RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Kusal Mendis bounced again from two subpar performances to hit an unbeaten half-century and Sri Lanka denied Pakistan a clear sweep of their T20 sequence with an eight-wicket win Tuesday.
The captain, who made 1 and 9 within the earlier two defeats, scored 87 not out off 48 balls and carried Sri Lanka to 172-2 in 17.1 overs because the guests confirmed enchancment in all of the three sides of the sport.
Pakistan skipper Sahibzada Farhan had earlier scored 76 off 47 balls to allowed the house crew to attain 168-8 after Mendis gained his third straight toss and elected to discipline.
Pakistan e by 4 wickets after which inflicted a t within the second recreation by scoring its second highest-ever T20 rating of 215.
Each groups will now be joined by England in an ODI tri-series beginning in Rawalpindi from Sunday.
Mendis leads the run chase
With the three-match sequence already within the bag, Pakistan rested frontline bowlers Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed together with spin all-rounders Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub.
Sineth Jayawardena (38) confirmed loads of intent within the energy play towards the tempo regardless of Sri Lanka dropping Lahiru Udara off Mohammad Imran’s first ball.
Udara may have overturned the on-field lbw resolution however most well-liked to not assessment because the TV replays recommended Imran’s ball had made an influence exterior the off stump.
Jayawardena holed out to long-on in an eventful first over of left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas throughout which wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay missed a stumping after which the Minhas injured his little finger whereas dropping a troublesome return catch.
Mendis then managed the chase properly with Kamindu Mendis, who scored unbeaten 40 off 27 balls as they added a match-winning 98-run stand off simply 55 balls. Kusal Mendis hit 9 fours and 4 sixes in his brutal power-hitting as Pakistan bowlers missed their lengths persistently.
Quick bowler Razaullah, enjoying in solely his second T20, erred in size and conceded 37 runs off his 19 balls whereas Salman Mirza (0-40) additionally went for many off his three overs.
Shanaka’s triple limits Pakistan
Former captain Dasun Shanaka (3-21) struck thrice within the center overs to restrict Pakistan.
Eshan Malinga had pegged again Pakistan with the prized wicket of Maaz Sadaqat for a three-ball duck after dangerman Fakhar Zaman (12) bought caught at quick third off quick bowler’s first ball.
Spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (1-23) then mixed properly with Shanaka within the center overs as Pakistan struggled to 102-6 within the 14th over and Farhan remained off strike for majority of deliveries.
Minhas (34 not out) ought to have been run-out off the primary ball however Mendis couldn’t collect the ball cleanly on the striker’s finish earlier than Farhan upped the ante within the loss of life overs towards the tempo as Pakistan scored 59 runs off the final 5 overs.
Nuwan Thushara (2-38) picked up his each wickets off the ultimate two balls of the innings when Farhan top-edged the quick bowler to Shanaka contained in the circle after which Razaullah bought clear bowled round his legs off the ultimate ball.
___
e
