2.6 : L Malinga to F Zaman, Great comeback from Malinga, ends the over with a superb delivery. Angles it in around off from wide of the crease, Fakhar hangs his bat out to it and almost nicks it as the ball goes past the edge behind to the keeper. A good over for Pakistan nonetheless, 12 runs off it. |
| 3.1 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Short of a good length outside off, Azhar has some room to work with so he attempts to cut it away. The bounce gets a little big on him so he isn't able to connect. |
| 3.2 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Lands it on a length on off, blocked with a straight bat. |
| 3.3 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Just sits up to Ali, he stands back and defends it well. |
| 3.4 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Full on off, driven straight back to Lakmal. The pacer collects the ball and fires it back to the keeper, in the process almost taking Azhar Ali's head off. Controlled aggression it seems, he has a cheeky smile on his face as he walks back. |
| 3.5 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Finally he's off the mark. Drives it back down the ground and scurries to the other end. |
| 3.6 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, FOUR! Short and angling down, Zaman pulls it down to fine leg and ends the over with a boundary. |
| 4.1 : L Malinga to A Ali, Angling back in on middle and leg, worked in front of mid-wicket from inside his crease. Wants the run, but then is sent back by his partner. |
| 4.2 : L Malinga to A Ali, Short and wide outside off, easy enough to cut it away to deep backward point for a single. |
| 4.3 : L Malinga to F Zaman, Angling in from around the wicket, on off, Fakhar punches it back in Malinga's direction. |
| 4.4 : L Malinga to F Zaman, Marginally ahead of a length, punched straight to the cover-point fielder. |
| 4.5 : L Malinga to F Zaman, Zaman drops it in front of extra cover and hares across. Chandimal runs in to the ball and under arms it at the striker's end, gets a direct hit but to no effect. Azhar has planted his bat in by then. |
| 4.6 : L Malinga to A Ali, Full ball coming back in, driven towards mid on. |
| 5.1 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, Straighter in line, on middle and leg, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 5.2 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, Angling down a bit, Zaman looks to glance it fine down the leg side but the ball goes off his thigh pad on the leg side. Leg bye taken. |
| 5.3 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 5.4 : S Lakmal to A Ali, FOUR! Length ball angling back in, Azhar Ali camps back and heaves it over mid-wicket. Nobody out there in the deep so the ball will race away to the fence. |
| 5.5 : S Lakmal to A Ali, On the fuller side of things and on the stumps, driven back down the track where Lakmal gets low and stops it in his followthrough. |
| 5.6 : S Lakmal to A Ali, Picks it off his pads and flicks it away on the on side for a single. |
| Nuwan Pradeep is called into the attack. |
| 6.1 : N Pradeep to A Ali, Just back of a length around off, the right-hander plays it back to the bowler. |
| 6.2 : N Pradeep to A Ali, Shortish outside off, Ali is well control of this shot. Off the outer half his plays this down to third man for a single. |
| 6.3 : N Pradeep to F Zaman, Gets this one to angle across the southpaw, Zaman has a go at it but fails to make connection. |
| 6.4 : N Pradeep to F Zaman, Wide! Way outside off this time, Fakhar once again tries to go after it but it's too far out. |
| N Pradeep to F Zaman, Short of a length outside off, run down to third man for an easy run. |
| 6.5 : N Pradeep to A Ali, That's a real peach! Pradeep lands this on a length around off, Azhar looks to play at it but it jags back in sharply and goes off the thigh pad to the keeper. The bowler and the keeper go up in an appeal but nothing from the umpire. |
| 6.6 : N Pradeep to A Ali, The batsman has played it fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| Thisara Perera to have a bowl now. |
| 7.1 : T Perera to A Ali, SIX! Oh my word, what a hit! Azhar Ali with a monstrous hit to send that outta here. Fuller length delivery and he charges down the track, makes perfect connection and with the full swing of his bat, clears the stadium down the ground. Pretty sure the ball has been lost too. |
| 0.0 : The terrific hit means that the ball has gone out of the park. It is being replaced by a different one. |
| 7.2 : T Perera to A Ali, Bit short, Ali closes the face a bit too early to work it on the leg side but gets a leading edge which bobbles towards the covers. |
| 7.3 : T Perera to A Ali, Manages to work it through mid-wicket this time and gets off strike. |
| 7.4 : T Perera to F Zaman, FOUR! Fakhar has mauled that! The left-hander has got his dancing shoes on, he skips out and hammers it straight back down the ground for a boundary. |
| 7.5 : T Perera to F Zaman, Wide! Fires it down the leg side, nothing from the batsman. Wide called by the umpire. |
| T Perera to F Zaman, Slightly fullish in length, blocked. |
| 7.6 : T Perera to F Zaman, Zaman just helps this down to third man and earns himself a single. 13 runs off the over, an excellent one for Pakistan. |
| 8.1 : N Pradeep to F Zaman, FOUR! Oh, boy... That's poor from Asela. Pradeep with a great delivery as he lands it around off, makes it go away ever so slightly and draws the edge. It goes behind but falls short of Gunaratne positioned there. He, however, cannot stop it as he lets it through him. Goes all the way to the rope for a boundary. |
| 8.2 : N Pradeep to F Zaman, Short ball from Pradeep, it's ducked and evaded. |
| 8.3 : N Pradeep to F Zaman, Length ball going away around off, punched to the right of mid on who makes a tumbling stop. Single taken. |
| 8.4 : N Pradeep to A Ali, Beats him for pace, shapes back in sharply and raps him high on the thigh pad. The appeal is turned down as a result and a leg bye is taken. |
| 8.5 : N Pradeep to F Zaman, SIX! That's gone all the way despite going off the top edge. Wow! Just shows how short that boundary is. Length ball on the stumps, Zaman swings hard across the line. Goes off the top edge and flies away over the stands and into the river outside. |
| 8.6 : N Pradeep to F Zaman, Full delivery which is driven towards mid off for a brisk single. |
| Change of ends for Suranga Lakmal. |
| 9.1 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, Comes from around the wicket and angles it in on middle and leg, catches the left-hander on the thigh pad who looks to block. |
| 9.2 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, FOUR! Errs it line and angles it down the leg side, Fakhar just tickles it fine and picks up a boundary. Fine leg was too square so couldn't stop it. |
| 9.3 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, Fakhar looks to make room but Lakmal bangs in a short one on leg, the batsman can only duck and evade. |
| 9.4 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, Follows him again as he makes room once more, Zaman works it away through backward square leg for a double. |
| 9.5 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, Back of a length outside off, backs away a little and crunches it to backward point. |
| 9.6 : S Lakmal to F Zaman, Wide! Short and angling way down, easy leave for the umpire. |
| S Lakmal to F Zaman, Angles it into Fakhar Zaman again, he swivels and pulls it along the ground behind square on the leg side for a simple run. |
| Powerplay 2 signalled. 4 fielders can now be placed outside the ring till the 40th over. |
| Asela Gunaratne is brought into the attack. A good move, taking some pace off in the attack will probably do Sri Lanka some good. |
| 10.1 : A Gunaratne to F Zaman, Slow delivery outside off, Zaman eases it to covers for a single. |
| 10.2 : A Gunaratne to A Ali, Fullish on midle, Azhar clips it towards short mid-wicket. Mathews dives full length to his right but fails to stop it cleanly. A run taken. |
| 10.3 : A Gunaratne to F Zaman, On a length on off, Zaman puches it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 10.4 : A Gunaratne to A Ali, This one cuts back into Ali. He stays leg side of the ball and taps it to covers for a single. |
| 10.5 : A Gunaratne to F Zaman, FOUR! Deft! This young man is talented. A touch short outside off, Fakhar waits for it and dabs it through the vacant third man region for a boundary. |
| 10.6 : A Gunaratne to F Zaman, Length delivery on off, Zaman dabs it towards point for a single. A well-deserved half century for him. He has given the much-needed intent that was required for the Pakistani side at the top of the order. Makes his mark in his second ODI. He needs to carry on. |
| Maiden ODI fifty for Fakhar Zaman! |
| Nuwan Pradeep is back on. |
| 11.1 : N Pradeep to F Zaman, Full length ball on middle, Zaman defends it back down the track. |
| 11.2 : N Pradeep to F Zaman, OUT! Zaman holes out! Dug in short on leg stump, Fakhar goes for the big pull shot but ends up top edging it towards fine leg. Asela Gunaratne stays composed and bends low to take a fine reverse cup catch. Pradeep provides the crucial breakthrough for his side. A breezy knock from the youngster comes to an end. It could be argued that he threw it away but that is the way he bats. |
| Babar Azam comes out to bat. |
| 11.3 : N Pradeep to B Azam, Short of a length on off, Azam goes back to defend but gets a bottom edge that just rolls past the off stump. |
| 11.4 : N Pradeep to B Azam, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 11.5 : N Pradeep to B Azam, Back of a length delivery outside off, Azam cuts it towards point where the fielder makes a leaping half-stop. |
| 11.6 : N Pradeep to B Azam, FOUR! Shot! He played that with a lot of authority. Short and room on offer, Azam slaps it through point for a rocketing boundary. Gets off the mark in style. |
| Thisara Perera comes back into the attack. |
| 12.1 : T Perera to A Ali, Length delivery around off, Ali stays back and defends it to the off side. |
| 12.2 : T Perera to A Ali, Similar length ball on off, Azhar shuffles a touch and wrists it to mid on |
| 12.3 : T Perera to B Azam, Wide! Slips this one down the leg side, Babar looks to nudge it but misses. |
| T Perera to B Azam, Length delivery, angling in. Azam turns it to the leg side. |
| 12.4 : T Perera to B Azam, Good length delivery outside off, Babar pushes it off the back foot to covers. |
| 12.5 : T Perera to B Azam, Bouncer outside off, Azam ducks under it. |
| 12.6 : T Perera to B Azam, This one jags back into Azam. He works it to the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 13.1 : N Pradeep to A Ali, In the channel outside off, holding its line. Ali plants his front foot across and lets it go. |
| 13.2 : N Pradeep to A Ali, Dug in short on off, Ali sits under the bumper. |
| 13.3 : N Pradeep to B Azam, Fullish and tailing into Babar. He clips it to mid-wicket. |
| 13.4 : N Pradeep to B Azam, Short of a length outside off, Azam looks to force it square of the wicket but gets an outside edge towards third man. Lakmal comes across to his left and cuts it off. Returns an accurate throw to the keeper as the batsmen complete the run. Dickwella underarms it to the non-striker's end to catch Ali off guard. Misses and the ball rolls past Malinga who was busy walking back to his bowling mark. Concedes two overthrow. |
| 13.5 : N Pradeep to A Ali, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. |
| 13.6 : N Pradeep to B Azam, Shortish and room on offer, Azam cuts it uppishly behind point. This time Lakmal moves to his right to cut it off. Two runs taken. |
| 14.1 : T Perera to A Ali, Back of a length delivery, pulled to fine leg for a single. |
| 14.2 : T Perera to B Azam, Strong appeal for an LBW denied! Good length delivery well outside off, Azam looks to slap it square of the wicket on the off side but misses. Dikcwella collects it and appeals loudly and the bowler joins him. However, nothing from the umpire. Replays show that there was daylight between bat and ball. |
| 14.3 : T Perera to B Azam, Short of a length on middle, Azam is a bit hurried as he mistimes his pull round the corner. A run taken. |
| 14.4 : T Perera to A Ali, Ali takes a couple of steps down the track and glides it to third man for a single. |
| 14.5 : T Perera to B Azam, Azam looks to run it down to third man but gets it towards the right of first slip. Wants the run but is sent back. |
| 14.6 : T Perera to B Azam, Fullish on off, Azam pushes it to mid off. |
| Drinks break. Pakistan are in a commanding position. They require 147 runs from 210 balls with 9 wickets in hand. Sri Lanka need quick wickets to claw back into the contest. |
| 15.1 : N Pradeep to A Ali, Dug in short on off, Ali swivels across and pulls it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 0.0 : Wide first slip in place now. |
| 15.2 : N Pradeep to B Azam, Good length delivery outside off, punched off the back foot to cover-point. |
| 15.3 : N Pradeep to B Azam, Fullish delivery on off, pushed firmly off the front foot to mid off. |
| 15.4 : N Pradeep to B Azam, Wide! Dug in short but down the leg side, wide called for height. |
| N Pradeep to B Azam, OUT! Pradeep strikes! Azam picks the fielder out to perfection. On a good length and angling in towards the pads, Azam whips it but doesn't bother to keep it down. It flies towards Dhananjaya de Silva who takes a good reflex catch at mid-wicket. Pakistan's reliable man fails to make a mark. Will this wicket lead to a collapse? Sri Lanka will hope so. |
| Mohammad Hafeez strides out to bat. |
| 15.5 : N Pradeep to M Hafeez, Back of a length delivery, angling in. Hafeez backs away and steers it to third man for a run. |
| 15.6 : N Pradeep to A Ali, Dug in short, pulled to the leg side for a run and Ali will retain the strike. End of a successful over for the Lankans. |
| 16.1 : T Perera to A Ali, Short delivery, sits up nicely for Ali. He pulls it to fine leg for an easy single. |
| 16.2 : T Perera to M Hafeez, Good length delivery outside off, punched off the back foot to the off side. |
| 16.3 : T Perera to M Hafeez, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 16.4 : T Perera to M Hafeez, Short of a length on off, Hafeez stays back and plays it to point. |
| 16.5 : T Perera to M Hafeez, OUT! Soft dismissal! Pakistan are losing the plot all of a sudden. Back of a length delivery on middle, Hafeez camps back and looks to turn it through square leg. However, he is early into his shot and ends up getting it from the splice of the bat towards mid on. Nuwan Pradeep comes in towards the ball and also the short mid-wicket fielder. The former calls for it and takes it safely. The pressure is building and the Lankans will know that picking up regular wickets |
| Shoaib Malik comes out to bat. |
| 16.6 : T Perera to S Malik, FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Fuller length ball outside off, Malik drills it through cover-point for a boundary. |
| 17.1 : N Pradeep to A Ali, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 17.2 : N Pradeep to A Ali, FOUR! Well played! Back of a length delivery outside off, Ali ramps it over the keeper's head to find the fence. |
| 17.3 : N Pradeep to A Ali, Similar length delivery on off, Ali hops back and works it to the leg side for a run. |
| 17.4 : N Pradeep to S Malik, Full on off, Malik jams it out towards mid on and takes the slowest of the Sri Lankan fielders, Malinga on. Single easily taken. |
| 17.5 : N Pradeep to A Ali, Fuller length ball well outside off, Azhar places it to to deep point for a single. |
| 17.6 : N Pradeep to S Malik, On a length outside off, played with an open face to point. |
| 18.1 : T Perera to A Ali, Fullish delivery outside off, Ali strokes it through covers for a run. |
| 18.2 : T Perera to S Malik, Good length delivery around off, Malik hangs deep in the crease and pushes it to covers. |
| 18.3 : T Perera to S Malik, Fullish delivery shaping in from outside off, Shoaib puts in a confident stride forward to defend it solidly. |
| 18.4 : T Perera to S Malik, Short of a length outside off, Malik slashes hard it to get it towards third man. A run taken. |
| 18.5 : T Perera to A Ali, Similar length delivery outside off, pulled with ease to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 18.6 : T Perera to S Malik, Wide! Bouncer but it's too short to trouble the batsman. Wide signaled for height. |
| T Perera to S Malik, Shortish delivery, Malik rises up on his toes and keeps it out. |
| Suranga Lakmal is back into the attack. |
| 19.1 : S Lakmal to A Ali, On a length on off, Ali pushes it to mid off. |
| 19.2 : S Lakmal to A Ali, OUT! Lakmal gets the big fish! Ali was important in this chase but he is out of here now. The bowling change has done the trick. Good length delivery outside off, bounces a touch extra. Ali hangs back but is undone by the zippiness. He looks to keep it out but gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies towards Kusal Mendis at wide first slip. He goes towards his right initially but does well to adjust. Takes it to his left side with a reverse cup. The match is finely poi |
| The skipper, Sarfraz Ahmed comes out to bat. |
| 19.3 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Shortish outside off, Ahmed goes for the cut but is beaten. |
| 19.4 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Short of a length delivery outside off, Ahmed pushes it towards covers where Gunathilaka goes to his right to stop it. |
| 19.6 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Good length outside off, dabbed neatly to third man for a single. |
| Lasith Malinga comes back on to bowl. |
| 20.1 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Starts off with a short delivery on leg stump, Ahmed pulls it to fine leg for a single. |
| 20.2 : L Malinga to S Malik, That's the definition of nearly a toe-crushing yorker. Gets it right in the blockhole as Malik's bat turns in his hands but he manages to keep it out to square leg. A run taken. |
| 20.3 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Wide! Slips this one down the leg side, Ahmed misses his glance. |
| L Malinga to S Ahmed, FOUR! Sweet! Fuller length ball outside off, Ahmed drives it with an open face through point. Good timing on that and he gets the desired result! |
| 20.4 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Confusion but Ahmed survives! The skipper taps this with soft hands to covers and initially calls for a run. Malik responds and keeps on running. Gunathilaka comes across to his left as the wicket-keeper batsman stutters a bit but has to go through eventually. Danushka turns and aims at the bowler's end but misses. Had that hit, Pakistan would have lost another wicket. |
| 20.5 : L Malinga to S Malik, Fullish on off, pushed to mid on off the inner half. |
| 20.6 : L Malinga to S Malik, Risky! Very full delivery, shaping in from around off, Malik shuffles across and jams it out to mid on. |
| 21.1 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Short of a length outside off, run down to third man for a single. |
| 21.2 : S Lakmal to S Malik, On the shorter side of things, played to third man again for another single. |
| 21.3 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, CHANCE OF A RUN OUT! The skipper would have been gone had that hit, unnecessary risk to take at this point in time. He pushes it in front of short mid on and sets off. The fielder there gets to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end. Forces Sarfraz to dive to get in. Misses though so no harm done in the end. |
| 21.4 : S Lakmal to S Malik, Fuller in length pitched outside off, driven through to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 21.5 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 21.6 : S Lakmal to S Malik, Stays right behind the line of this one and keeps it out. |
| 22.1 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Accurate yorker from Malina, on middle, Sarfraz had to be spot on in jamming this one out. Fortunately for him and his side, he was. Nicely done. |
| 22.2 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Full and tailing back in, Sarfraz looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads to square leg. |
| 22.3 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Fires it full yet again, on off, driven straight back down the track. No run taken. |
| 22.4 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, One more right in the blockhole, Malinga spears this on off, Ahmed drills it out to covers. No run taken. |
| 22.5 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Half-volley on off, drives this with the full face of the bat to the mid off fielder. |
| 22.6 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Takes some pace off this and almost get him. Sarfraz is a bit early into the flick shot and chips it in front of the diving short mid-wicket fielder. Very close. Maiden over, which interestingly is the second of the run chase. Both have come from Malinga only. |
| 23.1 : S Lakmal to S Malik, Good length delivery outside off, Malik punches it square to point. |
| 23.2 : S Lakmal to S Malik, Closer to the off pole, Malik cuts it away to point once more. |
| 23.3 : S Lakmal to S Malik, Waits for this one to come to him, plays it very late to third man and picks up one. |
| 23.4 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Fuller in length and straighter in line, Ahmed flicks this away beautifully through mid-wicket. Big boundary out there, he gets it in the gap and hence picks up three runs for it. |
| 23.5 : S Lakmal to S Malik, Decent carry for Lakmal. Hurls it outside off and it's left alone by Shoaib Malik. |
| 23.6 : S Lakmal to S Malik, Malik drives this length ball on the up. Opens his body up a bit but fails to find the gap. Places it straight to cover-point. |
| 24.1 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Venomous yorker from Malinga, on middle, somehow Sarfraz Ahmed jams this one out. Superb delivery, brilliantly bowled and equally well played. |
| 24.2 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Outside the line of off stump, steered down to third man for a single. |
| 24.3 : L Malinga to S Malik, Oh! That's close. Malik walks across and Malinga arrows a yorker on middle and leg, it's however flicked down to fine leg for a run. Bit dangerous to play that kind of shot, especially against a bowler like Malinga. |
| 24.4 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Fuller in length on off, driven through the covers for one. |
| 24.5 : L Malinga to S Malik, OUT! HE'S GONE! Lasith Malinga has dismissed the veteran Shoaib Malik. This is a big wicket, his experience would have really counted in this chase. Rather tame dismissal too if you look at it. It's short and angling down, Malik looks to pull but ends up gloving it behind. Dickwella moves to his left and takes a simple catch. 106 off 151 needed to win now. Dare I say, Sri Lanka are in the driver's seat here. |
| Imad Wasim walks out to the middle next. |
| 24.6 : L Malinga to I Wasim, Wide! Switches the angles and comes from around the wicket to the left-hander, it's fired down the leg side. Wide called. |
| L Malinga to I Wasim, Low full toss well outside off, Wasim is forward as he defends it away in front of covers. |
| Nuwan Pradeep is back. |
| 25.1 : N Pradeep to S Ahmed, Fullish in length outside off, Ahmed looks to drive but off the inner half plays it back down the track. |
| 25.2 : N Pradeep to S Ahmed, Back of a length outside off, punched off the back foot to sweeper cover for one. |
| 25.3 : N Pradeep to I Wasim, FOUR! Exquisite timing! Around the wicket, it's full and there to be hit, Wasim accepts it and drives it crisply through the cover area for a boundary. |
| 25.4 : N Pradeep to I Wasim, OUT! The change in angle has done the trick! He comes back from over the wicket, makes it go away from Imad Wasim on a shorter length and uses the angle to perfection. The left-hander is drawn into playing at it and nicks it. Dickwella collects it in his gloves and another one bites the dust for Pakistan. The game is turning on its head, 100 off 146 needed to win here. |
| The debutant, Fahim Ashraf is the next man in. He walks out into the heat of the battle. Pressure situation, does he have it in him to stand tall? |
| 25.5 : N Pradeep to F Ashraf, Bowls it full and makes it come back in, Ashraf drives it to mid on. |
| 25.6 : N Pradeep to F Ashraf, Good length delivery in the corridor outside off, Ashraf has nothing to do with it. |
| 26.1 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Short delivery on middle and off, pulled away along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 26.2 : L Malinga to F Ashraf, Malinga from around the wicket angles it in on middle and off, Ashraf with a closed face works it to mid-wicket. |
| 26.3 : L Malinga to F Ashraf, Slow, dipping yorker on the stumps, worked away once more to mid-wicket. |
| 26.4 : L Malinga to F Ashraf, Bouncer on off, Fahim looks to pull but misses as the bounce gets too big on him. |
| 26.5 : L Malinga to F Ashraf, SIX! Well played, young Fahim! Top shot to play under such pressure. It's short and angling in, Ashraf swivels and pulls it over fine leg for a biggie. There was a fielder placed there for this very reason but it doesn't matter, he can only watch it sail over him. |
| 26.6 : L Malinga to F Ashraf, Short ball very close to off, cramping Fahim for room but he still manages to run it down to third man for one. |
| 27.1 : N Pradeep to F Ashraf, FOUR! Pulls and gets another boundary. Short on leg, Ashraf pulls but gets a top edge this time. Gets it fine enough and picks up a one bounce boundary. |
| 27.2 : N Pradeep to F Ashraf, Outside off and Ashraf plays this behind point for a run. |
| 27.3 : N Pradeep to S Ahmed, Short of a good length, outside off, Ahmed punches this behind point. Third man cuts it off and in the meantime, the batsmen take two. |
| 27.4 : N Pradeep to S Ahmed, Full ball attacking the stumps, flicked to the right of mid on. Malinga is slow in getting to the ball which allows the batsmen to cross over. |
| 27.5 : N Pradeep to F Ashraf, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicketkeeper. |
| 27.6 : N Pradeep to F Ashraf, FOUR LEG BYES! Short delivery down leg, Ashraf looks to get out of it at the last second but the ball goes off his right forearm and lobs over the keeper's head. Races away behind to the fence and that will be a boundary. |
| Drinks break! Sri Lanka have come back tremendously well into the game. Picked up wickets in quick succession and left Pakistan in real trouble. Everything rests on this current pair of Sarfraz and Ashraf. A wicket now and Pakistan could be staring down the barrel. 80 runs required to win off 132 deliveries. What's going to happen? |
| Asela Gunaratne comes back for a bowl. |
| 28.1 : A Gunaratne to S Ahmed, Starts off from around the wicket and angles it across Sarfraz, the Pakistan skipper leans ahead and flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 28.2 : A Gunaratne to S Ahmed, Shorter in length on the stumps, worked away to mid-wicket again. |
| 28.3 : A Gunaratne to S Ahmed, Floats it up on leg, swept fine down the leg side. |
| 28.4 : A Gunaratne to S Ahmed, RUN OUT CHANCE GOES BEGGING! Risky, risky risky run from Sarfraz Ahmed. He works it to the right of the short mid-wicket fielder and sets off. Dhananjaya de Silva is the man there, he runs to his right and fires it at the bowler's end. Misses but had he hit, Ahmed was gone. |
| 28.5 : A Gunaratne to F Ashraf, Positions himself well behind the line and meets it with the full face of the bat. |
| 28.6 : A Gunaratne to F Ashraf, Darted full on middle, dug out back down the track to end the over. |
| Thisara Perera comes into the attack now. |
| 29.1 : T Perera to S Ahmed, Length delivery to get things going, it's punched back down the track for no run. |
| 29.2 : T Perera to S Ahmed, On a good length again, around off, Ahmed gets a leading edge through cover-point and takes a single. |
| 29.3 : T Perera to F Ashraf, Back of a length around off, Fahim stands tall and pulls it along the ground through the vacant spaces in the mid-wicket area. Will pick up a couple of runs for doing so. |
| 29.4 : T Perera to F Ashraf, Pushes it to the covers and rotates strike. |
| There is an appeal for a run out against Fahim Ashraf. The umpire has referred it upstairs. |
| 29.5 : T Perera to S Ahmed, OUT! Completely against the run of play, Fahim Ashraf has been dismissed. Quite unfortunate really. Thisara Perera bowls a fuller length delivery on off, Sarfraz drives it straight back. The bowler sticks his right hand out and gets his fingertips on it. It deflects off 'em and goes on to knock the bails over. Sri Lanka appeal as Ashraf was backing up a bit. It's referred upstairs and replays show that Fahim fails to plant his bat back in time, is run out by the narro |
| Mohammad Amir walks out to bat. |
| 29.6 : T Perera to S Ahmed, Stays back to this one and defends it out. |
| Danushka Gunathilaka to roll his arm over now. |
| 30.1 : D Gunathilaka to M Amir, A touch short outside off, cut through point for a run. |
| 30.2 : D Gunathilaka to S Ahmed, Spinning into the pads, worked to the leg side. |
| 30.3 : D Gunathilaka to S Ahmed, Fullish on middle, Ahmed pushes it down the track. |
| 30.4 : D Gunathilaka to S Ahmed, Flatter delivery on off, Sarfraz punches it down to long on for a run. |
| 30.5 : D Gunathilaka to M Amir, Floated on off, Amir pushes at it but gets it off the inner half to mid-wicket. |
| 30.6 : D Gunathilaka to M Amir, A chirpy appeal for an LBW turned down! Coming in with the arm, Amir looks to defend it but misses to get rapped on the pads. A confident shout but it is turned down. That was heading down leg. |
| 31.1 : T Perera to S Ahmed, Short of a length outside off, Ahmed cuts it behind point for a run. Calls foe the second as the throw comes to the keeper but he makes it in time. |
| 31.2 : T Perera to S Ahmed, Similar length delivery outside off, Ahmed slaps it hard but finds the man at short extra cover. |
| 31.3 : T Perera to S Ahmed, Dug in short, Sarfraz pulls it through square leg for a single. |
| 31.4 : T Perera to M Amir, Fullish delivery outside off, Amir strides forward confidently and defends it to covers. |
| 31.5 : T Perera to M Amir, Stays back to the length delivery and defends it solidly down the track. |
| 31.6 : T Perera to M Amir, Good length delivery on off, Amir punches it back to Perera. |
| 32.1 : A Gunaratne to S Ahmed, Slower delivery on middle, Ahmed stays back and punches it to covers. |
| 32.2 : A Gunaratne to S Ahmed, Fullish delivery, pushed to mid on off the front foot. |
| 32.3 : A Gunaratne to S Ahmed, Bowled at a slower pace on off, Ahmed strokes it back to Gunaratne who stops it in his followthrough. |
| 32.4 : A Gunaratne to S Ahmed, Slower outside off, Ahmed eases it to long on for a single. |
| 32.5 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 32.6 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, Full toss this time, Amir mistimes it to mid on. Failed to capitalize on that. A tidy over from Asela, only a run from it. |
| Nuwan Pradeep returns. |
| 33.1 : N Pradeep to S Ahmed, LBW appeal denied! Back of a length delivery around off, jags back in. Ahmed hops back and looks to work it through square leg. Misses to get pinged on the pads. A confident appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Mathews thinks about the review but decides not to take it. The Hawk Eye shows that it would have gone over the leg stump. |
| 33.2 : N Pradeep to S Ahmed, Wide down the leg side, No trouble at all for the batsman. Wide signalled by the umpire. |
| N Pradeep to S Ahmed, Fullish and tailing in, flicked through square leg for a run. |
| 33.3 : N Pradeep to M Amir, Full length delivery outside off, Mohammad strokes it to extra cover. |
| 33.4 : N Pradeep to M Amir, On a length outside off, Amir punches it past the diving cover fielder. The batsmen turn back for the second as the throw is at the bowler's end. Tight run but Ahmed makes it safely. |
| 33.5 : N Pradeep to M Amir, Good length delivery slanting across from Amir. He defends it with an angled bat to point. |
| Leg gully in place now. |
| 33.6 : N Pradeep to M Amir, On a length outside off, driven through cover-point for a single. |
| 34.1 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, Fullish on middle, Amir clips it off the inner half to mid on. |
| 34.2 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, Close shave! Quicker delivery outside off, Amir goes for the cut but gets an outside edge that lands just short of the slip fielder. |
| 34.3 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, Fullish around off, Mohammad eases it to extra cover. |
| 34.4 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, A bit short and it allows Amir enough time to rock back and punch it to deep point. A single taken. |
| 34.5 : A Gunaratne to S Ahmed, On a length this time, Sarfraz hangs back and punches it to wide long on for a run. |
| 34.6 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, Slow through the air on the pads, Amir flicks it to mid on. Pakistan need 62 runs from 90 balls with three wickets in hand. We are headed for a close finish. |
| Thisara Perera called back to bowl. |
| 35.1 : T Perera to S Ahmed, Fullish delivery outside off, Ahmed puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 35.2 : T Perera to S Ahmed, Full length delivery outside off, Sarfraz creams it through covers. He has pushed in the gap and by the time the fielder comes across and throws the ball, two runs are taken. |
| 35.3 : T Perera to S Ahmed, Short delivery on middle, Ahmed rises on his toes and pulls it through backward square leg for a single. |
| 35.4 : T Perera to M Amir, Sloppy from Sri Lanka! Can't afford this in such a close encounter. Amir taps it to point and sets off. Gunathilaka dives to his right and makes a half-stop to parry it to his right. The short third man fielder runs in and has an unnecessary shy at the bowler's end. It misses and there is no one to back up. Concedes four extra runs. |
| 35.5 : T Perera to S Ahmed, Wide! Bouncer outside off, Ahmed ducks under it. Wide signaled for height. |
| T Perera to S Ahmed, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 35.6 : T Perera to S Ahmed, Length delivery on middle, Sarfraz stays back and defends it to the leg side. |
| Nuwan Pradeep will bowl out. |
| 36.1 : N Pradeep to M Amir, Short delivery on off, Amir sits under the bumper. He has been peppered with a lot of short stuff but the Sri Lankan bowlers have been a bit off target. |
| 36.2 : N Pradeep to M Amir, Well played! Back of a length delivery outside off, Amir punches it through point. The fielder hares after it to cut it off. Three runs taken. Pakistan need 50 more runs. If they bat out 50 overs, they will win this one. |
| 36.3 : N Pradeep to S Ahmed, Short of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 36.4 : N Pradeep to S Ahmed, Full length delivery on off, Ahmed leans into it and just strokes it past the bowler. Lakmal moves across to his right from mid on and puts in a desperate dive to parry it towards mid off. Keeps it down to a run. |
| 36.5 : N Pradeep to M Amir, On a length in line of the stumps, Amir hangs back to defend. |
| 36.6 : N Pradeep to M Amir, Length delivery on leg stump, Amir hangs back and keeps it out. |
| Suranga Lakmal to have a go again. |
| 37.1 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, FOUR! Ahmed is a really good cutter of the ball and he gets the desired result! Gets a shortish delivery outside off and slaps it behind point. Gunaratne hares to his right, puts in the dive but fails to stop it. |
| 37.2 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Back of a length ball around off, punched off the back foot to cover-point. |
| 37.3 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 37.4 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Good length delivery on off, Ahmed hops back and turns it to mid on. |
| 37.5 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Back of a length outside off, Ahmed dabs it neatly to third man. A run taken. |
| 37.6 : S Lakmal to M Amir, Good length delivery around the pads, Amir tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| Amir and Sarfraz are having a bit of water. And with that, Lasith Malinga has come on to bowl. |
| 38.1 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Dug in short but going down leg, Sarfraz lets it go. |
| 38.2 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Wide! Slower delivery that goes wrong. Down the leg side, Ahmed misses his glance. |
| L Malinga to S Ahmed, Dropped! Can you believe it? It is a dolly but Perera makes a mess of it. Slower delivery on a fullish length on off, Ahmed chips it uppishly towards Thisara Perera at short mid on. He runs forward, gets hurried into it and ends up spilling it. Malinga is an angry man and he shows his emotions. It is of the key man in the run chase, the skipper. How costly will it prove to be? |
| 38.3 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Low full toss down the leg side, tickled to fine leg for a single. |
| 38.4 : L Malinga to M Amir, Slow once again and very full on off, Amir carves it to point. |
| 38.5 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Full length delivery on off, Ahmed drives it crisply to Malinga who manages to get a boot on it to parry it to the mid off fielder. Saves a boundary for his side. |
| 38.6 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Slow once again and full on off, Ahmed is foxed by it as he chips it uppishly towards mid on. |
| 39.1 : S Lakmal to M Amir, Good length delivery outside off, Amir runs it down to third man for a single. A loud cheer from the crowd as Sarfraz is back on strike. |
| 39.2 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Length delivery around off, Sarfraz shuffles a touch and defends it to the on side. |
| 39.3 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Good length ball in line of the stumps, Ahmed stays back and defends it down the track. |
| 39.4 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Bouncer on middle, Ahmed pulls it through front of square on the leg side. A run taken. |
| 39.5 : S Lakmal to M Amir, Lakmal comes around the wicket and bowls another bouncer, Amir sits under it. |
| 39.6 : S Lakmal to M Amir, Full and down the leg side, Amir looks to flick it but is hit on the pads. |
| Powerplay 3 has been signaled by the umpire. Maximum of five fielders are allowed outside the circle till the end of the innings. |
| 40.1 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Dropped! Sri Lanka are not holding onto the chances! It was a tough chance but they need to be taken. Dug in short on middle and leg, Ahmed miscues his pull over square leg. The substitute, Prasanna comes running in, puts in a desperate dive in front, gets his hands to the ball but fails to hold on. Ahmed is a lucky man, he gets another reprieve. |
| 40.2 : L Malinga to M Amir, Slower delivery around off, Amir drives it through covers. Two runs taken. |
| 40.3 : L Malinga to M Amir, Malinga bowls this one right in the blockhole, Amir keeps it out. |
| 40.4 : L Malinga to M Amir, Four Byes! Schoolboy error from Dickwella. Slower delivery outside off, Amir lets it go. Dickwella kneels and looks to stop it but the ball hits his knee and goes between his legs. The ball rolls towards the fence and the fielder fails to stop it. |
| 40.5 : L Malinga to M Amir, Another misfield! Fullish outside off, driven towards extra cover where the fielder makes a mess of it. Concedes a run. |
| 40.6 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Slower delivery on middle, Ahmed defends it down the track. |
| 41.1 : S Lakmal to M Amir, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 41.2 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, FOUR! Slips this on the pads, Sarfraz just tickles this fine down the leg side. It races away to the fence and that will be a boundary. |
| 41.3 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Fuller on the stumps, Sarfraz wants to drive this straight back gets it off the inside half to square leg for a single. |
| 50-run stand up between Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Amir! |
| 41.4 : S Lakmal to M Amir, Worked it off his pads in front square on the leg side for one. |
| 41.5 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, FOUR! Fifty for Sarfraz Ahmed! He's been given lives, but he's done his part by taking full advantage of it. Opens his body up a bit and drives it through the left of mid off for a boundary. |
| 7th ODI fifty for Sarfraz Ahmed! |
| 41.6 : S Lakmal to S Ahmed, Driven this to mid on for nothing. 20 runs needed off 48. Pakistan are almost there. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva to bowl. |
| 42.1 : de Silva to M Amir, From around the wicket, he bowls it around off, Amir plays it back to him. |
| 42.2 : de Silva to M Amir, Sliding on middle, Amir goes back and tucks it square on the leg side. |
| 42.3 : de Silva to M Amir, Flatter and shorter outside off, pushed to the covers for a quick single. |
| 42.4 : de Silva to S Ahmed, Darts this one on the pads, punched straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 42.5 : de Silva to S Ahmed, Bit streaky form Sarfraz but he does amazingly well in the end. Waits for this short ball going across him and steers it to short third man for a quick single. |
| 42.6 : de Silva to M Amir, Tossed up outside off, eased through extra cover for an easy run. 17 to win off 42. |
| Asela Gunaratne returns to the attack. |
| 43.1 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, Floats it up on off from around the wicket, Mohammad Amir is forward in defense. |
| 43.2 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, Outside off on a length, punched to point off the back foot. |
| 43.3 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, Amir looks to push this to the covers but ends up getting an inside edge to mid-wicket. Runs to the other end as there is a shy at Sarfraz's end. Misses and the run is completed. |
| 43.4 : A Gunaratne to S Ahmed, Full ball which is driven to long on for a single. |
| 43.5 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, Straighter one on off, Amir is forward in defense and gets an inside edge on the back pad. The keeper appeals but then stops seeing he's the only one doing it. |
| 43.6 : A Gunaratne to M Amir, FOUR! Go 'head, Mohammad Amir! Do it for your team. What a hit. Sees this full delivery and superbly drives it through the covers for a boundary. In 36 balls, the Men in Green need just 11 runs to win. |
| 44.1 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Full on middle and leg, flicked away on the leg side for a single. |
| 44.2 : L Malinga to M Amir, Wide! Short but it's too short, the umpire signals wide. |
| L Malinga to M Amir, Short of a length outside off, taps it down in front of point and completes a brisk single. |
| 44.3 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Full toss on the pads. Sarfraz flicks this towards fine leg. Runs the first one hard and as a result, is able to come back for the second. Excellent running. |
| 44.4 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, Slow dipping full toss on middle and leg, whipped away behind square on the leg side for two more. Just a boundary away now, Pakistan. |
| 44.5 : L Malinga to S Ahmed, FOUR! PAKISTAN ARE THROUGH! Sarfraz Ahmed has seen his side over the line and that's a fantastic victory for Micky Arthur's men. Short and outside off, Sarfraz ramps it across the third man fence for a boundary. He runs to celebrate with his teammates, then kneels down to thank the Almighty. Superb stuff. PAKISTAN WIN BY 3 WICKETS! |
| Pakistan have held their nerves to come out victorious in this knockout encounter. The jubilation on the faces of Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Amir is evident and the Men in Green book their spot for the semi-final. Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali took their side to a good start and laid the platform. However, the Islanders fought back emphatically. They slipped from 74/0 to 162/7 and it looked like Pakistan's unpredictability will come back to haunt them. |
| However, Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Amir were resilient and battled it out in the middle. The former survived a few run out chances and he was dropped on two occasions as well. Schoolboy errors from the Lankans they were and that let the Sarfraz off the hook. The skipper batted sensibly and he was supported well with Amir who kept on rotating the strike. The unbeaten 75-run stand between them sealed the deal for Pakistan. The Sri Lankan bowlers tried hard but their fielders let them down today. |
| Pakistan skipper and Man of the Match, Sarfraz Ahmed says he wants to thank the Almighty first up. Adds he can't believe they won and how unbelievably well Mohammad Amir played. Mentions he told him (Amir) not to worry about the score and just to play his natural game. States the situation at one point was very tough, but seeing Amir play so confidently helped him relieve some pressure off. Thanks the Almighty once more for the victory in this game. Continues to say that the bowlers bowled reall |
| Angelo Mathews says it was a seesaw kind of a game. Adds Pakistan held their nerve and they are deserved winners. Feels it was a funny wicket to play on, had runs on the board and the bowlers were brilliant, but unfortunately dropped a few catches which cost them. States he's very proud of the boys for fighting the way they did, despite having only 236 to defend. Rues the dropped chances again. Reckons they got off to a good start but lost wickets in the middle. Ends by saying it is an inexperie |
| So that's it from us for today. Three Asian teams have qualified for the semi-finals along with the host nation. Sri Lanka will be disappointed as they had their moments in the game but failed to capitalize. So, that sets us up for two thrilling knockout encounters. England will first take on Pakistan at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on 14th June at 1030 local (0930 GMT). That will be followed by the clash between Bangladesh and India in Birmingham the next day. Join us for all the action. Till |
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