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SL beat PAK by 64 runs | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match - Commentary
Sri Lanka in Pakistan, 3 T20I Series, 2019
Date: Oct 05, 2019 Start Time: 19:00 IST | 13:30 GMT | 18:30 LocalVenue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
RCB
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Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Match - T20I Commentary
166 to win then for Pakistan. Easy one? Tough ask for Sri Lanka to defend this with the dew. Wishing them all the best...
Pakistan were inconsistent with the ball, perhaps struggling to adjust to the dew. Hasnain was expensive but eventually ended up taking 3 wickets. Imad Wasim was the man responsible for the choke, going at 6 an over, while Amir was brilliant too.
Gunathilaka's wicket was the injection Pakistan needed as they came back nicely after that. No one batsman managed to stay for long in the middle or score that quickly. They could just cross 160, which on this surface, with the dew, looks to be 40 runs short at least.
It was a solid start from the visitors as they raced to an 84-run stand for the opening wicket. Their first 50-run opening partnership in T20Is in 2019. Gunathilaka was going bonkers, taking the attack to Pakistan but he kind of got subdued after the Powerplay. That affected the scoring slightly and eventually, he got out.
Excellent comeback from Pakistan. At one stage, it seemed like Sri Lanka could have reached 200. But some smart bowling restricted the Lankans.
Mohammad Amir to Wanindu Hasaranga. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for one more. SRI LANKA FINISH ON 165/5!
Mohammad Amir to Isuru Udana. Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Mohammad Amir to Wanindu Hasaranga. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.
Mohammad Amir to Wanindu Hasaranga. A short ball, Wanindu looks to pull but misses and is hit on the helmet. The players ask the batsman whether he is fine and thankfully, he is.
Mohammad Amir to Isuru Udana. On middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Mohammad Amir to Isuru Udana. Landed outside off, slammed through point for a couple.
Mohammad Hasnain to Wanindu Hasaranga. FOUR! Full and outside off, Hasaranga looks to go over the top but is cramped for room. The ball takes the top edge and goes over mid off who is inside the circle and the ball races to the fence.
Mohammad Hasnain to Isuru Udana. Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Mohammad Hasnain to Wanindu Hasaranga. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Mohammad Hasnain to Wanindu Hasaranga. No hat-trick. Full and outside off, Hasaranga looks to drive but misses.
Wanindu Hasaranga comes in at number 7, replacing Jayasuriya.
Mohammad Hasnain to Shehan Jayasuriya. OUT! Catch taken by the other returning man, Ahmed Shehzad this time. A short ball, outside off, Shehan looks to go over the off side but mistimes it, as the bat turns in his hand. The ball goes high in the air and Ahmed Shahzad runs in from cover to take a simple catch. HAT-TRICK FOR HASNAIN!
Isuru Udana walks in at number 6, replacing Shanaka.
Mohammad Hasnain to Dasun Shanaka. OUT! Watch out, collision but catch taken! Oh dear... the returning men, Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shahzad collide with each other. But the catch is taken cleanly. Hasnain gets his second of the evening. He bowls one on a length and Shanaka goes for a wild swing but the ball goes into the night sky. Umar Akmal at long on goes for the catch in the meantime Ahmed Shehzad runs across to him from his left and collides with him. However, while Shehzad falls, Akmal manages to hold his balance and take the catch. Superb concentration. The Sri Lankan skipper departs.
Mohammad Hasnain is back on. 3-0-31-1 so far.
Mohammad Amir to Shehan Jayasuriya. Full and outside off, driven straight back.
Mohammad Amir to Shehan Jayasuriya. NOT OUT. Don't know what the keeper heard. That too in this loud din. A length ball outside off, Jayasuriya gets across to play the reverse pull but misses. No one apart from the keeper hears any noise and he wants to get it checked. Nope. Nothing on Ultra Edge. Waste of a review.
UDRS! Sarfaraz reckons that Jayasuriya is caught behind. Takes the review. Nothing on Ultra Edge.
Mohammad Amir to Dasun Shanaka. Full and on middle, paddled to short fine leg for a quick run.
Mohammad Amir to Shehan Jayasuriya. Outside off, tapped towards cover for a quick single.
Mohammad Amir to Dasun Shanaka. Down the leg side, Dasun misses his flick and is hit on the pads. A quick leg bye taken.
Mohammad Amir to Dasun Shanaka. Outside off, Shanaka looks to steer it to third man but misses.
Faheem Ashraf to Dasun Shanaka. Outside off, steered through point for a run. 15 from the over!
Faheem Ashraf to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! CRASH! That sounded sweet. Short and outside off, Shanaka gets on top of the bounce and pulls it over mid-wicket! Sarfaraz walks all the way, sorry, runs all the way towards his bowlers and advices him in the ear. Not shouting, it seems.
Faheem Ashraf to Dasun Shanaka. SIX! Massive! A length ball, a bit too straight, Shanaka gets under it and sends it over long on!
Faheem Ashraf to Shehan Jayasuriya. Outside off, edged away for a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Shehan Jayasuriya. Direct hit and Shanaka gone! But no direct hit and Dasun is in. Full and outside off, SJ pushes it towards cover and sets off for a quick single. Ahmed Shahzad takes aim and has a shy at the bowler's end and Shanaka was halfway in the middle, after being called for a run. But the fielder misses.
Faheem Ashraf to Dasun Shanaka. Fuller one outside off, Shanaka pushes it to mid off for a single.
Shehan Jayasuriya walks in next at number 5, replacing Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Faheem Ashraf returns as well. 2-0-16-0 so far.
Mohammad Hasnain to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. OUT! LBW! Another wicket. Pakistan are closing this innings nicely. 200 looks far far far far far far farfetched from here. FIRST T20I WICKET FOR HASNAIN. A near-perfect yorker, around middle and leg, Rajapaksa misses it and also fails to take his boot out of the way. Is hit right on the right shoe and the umpire does not take long to acknowledge the LBW appeal. Ball Tracker confirms as well.
Mohammad Hasnain to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Outside off, a play and a miss.
Mohammad Hasnain to Dasun Shanaka. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for one.
Mohammad Hasnain to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.
Mohammad Hasnain to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. SIX! Nicely struck! Right off the middle. A length ball outside off, Rajapaksa backs away to the leg side and lofts it cleanly over wide long off!
Mohammad Hasnain to Dasun Shanaka. Around off, tapped to the off side for a single.
Mohammad Amir to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. A short ball, pulled uppishly towards deep square leg.
Mohammad Amir to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. FOUR! Full and down the leg side, Rajapaksa tickles it towards fine leg and the ball races away!
In comes the skipper. Dasun Shanaka walks in at number 4, replacing Avishka.
Mohammad Amir to Avishka Fernando. OUT! Bull's eye and Avishka is run out! Shadab Khan, you beauty! Superb fielding. Full and outside off, Avishka drives this towards mid off and sets off for a single. The bowler leaps to stick his hand out and parries it towards mid off. Shadab Khan comes running in from there and gets to the ball quickly. Now, the batsman has to run around the bowler, hence, he loses some time. Despite getting overbalanced, Shadab scores a direct hit at the bowler's end.
Mohammad Amir to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa skips down the track to the length ball and pushes it to long off for a single.
Mohammad Amir to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Fuller one on off, Rajapaksa strokes one down the ground to long on. The batsmen get a couple.
Mohammad Amir to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Slower one outside off, Rajapaksa gets cramped on the cut and the ball goes past the outside edge into the mitts of the keeper.
Mohammad Amir returns. 1-0-8-0 so far.
Mohammad Hasnain to Avishka Fernando. EDGED AND FOUR! Fuller outside off, Avishka throws his bat at it but ends up getting a thick outside edge. The ball flies high and wide of the man at third man. It bounces just inside the ropes and goes away for a boundary. Sri Lanka won't mind how they come as long as they keep coming.
Mohammad Hasnain to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Fuller on off, Bhanuka comes down the track and hits it hard but there is a man at long off so just a single.
Mohammad Hasnain to Avishka Fernando. Hits the deck hard on off, Fernando pulls it towards deep square leg and takes a single.
Mohammad Hasnain to Avishka Fernando. Another poor fielding. Free run this. Length delivery on off, Avishka flat-bats it wide of extra cover and calls for a quick run. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. The backup is too far behind and they get another run. There was no need for the attempted direct hit there.
Mohammad Hasnain to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Good length ball on off, Rajapaksa pushes it towards backward point and calls for a quick run. Iftikhar gets to the ball quickly and has a shy at the bowler's end. It hits Bhanuka on his arm but all's well as it is not a nasty blow.
Mohammad Hasnain to Avishka Fernando. Back of a length ball on off, Avishka pulls it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Mohammad Hasnain is back on. 1-0-12-0, his figures in this game.
Imad Wasim to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa cuts this short delivery outside off only to find the fielder at point.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. Fuller one on the pads, Fernando flicks it off his pads to mid-wicket for a single.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. Fernando goes to sweep on this fuller one but fails to lay bat on ball and gets rapped on pads. No real appeal from the bowler.
Imad Wasim to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Flatter one outside off, Rajapaksa pushes it to covers for a single.
Imad Wasim to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. FOUR! Innovative from Rajapaksa. He gets down on his knees and plays the scoop over the keeper's head for a boundary. The debutant looks to be in high confidence here. He is playing his shots.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. Flatter one on middle, Fernando flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.
Imad Wasim returns. 3-0-17-0 so far.
Shadab Khan to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Outside off, Bhanuka looks to cut but misses.
Shadab Khan to Avishka Fernando. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Shadab Khan to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Outside off, chopped down to short third man for a single.
Shadab Khan to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. SIX! Clean strike. Shadab goes full and Rajapaksa slogs sweeps him over the mid-wicket fence to fetch him his first six in the T20Is. Shadab is all over the park.
Shadab Khan to Avishka Fernando. Toseed up delivery outside off, Fernando plays it to point for a quick single.
Shadab Khan to Avishka Fernando. Flatter one on middle, Fernando skips down the track only to play it back to the bowler.
Iftikhar Ahmed to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Short and outside off, cut through point for a couple.
Iftikhar Ahmed to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Another slider, on middle, Bhanuka looks to work it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. Iftikhar appeals but this time his captain does not support him. Probably going down leg.
Iftikhar Ahmed to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Outside off, the quicker one, Bhanuka pushes but misses.
Iftikhar Ahmed to Avishka Fernando. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Iftikhar Ahmed to Avishka Fernando. NOT OUT. Pakistan just about escape losing a review. Full and around middle, Fernando looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. The bowler appeals and his skipper supports him. But nothing from the umpire. Referred upstairs and replays show that the ball is clipping the outer half of leg stump.
Review time! Sarfaraz is confident that Fernando is a goner. The umpire has not given it and he takes the referral. Here comes Ball Tracker. Clipping leg stump. Review safe, batsman also safe.
Iftikhar Ahmed to Avishka Fernando. FOUR! Bad ball to start. Short and down the leg side, Avishka pulls it to the fine leg fence! 'AARAMSE, AARAMSE!' yells Sarfaraz. Probably Iftikhar is bowling too quick.
Shadab Khan to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Flatter one and outside off, Rajapaksa defends it off the back foot to the off side.
Shadab Khan to Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Iftikhar Ahmed to bowl now.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa walks in at number 3, replacing Gunathilaka. One of the two Bhanukas who are debuting tonight.
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. OUT! LBW! That's an excellent umpiring decision. Gunathilaka departs after playing a handy knock. Shadab gets the first breakthrough. He tosses one up on middle and invites the batsman to go for the sweep. Danushka obliges and plays the sweep only to miss it and get rapped on the pads. As soon as the ball hit the pads, Khan went in appeal and the umpire raised his finger in a flash. Gunathilaka after consulting his partner goes for the review. It was a legitimate delivery pitching on middle and turning in. Ball Tracker shows it to be umpire's call, clipping the leg stump and Gunathilaka has to take a long walk back to the pavillion. End of an enterprising innings. Chance for Pakistan to make a comeback?
LBW! Shadab has taken a wicket. But Gunathilaka has taken the review too. Pitching outside leg? Nope. Or looks not. Nothing on the Ultra Edge. Clipping the leg stump, umpire's call! Review safe, Gunathilaka unsafe!
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. Good running between the wickets. This time Gunathilaka is successful to cut it through point and till the ball gets cleaned up in the deep by the fielder the batsmen cross for a couple.
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. Flatter on middle, Gunathilaka looks to go through the off side only to wear it on the pads. There is a muted appeal from the bowler but the umpire is unmoved.
Shadab Khan to Avishka Fernando. Flatter one outside off, Avishka makes room to go over the off side but can only get it to covers for a single.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. On middle and leg, flicked away for one.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. Outside off, punched towards the off side.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Imad Wasim to Danushka Gunathilaka. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. Outside off, punched down to long on for a run.
Imad Wasim to Danushka Gunathilaka. On middle, flicked through the leg side for a single.
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. Fuller one on off, Danushka drives it to long on for a single.
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. DROPPED AND SIX! Shadab goes short and Gunathilaka pulls it superbly through mid-wicket. Iftikhar Ahmed stationed there, gets to the ball but loses his balance. He takes the catch but then the ball spills out of his palms and lands on the other side of the ropes, to hand Gunathilaka a six. He also reaches his 2nd T20I fifty.
Shadab Khan to Avishka Fernando. Flatter on middle, Fernando works it to mid off for a single.
Shadab Khan to Avishka Fernando. Tossed up outside off, Fernando defends it to point.
Shadab Khan to Avishka Fernando. Flatter one on off, Fernando pushes it to covers.
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. Leg spinner on middle, Gunathilaka works it to mid-wicket for a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Danushka Gunathilaka. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Danushka Gunathilaka. Outside off, played straight to point.
Faheem Ashraf to Avishka Fernando. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total.
Faheem Ashraf to Danushka Gunathilaka. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Danushka Gunathilaka. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Faheem Ashraf to Avishka Fernando. Outside off, Avishka pushes it towards point and sets off for a single. The bowler himself goes after the ball and flicks it to the right side and hits the stumps without looking. Jonty Rhodes, Ricky Ponting, Herschelle Gibbs, Michael Clarke and my playstation would be happy with that. Hitting the stumps without looking.
Faheem Ashraf returns. 1-0-12-0 so far.
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. Down the leg side, Danushka misses his flick and is hit on the pads. 14 from the over and Sri Lanka end the Powerplay on 64/0!
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! The runs continue to flow! Full and down the leg side, Gunathilaka gets down and sweeps it perfectly between short fine leg and square leg!
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. STUMPING MISSED! How costly will this be for Pakistan? Khan bowls a leg spinner and the ball spins past the inside edge of Gunathilaka and goes between the bat-pad gap. Ahmed fails to gather it cleanly and the ball hits his gloves and lobs in the air. But he is unable to sight the ball only to grant a life to Danushka. The fielding woes continue for the hosts.
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. Down the leg side, helped through mid-wicket for a couple.
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! This is short now and Gunathilaka pulls this through mid-wicket!
Shadab Khan to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! Welcome into the attack! Full and down the leg side, Gunathilaka gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary!
Shadab Khan into the attack.
Mohammad Amir to Avishka Fernando. Outside off, Avishka steers this towards third man but it goes off the edge. Sarfaraz flings himself to his right and stops it on the bounce.
Mohammad Amir to Danushka Gunathilaka. A length ball outside off, coming in, slower in pace, off cutter, Gunathilaka looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball deflects to the off side and the batsmen take a leg bye. 50-RUN OPENING STAND IS UP, Sri Lanka's first in T20Is in 2019!
Mohammad Amir to Danushka Gunathilaka. Outside off, pushed towards cover for a quick couple.
Mohammad Amir to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! Brilliant bowling but excellent batting too! A yorker outside off, but Gunathilaka gets his bat down in time and squeezes this through the vacant slip region to the third man fence!
Mohammad Amir to Avishka Fernando. On a length, outside leg, tucked through mid-wicket for a single.
Mohammad Amir to Danushka Gunathilaka. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Mohammad Amir to bowl now.
Mohammad Hasnain to Danushka Gunathilaka. Length and outside off, Danushka opens the face of the bat and runs this down to third man for a single.
Mohammad Hasnain to Danushka Gunathilaka. Danushka innovates but does not get the result as he missed his scoop on this length ball down the leg side. No wide signalled as the batsman got across.
Mohammad Hasnain to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! LOVELY! Hasnain changes his angle but there is no change in the result! Full and outside off, Gunathilaka leans and drives this through the covers!
Mohammad Hasnain to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! Excellent timing. A change in angle but no change in fortune for Hasnain as he bowls a half volley outside off and Gunathilaka drives it through covers and the ball goes to the fence like a rocket.
Mohammad Hasnain to Danushka Gunathilaka. WIDE! Once again down the leg and umpire signals wide.
Mohammad Hasnain to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! LEG BYES! On a length and on middle, Danushka looks to go for a pull over the cow corner but the length is not ideal for the shot. Instead he wears a blow on the thigh pads and the ball runs to the third man fence in no time.
Mohammad Hasnain to Danushka Gunathilaka. WIDE! Wayward from Hasnain. He bowls on a length but the line is down leg. Umpire calls it a wide.
Mohammad Hasnain to Avishka Fernando. Back of a length outside off, Avishka guides it uppishly through point and takes a single.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. Tossed up on middle, Avishka works it to mid-wicket and retains the strike.
Imad Wasim to Danushka Gunathilaka. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Imad Wasim to Danushka Gunathilaka. EDGED, FOUR! No slip and Pakistan pay the price. Landed outside off, the quicker delivery, Gunathilaka looks to push but the ball skids off the deck and ekes out an outside edge. No slip present and the ball races to the third man fence.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. Loopy delivery outside off, Avishka pushes it to backward point and hares for a quick single. The batsmen get the run despite a direct hit at the striker's end.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. Full and straight, pushed towards mid on.
Imad Wasim to Danushka Gunathilaka. Landed around off, tapped towards point for a quick single.
Faheem Ashraf to Danushka Gunathilaka. On a length outside off, punched towards cover where Ahmed Shehzad fields but then slips. Clearly, dew is omnipresent. A single taken due to the misfield. 12 from the over.
Faheem Ashraf to Danushka Gunathilaka. Full and around off, driven back to the bowler.
Faheem Ashraf to Danushka Gunathilaka. FOUR! Now Gunathilaka joins the fun. Ashraf is guilty of overpitching it and bowls it in the zone of Danushka. Gunathilaka skips down the track and clobbers it past mid off as the ball races to the fence like a tracer bullet.
Faheem Ashraf to Danushka Gunathilaka. 'The less said about the fielding effort, the better', chides Ramiz Raja on air. Full and outside off, Gunathilaka comes forward and pushes it towards mid off. It is a quick and risky single but Mohammad Hasnain charging in slips and returns a wild throw, which goes north, well wide of Sarfaraz, to third man! First sign of dew? The batsmen take the second on the overthrow.
Faheem Ashraf to Avishka Fernando. Full and outside off, nicely driven but cannot pierce mid off. A single taken.
Faheem Ashraf to Avishka Fernando. FOUR! Fantastic drive. Ashraf bowls one on a fuller length and offers width outside off, Fernando leans and drives it through cover-point for first boundary of the innings. That was just superb timing.
Faheem Ashraf to bowl from the other end.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. First run off the bat. On the pads, Avishka glances it towards mid-wicket and keeps the strike. 5 off the first over. A good over from Imad to start up.
Imad Wasim to Avishka Fernando. Avishka starts his innings with a solid back foot defense.
Imad Wasim to Danushka Gunathilaka. WIDE! Wild delivery from Imad. He completely misses his line and length and sprays one way down the leg side. Gunathilaka leaves it alone and the ball is too wide of the diving Sarfaraz. The fielder from short fine leg does really well to pull it back with a dive before the ropes. Saves a run for his side as the batsmen come back for the third. The on-field umpire goes upstairs to confirm and replays show that the man has done well to save a run for his team.
Imad Wasim to Danushka Gunathilaka. Beaten! Floated outside off, Gunathilaka looks to drive it on the up on the off side. The ball though turns away and beats the outside edge of Danushka's bat.
Imad Wasim to Danushka Gunathilaka. Shorter around leg, Gunathilaka makes room and punches it towards cover.
Imad Wasim to Danushka Gunathilaka. Darts it on middle and leg, Gunathilaka flicks it straight to mid-wicket.
Imad Wasim to Danushka Gunathilaka. Imad starts with a flatter delivery on middle and leg. It spins away just a fraction. Gunathilaka pushes it to mid off off the outer half of his bat.
Done and dusted with the national anthems and now we are all set for the action to begin. The fans in Lahore can't wait for it and neither can we. The Pakistan players are in a huddle before they take their respective positions in the field. Imad Wasim to take the ball first up for Pakistan. Danushka Gunathilaka and Avishka Fernando stride out to open the innings for Sri Lanka.
Both set of players walk out to the middle to a huge reception from the fans for their respective national anthems. First up it will be the visitor's anthem. We are not far away from the start of the game here.
Pakistan Playing XI - Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Umar Akmal, Asif Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed (C and WK), Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain.
Sri Lanka Playing XI - Avishka Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Debut), Minod Bhanuka (WK) (Debut), Dasun Shanaka (C), Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Pradeep.
TOSS - We are all set for the coin to go up for the first time in Lahore. Pakistan skipper, Sarfaraz Ahmed has the coin in hand. Up it goes and it comes down in favour of Sarfaraz. PAKISTAN OPT TO BOWL!
Done and dusted with ODIs, now we move to the shortest and quickest format of cricket in this series. It's not just a change of format, there is a change of venue as well. From Karachi the battlefield now shifts to Lahore. A few changes in the side for the hosts as Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad come in. It will be interesting to see whether the duo make it into the playing XI. Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed will hope that his side continues its good work from the ODIs and puts up another show for the home fans. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have a lot of things to ponder upon. They were good with the bat in the final ODI but the bowlers would need the fielders to back them up in the field which was average at best in both the ODIs. Different format means different skipper for the visitors in this tour. Dasun Shanaka is all set to lead his troops here and all the Lankan fans will hope that it also brings a change in fortunes for them. They will need to be at their brilliant best if they are to silence the home fans. Will the Lions roar or will normalcy prevail? Stay tuned as the toss is not far away.
Right then. The T20I series sees a 1-0 lead but in favour of Sri Lanka. Is this a sign of things to come or were Pakistan just caught napping on the night? Only time will tell in a couple of days' time as the second T20I is not that far. It will be played on Monday, 7th October, 2019 at 6.30 pm (1330 GMT) at this very venue. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Victorious Sri Lankan skipper, Dasun Shanaka, says that it is a great achievement without their top guns. On their self belief, Dasun says that everyone believed in themselves and credits the openers for setting up a great platform.
Pakistan captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, says that no team in the world is weak in T20Is and credits Sri Lanka for playing better cricket. On being probed further, Ahmed says that Sri Lanka's bowling in the Powerplay hurt his side and praises them for bowling well with the dew. On the team selection, Sarfaraz says that it was made based on some domestic performances and believes that they will bounce back in the next game. Believes that they are number 1 because of their ability to bowl sides out which did not happen here - but is quick to say that the bowlers came back hard, to restrict the Lankans under 170. Believes that the world will witness a better effort in the second match.
DANUSHKA GUNATHILAKA HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. He says that it was a great win. Feels that his team did well in the ODIs too and got some confidence from the last game. On the excellent opening stand, Danushka says that the pre-match talk was to get a good beginning and credits Avishka Fernando for taking the attack to the opposition. Observes that this team is basically inexperienced, with two debutants but going forward, with some experience, Gunathilaka believes that they will win more games.
Sri Lanka were excellent with the ball and on the field. They never let Pakistan off the hook at any stage. Pradeep and Udana's 3-fers stung them while Rajitha's choke was enough for support. Who should be the Man Of The Match? Gunathilaka or one of the bowlers? The presentation is about to begin...
A 46-run stand between Sarfaraz Ahmed and Iftikhar Ahmed for the 4th wicket raised some hopes but once both decided to get to the same end and be run out, the innings derailed. They, along with Babar, were the only ones to get into double figures.
Babar Azam. A legend in the making for Pakistan. The future Bradman for them. Dismissed on 13. Game over? Literally. Pakistan could barely find any anchor once Babar was dismissed and became like a cat in front of a car's headlights. At 22/3, it became a one-sided contest.
To be honest, we all need to take back our words when we said at the innings break that 165 is 40 runs short. Dear me, it proved 60 too many! Did the lack of dew effect go against Pakistan? Perhaps. They expected the ball to skid on and come onto the bat nicely. Instead, the pitch became slower as the game progressed and the number 1 T20I team struggled to adapt.
They have arrived at last! The lion has roared. Now, do we have a contest? After missing out on the ODIs, the Men In Blue have confirmed that they too, are playing in this bilateral tour, pulling off a comprehensive win.
Isuru Udana to Mohammad Amir. OUT! Caught again. Third catch for Danushka Gunathilaka tonight and that ends the first T20I. SRI LANKA WIN BY 64 RUNS. Full and outside off, Amir backs away a touch and looks to go inside out but finds Danushka running to his right at long off.
Only one man left now. Mohammad Hasnain to get some batting practice.
Isuru Udana to Shadab Khan. OUT! Caught again. Another example of catching practice. A short ball, around middle, Shadab pulls it high in the air but finds Avishka Fernando at deep mid-wicket. Wickets falling like nine pins.
Isuru Udana to Shadab Khan. Full and around middle, watchfully defended.
Isuru Udana to Mohammad Amir. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.
Isuru Udana is back on. 2-0-10-1 so far.
Nuwan Pradeep to Shadab Khan. FOUR! This time he connects. Full and outside off, Shadab gets under it and carves it over cover for a boundary!
Nuwan Pradeep to Shadab Khan. Outside off, Shadab looks to bash this through the off side but the ball sticks on the surface and hence comes slowly. Takes the inside edge and goes past the stumps. Khan wants a run but is sent back.
Mohammad Amir walks in next at number 10, replacing Ashraf.
Nuwan Pradeep to Faheem Ashraf. OUT! Caught. Third wicket for Pradeep. Full and on the pads, Faheem flicks this beautifully and in the air. Nice view to sight. But his fielding placement is also excellent as he picks the man out to give catching practice also perfectly. Danushka Gunathilaka comes running in and takes his second catch of the night.
Nuwan Pradeep to Shadab Khan. Outside off, driven through the covers for a run.
Nuwan Pradeep to Faheem Ashraf. Full on middle, Ashraf looks to heave but the ball goes off the toe end of the bat down the ground. A single taken.
Nuwan Pradeep to Faheem Ashraf. FOUR! That is an unbelievable shot. Full and outside off, Ashraf backs away and carves it over cover!
Nuwan Pradeep returns. 2-0-11-2 so far.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Faheem Ashraf. Around off, driven towards long off for one more. Hasaranga finishes off as well, 4-0-20-2 for him.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Shadab Khan. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Shadab Khan. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Faheem Ashraf. Full and outside off, Ashraf pushes at it and gets a thick outside edge through the vacant slip region to third man for a single.
Shadab Khan to bat now.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Asif Ali. OUT! Caught! The last hope for Pakistan perishes as well. Full and outside off, Asif gets under it and looks to go big but he only gets height. Not the distance. Two men converge - long on and long off and in the end, Danushka Gunathilaka from the former position takes it in front of long off, over his own head.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Faheem Ashraf. Should that be adjudged LBW? Arguable. Picture this. Ashraf looks to play the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. An LBW appeal ensues but because the ball is pitched outside leg, it is not given. The argument now is - if he was playing the reverse sweep, should the pitch map be reversed? A thought to ponder. Meanwhile, a leg bye stolen.
Kasun Rajitha to Faheem Ashraf. On middle, flicked high in the air, almost straight to deep square leg but the ball does not carry. A run taken. 4-0-20-1 for Rajitha tonight.
Kasun Rajitha to Faheem Ashraf. Full and around off, Ashraf looks to push it to the off side but gets a thick inside edge past the stumps.
Faheem Ashraf walks in next.
Kasun Rajitha to Imad Wasim. OUT! Straight to the man! Imad goes as well. Full and outside off, Wasim gets under it and hits it towards mid off but Wanindu Hasaranga gets low, takes the catch and jumps forward. The run chase spiralling down.
Kasun Rajitha to Asif Ali. Full and around middle, Asif looks to flick but gets a top edge towards square leg. The batsmen go for a quick single and the fielder charges in but his throw hits Ali's bat and deflects to long on. The fielder is not impressed but the batsmen show good sportsmanship and do not run.
Kasun Rajitha to Imad Wasim. Around middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
Kasun Rajitha to Imad Wasim. FOUR! CREAMED! Has the attack begun? Full and outside off, Imad clobbers it down the ground, through mid off and finds the fence!
Kasun Rajitha to bowl out. 3-0-13-0 so far.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Imad Wasim. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot for a single.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Asif Ali. Full and around middle, driven down the ground for one.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Asif Ali. Outside off, punched off the back foot again.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Imad Wasim. Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.
Imad Wasim walks in next at number 7, replacing his skipper.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Sarfaraz Ahmed. OUT! BOWLED! Sarfaraz' struggles are over. Full and around middle, the skipper comes down the track and looks to go big, slogging wildly across the line but misses. Timber. 30 balls for his 24 runs. Blessing in disguise for Pakistan? Or too late? 90 more needed from 40 balls.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Asif Ali. Full and outside off, Asif looks to swing hard but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes to square leg. A single taken.
Wanindu Hasaranga returns. 2-0-13-0 so far.
Lakshan Sandakan to Asif Ali. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.
Lakshan Sandakan to Asif Ali. Landed outside off, Asif looks to play the reverse sweep but the fielder at first slip, Danushka Gunathilaka dives to his right and makes a wonderful stop.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Full and outside off, swept through square leg for one.
Lakshan Sandakan to Asif Ali. Comes down the track and pushes it towards long off for a run.
Lakshan Sandakan to Asif Ali. Outside off, punched off the back foot.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Full and around off, swept powerfully but straight to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Isuru Udana to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Shorter on off, Sarfaraz punches it to the off side and keeps the strike.
Isuru Udana to Asif Ali. Shorter on off, Asif runs it down to third man and gets to the other end.
Isuru Udana to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Fuller on off, Sarfarz strokes it towards point and gets to the other end.
Asif Ali walks in at number 6, replacing Iftikhar.
Isuru Udana to Iftikhar Ahmed. OUT! RUN OUT! Terrible, terrible from both the Pakistan batters. Fuller ball on off, Iftikhar pushes it wide of mid off and comes down for a single. Sarfaraz keeps his head down and runs away. Iftikhar though changes his mind and walks back. Sarfaraz though does not care and he also reaches the keeper's end. Iftikhar is also at the keeper's end. Dasun Shanaka dives to his right and makes a brilliant stop. He then sends it to Isuru Udana who does the rest. The umpire goes upstairs to see who reached the striker's end first. Replay shows that Sarfaraz was the first Ahmed to reach the crease. Things going from bad to worse for the hosts here. A stun silence here in Lahore. The 46-run stand comes to an end. It took 43 balls and just when it looked like the duo would take on the Sri Lankan bowlers the partnership is broken.
Mix up and a big wicket here for Sri Lanka. The question is who is the one who has to walk back? Here comes the photo-finish. Sarfaraz beats his partner!
Isuru Udana to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Good length ball on off, Sarfaraz punches it to extra cover for one.
Isuru Udana to Iftikhar Ahmed. Appeal for an LBW but it is turned down. Fuller on the pads, Iftikhar looks to flick but it goes off his pad behind square on the leg side. There is a stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire.
Isuru Udana returns. 1-0-6-1 so far.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. FOUR! Boundary after 17 balls once again. Pakistan need it more frequently than this though. Slightly shorter on off, Sarfaraz goes inside out over covers for a boundary.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. On the pads, Sarfaraz looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad.
Lakshan Sandakan to Iftikhar Ahmed. Direct hit but Sarfaraz is safely in. On the pads, Iftikhar flicks it towards square leg and calls for a single. The fielder scores a direct hit at the keeper's end. Sarfaraz looks to be in but the square leg umpire goes upstairs to be safe. Replay rolls in and shows Ahmed was well in.
We go upstairs again! This time for a run out appeal. Against Sarfaraz. Looks to be home, as per the replays.
Lakshan Sandakan to Iftikhar Ahmed. SAFE! Sri Lanka lose their sole review here. The pitching is an issue. It is pitched outside leg and Iftikhar survives. Floated ball around leg, Iftikhar looks to sweep but misses. The ball hits him on the back pad. The Sri Lankan players put in an appeal but the umpire turns it down. Shanaka has a word with his bowler and keeper and then signals the 'T'. Ultra Edge rolls in first and shows no involvment of the bat. Time for the Ball Tracker and it shows that the pitching was on the wrong side of leg stump.
An LBW review! The Lankans reckon that they have got Iftikhar Ahmed. Pitched outside leg? Yes. Ball Tracker confirms. Don't bother checking whether it will hit the stumps.
Lakshan Sandakan to Iftikhar Ahmed. Shorter on off, Iftikhar strokes it through extra cover for a couple.
Lakshan Sandakan to Iftikhar Ahmed. WIDE! Sandakan misses his line and wildly bowls one way outside off. It pitches on the edge of the pitch and Bhanuka to his credit does well to stop it.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Floated on off and middle, Sarfaraz plays a very good sweep shit but there is a man at deep mid-wicket so just a single.
Kasun Rajitha to Iftikhar Ahmed. On the pads, Sarfaraz looks to flick but gets a thick inside edge onto the pads. The ball goes towards deep square leg. They run the first one hard and call for the second. They get it with ease. At the halfway stage Pakistan are 57/3. Sri Lanka were 84/1 at this stage. The hosts need 109 runs more in the final half of this game.
Kasun Rajitha to Iftikhar Ahmed. Full on off, Iftikhar nudges it down the ground to mid off.
Kasun Rajitha to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Slower ball on middle and leg. It is full, Sarfaraz strokes it towards long on and gets to the other end.
Kasun Rajitha to Iftikhar Ahmed. Good length ball around off, it is straighter. Iftikhar punches it to sweeper cover for one.
Kasun Rajitha to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Down the leg side, Sarfaraz misses his tuck and is hit on the pads. The ball deflects to the leg side and a leg bye is taken.
Kasun Rajitha to Iftikhar Ahmed. Full and down the leg side, flicked uppishly towards long leg for a single.
Kasun Rajitha is back on. 2-0-8-0 so far.
Lakshan Sandakan to Iftikhar Ahmed. Short ball on middle and leg, pulled straight to deep mid-wicket to make it 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 and 1 from the over.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Full and around middle, Sarfaraz sweeps it towards short fine leg where Isuru Udana dives to his left and misfields, allowing one. 50 UP FOR PAKISTAN, albeit a laboured one. 116 more needed from 67 balls now.
Lakshan Sandakan to Iftikhar Ahmed. Outside off, pushed towards long off for a run.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for one.
Lakshan Sandakan to Iftikhar Ahmed. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. What a run. Full and around middle, Sarfaraz just taps it towards cover with soft hands and takes a super quick single! Dasun Shanaka was at an awkward angle to aim the flick at the bowler's end and missed the stumps. Anyone remember how Faheem Ashraf hit the stumps earlier in the evening?
Wanindu Hasaranga to Iftikhar Ahmed. FOUR! Boundary after 17 balls and this sees the home fans find some of their voice back. A real drag down from Hasaranga. Iftikhar picks it early and swivels his pull wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Sarfaraz Ahmed. On the pads, Sarfaraz looks to flick but it goes off his thigh pad. They take a leg bye.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Iftikhar Ahmed. Tossed up on off, Iftikhar defends it with soft hands to the off side for one.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Shorter on off, Sarfaraz punches it towards long off and gets to the other end.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Flighted on off, Sarfaraz lofts it wide of sweeper cover for a couple. Pakistan need boundaries here. Singles and doubles won't hurt Sri Lanka.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Iftikhar Ahmed. Floated on middle, Iftikhar nudges it towards mid-wicket for one.
Lakshan Sandakan to Iftikhar Ahmed. On the pads, Iftikhar glances it towards mid-wicket and keeps the strike. 5 singles off the over. A happy over for the visitors.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Short around off, Sarfaraz drags it wide of long on with no timing on it for another single.
Lakshan Sandakan to Iftikhar Ahmed. Short around off, Iftikhar cuts it wide of point for one.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Tossed up on middle and leg, Sarfaraz strokes it towards long on for one.
Lakshan Sandakan to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Short and wide outside off, Sarfaraz looks to cut but misses.
Lakshan Sandakan to Iftikhar Ahmed. Flighted on middle and off, Iftikhar milks it down to long on for one.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Iftikhar Ahmed. On the pads, Iftikhar glances it towards mid-wicket and keeps the strike. Pakistan 30/3 at the end of Powerplay. Sri Lanka were 64/0 at this stage. The hosts need to start scoring as the required run rate has climbed up to 9.71.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Floated on off, Sarfaraz taps it towards cover and calls for a single. Iftikhar responds swiftly and makes his ground.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Gives this one air on middle, Sarfaraz pushes it towards mid on.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Floated on middle, Sarfaraz sweeps it but to the man at square leg.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Iftikhar Ahmed. Short leg spinner on off, Iftikhar punches it wide of point and gets to the other end. The fielder dives to his right and keeps it down to one.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Flighted ball on off, Sarfaraz nudges it towards mid on and takes a quick single.
First sign of spin in this inning. Wanindu Hasaranga to bowl his leggies.
Isuru Udana to Iftikhar Ahmed. FOUR! Crackling shot to get off the mark. Length ball outside off, Iftikhar makes the most of the width and slashes it through cover point for a boundary. Pakistan need much more of this. Tidy start for Udana though. 6 runs and a wicket off his first.
Isuru Udana to Iftikhar Ahmed. Closer to the off pole, Ahmed pushes it to mid off.
Isuru Udana to Iftikhar Ahmed. Fuller on off, Iftikhar pushes it to cover.
Isuru Udana to Iftikhar Ahmed. Length delivery on off, Iftikhar punches it to the man at cover.
3 wickets down and in comes Iftikhar Ahmed. He will need to play a gem of a knock with his skipper if his side is to get a win here.
Isuru Udana to Ahmed Shehzad. OUT! Chopped on! Udana was unlucky not to get a wicket of his first ball but he does not have to wait long. He gets his man on the second ball. Good length ball juts outside off. Shehzad looks to cut but the ball is too close to do so. It hits the lower half of his bat and onto the stumps. Pakistan in deep trouble here.
Isuru Udana to Ahmed Shehzad. In the air but safe. Udana starts with a full ball on middle and leg. Shehzad looks to flick it towards square leg. The ball takes the leading edge and goes high up in the air. Three fielders go chasing after it but it evades them all and falls in no man's land at deep extra cover. The batsmen come back for the second.
First bowling change of the innings. Isuru Udana replaces Kasun Rajitha.
Nuwan Pradeep to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Length ball on off, Sarfaraz defends it to get through the over.
Nuwan Pradeep to Ahmed Shehzad. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.
Nuwan Pradeep to Ahmed Shehzad. WIDE! Nuwan misses his line and bowls one down the leg side. Shehzad looks to flick but misses. Wide signalled by the umpire.
Nuwan Pradeep to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Good length ball on off, SA punches it towards extra cover and rotates the strike.
Nuwan Pradeep to Ahmed Shehzad. On the pads, Shehzad flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets off the mark. He has taken his time to get the scoreboard ticking here but he will now have to make it count.
Nuwan Pradeep to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Back of a length ball around off, Sarfaraz cuts it wide of point to get tom the other end.
Nuwan Pradeep to Sarfaraz Ahmed. No hat-trick for Pradeep. Good length ball on off, Sarfaraz punches it to cover and manages to negotiate the hat-trick ball.
Kasun Rajitha to Ahmed Shehzad. Good shot but straight to the fielder. Shehzad punches it off his back foot but straight to the man at cover.
Kasun Rajitha to Ahmed Shehzad. Good length ball on off, Shehzad punches it to point.
Kasun Rajitha to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Sarfaraz is off the mark. Good length ball on off, Sarfaraz pushes it towards cover and sets off for a quick single. The fielder scores a direct hit at the keeper's end but Shehzad is well in.
Kasun Rajitha to Sarfaraz Ahmed. Pakistan skipper starts his innings with a watchful back foot defense.
Kasun Rajitha to Ahmed Shehzad. On the pads, Shehzad looks to flick but it goes off his thigh pad to the on side. They steal a leg bye.
Kasun Rajitha to Ahmed Shehzad. NOT OUT! Shehzad has survived by the scruff of his neck here. Not a bad review and rightfully Sri Lanka do not lose it. Rajitha bowls a length ball outside off. It comes in with the angle. Shehzad looks to defend it to the leg side but misses. The ball hits him on the back pad and there is a huge appeal. The umpire this time does not agree. The Lankan players think they have their man and take it upstairs. Replay rolls in and shows two reds but it shows the ball is just about clipping the top of the stump. It is not hitting enough to change the decision.
Another shout for LBW! No, says Aleem Dar. Sri Lanka take the review. Height? Shehzad has been hit around the knee roll, but he is inside the crease. No inside edge, now awaiting Ball Tracker. Clipping the top of the stumps. Saved by umpire's call is Shehzad.
Sarfaraz Ahmed walks in at number 4. But because the over ended, he will not be on strike.
Nuwan Pradeep to Umar Akmal. OUT! LBW! This is a beauty from Pradeep. Umar Akmal's return to the national fold is a miserable one. He walks out with a golden duck to his name. Pradeep hits the deck hard on off and middle. The ball straightens after pitching. Umar looks to play it on the on side but he misses the ball and it hits him on the back pad. The Sri Lankan players put in a huge appeal and the umpire agrees with them. He raises the finger. Umar Akmal knows he is a plumb candidate here and does not even bother asking his partner about the DRS. Two in two and Sri Lanka on the front foot here.
Babar Azam's cousin brother is in, Umar Akmal, at number 3.
Nuwan Pradeep to Babar Azam. OUT! CAUGHT! Minod Bhanuka has taken a stunner on his debut. What a catch to take first up in your maiden T20I outing. Pradeep was troubling Babar in this over and he has had the last laugh here. Nuwan corrects his line from the previous one and goes back to the channel of off and around off. The ball moves away late. Babar looks to drive but ends up getting a thick outside edge. It flies to the right of the keeper. Bhanuka dives on that side and takes a one-handed stunner with his right hand.
Nuwan Pradeep to Babar Azam. FOUR! Class from Babar. It is on the pads, Babar just waits for it and punches it with ease and timing through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Nuwan Pradeep to Babar Azam. Fuller on off, BA pushes it to mid off.
Nuwan Pradeep to Babar Azam. In the air but safe. Length delivery outside off. The ball sticks on the surface and comes slower than Babar expected it to. He is early in his drive and the ball goes off the outer half of his bat. It goes uppishly over extra cover and luckily for him it is in no man's land. The fielder from cover cleans it up. Two runs taken.
Nuwan Pradeep to Babar Azam. Pradeep steams in and bowls a good length ball on off first up. Babar defends it towards point.
Nuwan Pradeep to bowl from the other end.
Kasun Rajitha to Ahmed Shehzad. Length ball on the fourth stump line. Shehzad calmly leaves it alone. 7 off the first.
Kasun Rajitha to Babar Azam. Very good shot and very good fielding. Slower ball from Rajitha. It is a low full toss. Babar times his flick to perfection through mid-wicket. Sandakan comes running from deep square leg and shows his footballing skill as he manages to stop the ball before the ropes with his right foot. Saving a run for his side.
Looks like something has gone into Aleem Dar's eye. He runs towards his partner and gets his right eye checked. Dr. Ahsan Raza does the needful, perhaps blowing the dirt away and Aleem is okay now.
Kasun Rajitha to Babar Azam. Lucky escape for Rajitha. He bowls it on the pads, Babar flicks it but does not get it past square leg. This one had boundary written all over it but somehow Kasun has managed to escape that.
Kasun Rajitha to Babar Azam. FOUR! Babar and Pakistan are off the mark in style. Too full and too wide outside off. Azam was not going to miss that. He stretches his arm out and smashes it between cover and point for a boundary.
Kasun Rajitha to Babar Azam. Bowls it closer to the off pole. Babar pushes it to cover.
Kasun Rajitha to Babar Azam. Rajitha starts with a good length delivery outside off. Azam calmly leaves this alone.
We are back for the chase. Sri Lankan players are in a huddle with their skipper having a final word with his troops before they take the field. The comeback man Ahmed Shehzad walks out with Babar Azam to open the innings for Pakistan. Kasun Rajitha to start the proceedings with the ball.