Welcome back for Pakistan's reply with the bat. The Sri Lankans have taken their respective fielding spots. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman are the two openers for Pakistan. Nuwan Thushara has the new ball and is raring to spear in some slingy thunderbolts. A slip in place, with captain Farhan taking the strike. Here we go...
0.0
... The Run Chase ...
0.0
Up for a spicy chase - So 183 is the target for Pakistan to go 1-0 up in the series. The pitch looks a good one for batting, though we have already seen the new ball move around. With the dew already making its presence felt, it remains to be seen how big a part it plays in the chase. Rawalpindi is usually considered to be a good chasing ground but, the Sri Lankans have quality and experience in their bowling ranks, so a lot rides on how the hosts get off the blocks with the bat. Back in a bit with an interesting run chase. Stay tuned.
0.0
Udara's rescue act - Sri Lanka were in early strife at 18/2, with the wicket of Kusal Mendis leaving them on the back foot. Naseem, Imran and Razaullah made life awkward with tight lines and plenty of early movement and bounce. Udara and Kamindu then dug in and put together a sensible stand. Once the ball lost its shine and the swing faded, they began to find the gaps, picking on the spinners to keep the scoreboard moving. Saim Ayub ended their 60-run partnership, but it barely dented the momentum. Udara took charge and built a beautifully paced half-century, even though he was put down three times along the way. Pakistan could not make those lives count, and he made them pay. Shanaka played the perfect second fiddle, rotating the strike and letting his partner play the lead role, while Udara batted out of his skin at the other end but missed out on his century, getting out on 91. But his knock helped the Islanders to breach the 180-run mark.
0.0
A strong finish - Indeed, the Islanders have put on a pretty competitive score on the board. The 50 runs they plundered in the last 5 overs give them some much-needed momentum heading into the break. It was a mixed bag from the Pakistan bowlers. The pacers set the tone early, but the spinners were taken for plenty. Naseem Shah starred with three wickets but the standout bowler was the debutant Mohammad Imran, who finished with figures of 2/21 in his spell of four overs. But Pakistan were fairly ill-disciplined at times as they leaked 29 extras. Only time will tell how big difference will that make.
19.7
A single to end the innings! Razaullah yet again spills out a low full toss, but this time, it is way below waist height, on off. Eshan Malinga rocks back to drive it toward extra cover and gets a quick single. Sri Lanka ends up posting 182 runs on the board!
19.6
Full, on off, shaping away. Dushmantha Chameera looks to flick it but gets the leading edge before the ball bounces off toward the left of the diving backward point for a single.
19.5
FOUR! Not entirely from the middle of the bat, but will work for the visitors. Short of a length, outside off. Dushmantha Chameera swings his arms and gets the connection from the upper part of the bat. It loops over the mid off fielder and bounces away for four runs.
19.4
NO BALL AND A BYE! A full toss from Razaullah, over waist height, outside off. Eshan Malinga fails to connect his pull. Dushmantha Chameera calls for a run and they get that successfully as the keeper misses the underarm throw to hit the stumps at the striker's end.
19.3
Back of a length, around leg, Dushmantha Chameera pulls it to long on for one.
19.2
BYE! Short of a length, angling across. Eshan Malinga rocks back and misses his pull. The keeper fumbles and the batter gets a bye.
0.0
Eshan Malinga is in at number 10.
19.1
OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Hands up in the air in delight for Razaullah as he has his maiden T20I wicket. A special moment to cherish for any bowler. A slower ball, on a length around off stump, clocked at 119.8 kph, and it climbs on Theekshana more than he expects. He goes back and across, looking to pull, but he's through the shot too early and the ball balloons into the air off the top edge. Razaullah moves a couple of steps to his right and settles under it for a simple catch. Sri Lanka are 172/8, with 5 balls remaining.
0.0
End of an enterprising knock from Udara. But his could end up being worth those few extra runs for Sri Lanka. Dushmantha Chameera is the new batter in at number 9 and Razaullah will wrap up the first innings.
18.7
OUT! TAKEN! Naseem gets the danger man. Fuller in length, on the stumps around middle and leg stump. Udara backs away, looking to free his arms and launch over the boundary, but fails to get the desired leverage. He miscues it off the inside half of the bat, sending an easy chance towards the long-on boundary. Hasan Nawaz ranges to his right, gets into a comfortable position, and pouches it securely.
18.6
FOUR! Clever batting from Udara and now he gets into the 90s! Naseem Shah bends his back and offers a bumper, over off. Lahiru Udara keeps his calm and upper-cuts it over short third for a boundary.
0.0
Bazid Khan informs us on air that one of the light towers has gone off. So there's a bit of a halt in play. Sahibzada Farhan walks towards Naseem and Imran too, joins the conflab. The issue has been resolved and the lights are properly functioning now. Good to continue.
18.5
Back of a length, around off, Maheesh Theekshana dabs it to cover with soft hands and gets a single.
0.0
Not a great deal of celebration from Naseem as he just turns around to his bowling mark. But that's a big wicket as Wellalage is more than capable of swinging a few into the stands. With just 9 legal balls left, Maheesh Theekshana is in at number 8.
18.4
OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Naseem gets his second wicket. Dunith keeps shuffling across in the crease and looks to play the scoop shot over short fine leg, but Naseem unleashes a laser-straight yorker on the stumps. Wellalage misses to connect and loses the balance, and also sees the leg stump getting uprooted. Sri Lanka are 167/6.
18.3
Short of a length, outside off, slower one. Lahiru Udara looks to hit it away, but gets the inside edge and it rolls toward the left of the keeper. Single taken.
18.2
On a length, outside off, Dunith Wellalage cuts it to deep cover for one.
18.1
FIVE WIDES! This has gone horribly wrong for Naseem Shah! Pitches it fuller, around the leg stump and swings it way down the leg side. Dunith Wellalage fails to connect his flick and it beats the diving keeper for a boundary.
0.0
Naseem Shah (3-0-24-1) will bowl the penultimate over.
17.6
Dot ball to end the 18th over! Flatter and much fuller, on middle. Lahiru Udara drills it back to the bowler. Abrar does well to make a stop to his left. 10 runs off the over. 19 from the last 2 for Sri Lanka.
17.5
Quicker and fuller, on leg. Lahiru goes for a sweep but gets a top edge behind backward square leg for a couple of runs.
17.4
FOUR! What a shot! Great awareness of the fielding placements. Slightly short of a length and outside off, Udara shuffles across his stumps and gets right inside the line. He scoops it over the top of short fine leg, and the ball runs away to the fence, beating the fielder's chase and slide.
17.3
Around off, slower through the air, on a length. Dunith Wellalage guides it wide of short third for a single.
17.2
Speared in, flatter and shorter, on the pads. Udara stabs it behind backward square leg for a single.
17.1
PUT DOWN! That is a very lucky escape for Lahiru Udara! Pitches on a length outside off stump, floating wide to tempt the hit. Udara presses forward with a big heave in mind, but he is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and skies it off the top edge of the bat. Abrar turns and sprints back, eyes glued to the ball, and stretches out his hands, but only gets his fingertips to it. Yet another life for Udara, and the batters scamper back for a couple.
On to the next one - And that wraps up a rather one-sided opener to this three-match T20I series, with Pakistan 1-0 up. Sri Lanka now have to win both of the remaining games to take the series away from the hosts, and they will need some honest answers before the next outing. Their bowling plans were blown apart, and the sloppy work in the field did them no favours either. Pakistan will go into the next game with their chests out, having ticked plenty of boxes with bat, ball and in the field. The one box still waiting for a tick is the middle order, who will need to take on more responsibility the next time the top order does not do the heavy lifting. The second T20I will be played on Sunday, 11th October, and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 1 pm GMT. But as usual, our build-up begins well in advance. Cheers!
0.0
The captain of Sri Lanka - Kusal Mendis reflects on the defeat. On whether 182 was a competitive score, Kusal Mendis says Sri Lanka fell 20 to 25 runs short. He feels this was a surface where 200 was needed to put any real pressure on the opposition. He points to the early dismissals of himself and Kamil as the turning point, adding that the side has to bat with more positive intent in the Powerplay, because losing wickets up front left them scrambling. He praises Lahiru Udara, saying he enjoyed watching his knock, and hopes the southpaw keeps the form going in the next game. With the ball, he admits the Powerplay was poor and stresses that Sri Lanka must be tighter in the first six overs. He also gives credit to Pakistan, who he says batted really well.
0.0
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - The Pakistani captain, Sahibzada Farhan, deservedly takes home the award for his match-winning knock of 89 (53), including ten fours and four sixes. Sahibzada Farhan opens by expressing satisfaction with the team's victory, reiterating his belief that winning requires all-round contributions with both bat and ball. Reflecting on their performance, he notes that while they started strong with the ball in the first innings, they leaked a lot of runs during the middle overs, a shift he accepts as part of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. Turning to individual contributions, the skipper praises Maaz for his critical partnership with him, rating his current form among the very best in the game. He concludes by highlighting Mohammad Imran's crucial bowling display, noting that Imran executed the team's tactical plans perfectly to dent the opposition's batting lineup.
0.0
... The post-match Presentation ...
0.0
Udara, the lone warrior - Sri Lanka’s innings was a lesson in what one man’s conviction can do when the top order falters. Lahiru Udara walked in with his side in early trouble and left having made 91 off 55 balls, dragging the visitors from a shaky start to a total worth defending. He found willing partners in Kamindu Mendis, with whom he added 60, and Dasun Shanaka, who helped him put on 57, and those two stands gave the innings its spine. The finish lacked the same bite, though. Udara fell on 91, exactly half of Sri Lanka’s 182, and the innings lost its spark with him, leaving a few runs out there. Debutant Mohammad Imran was the pick of Pakistan's attack with 2/21, but the rest of the bowlers went for a lot, and the 29 extras they handed over only added to the visitors' a bit of good fortune.
0.0
The top order lits up Pindi - Farhan and Fakhar, the naturally aggressive opening pair, lit the fuse for Pakistan and took the attack to the Sri Lankan seamers from the outset. Fakhar eventually departed, but the scoreboard barely noticed, and the hosts galloped to 100 inside the tenth over. Skipper Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat then put together a whirlwind 92-run stand that all but nipped the contest in the bud. In fairness to the batters, Sri Lanka's bowling was wayward, but Farhan and Sadaqat deserved credit for knocking them off their lines and lengths. The dew played its part as well, making the ball tricky to grip. Sri Lanka did make late inroads through Theekshana but it was all in a losing cause as the game was gone too far from their reach by then.
0.0
Too hot to handle - Pakistan's batters turn in a superb effort, and the hosts move 1-0 ahead in the series in a commanding fashion. Sri Lanka's bowlers had little to offer in the way of threat and were taken apart. Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz will be a touch disappointed, though, that they were not able to hang in there for long and get some runs behind their names. Overall, though, the hosts will be thrilled with how this went, especially the aggressive intent they showed throughout the chase. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have plenty to reflect on their lackadaisical bowling and fielding efforts and will have to come back strongly to find an equaliser.
18.5
SIX! Nafay finishes off in style and Pakistan win by 4 wickets. On a back of a length, around the off stump line. Khawaja Nafay stands tall and swings it powerfully over long on for a six. Doesn't even bother to see whether the ball has sailed all over the ropes as he holds his pose with confidence. Pakistan go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series.
18.4
Back of a length, zipping and jagging back in with bounce. Imran is taken by surprise by the extra bounce and is cramped up for room. Tries to work it across but takes a stinging blow on the right forearm. The ball deflects to the off side, in thereabouts of cover-point for a leg bye.
18.3
A dipping full toss, on the stumps. Imran jams the bat down in time and shovels it to the bowler.
0.0
Mohammad Imran is the new batter in at number 8.
18.2
Shadab Khan c Nuwan Thushara b Eshan Malinga 0 (2)
OUT! TAKEN! Another wicket has fallen, despite only 3 runs required. Shadab tries to hit the winning runs but falls. Hits the deck hard does Malinga and bangs in a shorter one, around middle and leg, offering very little room to extend the arms. Shadab takes on the short ball with a hook shot, but can only sky a top edge deep down the leg side. Thushara moves across from long leg, positions himself comfortably beneath the high ball, and scoops it safely into his cusp.
18.1
Good running between the sticks! Much fuller, on off. Khawaja Nafay knocks it toward the right of the mid off fielder and sprints to the other end to take the single.
0.0
Should be the last over of the match. A matter of one hit for Pakistan to take the lead in the series. Eshan Malinga (3-0-26-1) returns.
17.6
Bangs hard onto the length, over middle. Shadab Khan misses out to connect his pull and gets beaten on the top edge.
0.0
Gutted is the word for Farhan. He had the finish in sight. With just 4 needed off 13 balls, Shadab Khan is in at number 7.
17.5
Sahibzada Farhan c Sahan Arachchige b Nuwan Thushara 89 (53)
OUT! CAUGHT! A splendid effort in the deep by Sahan Arachchige. Thushara sends down a full toss on leg stump, and Farhan, who has moved back and across, whips it into the air through the on side. There is not enough elevation on the shot as the ball sails flatly. Arachchige is the man at deep mid-wicket. He charges in, launches himself forward and snatches the ball with both hands inches off the turf. It is a magnificent grab, but it comes far too late to rescue Sri Lanka.
17.4
SIX! The biggie from the skipper and Pakistan should be able to get the rest of the chase with ease. Short of a length, outside off. Sahibzada Farhan backs away and slaps it over deep cover for a biggie.
17.3
FOUR! A loose delivery gets its treatment. Aiming for a yorker, but spilling out a low full toss, on middle. Sahibzada Farhan hangs back and heaves it toward deep square leg for four runs.
17.2
Yorker, outside off, Sahibzada Farhan jams it away, but straight to the cover fielder.
17.1
FOUR! THWACK! Nuwan opens the over with a bouncer outside off, and Farhan, clearly in no mood to hang around, is ready for it. He rocks back, slaps it in the air and sends it sailing over the cover fielder for four.
0.0
Pakistan need 18 runs from 18 balls. Nuwan Thushara returns into the attack. 2-0-18-0 are his bowling figures so far.
16.6
Flighted well outside off, on a good length. Farhan skips down the track with a big heave across the line in mind. But only manages to get it off the inner half of the bat. The ball dribbles out to deep mid-wicket, where they pick up a single.
16.5
Short and sliding into the batter, stabbed back to the bowler off the back foot.
16.4
Quicker and flatter, outside off. Farhan knocks the length ball to the cover fielder.
16.3
Drags it short and outside off, Farhan backs away and slaps it to widish deep cover-point for a couple of more runs.
16.2
Onto the pads, drifting down leg, Nafay whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.
16.1
Slower through the air, on a length, outside off. Nafay hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a couple of runs.
0.0
Righto, last 4 overs left. Pakistan need 24 runs to win. The skipper is still at the crease and ticking along nicely, so the hosts are firmly in the driver's seat. But if the tourists manage to get rid of Farhan, things will spice up once again. Dunith Wellalage is back on.
15.6
Spins in from middle to leg, on a length. Nafay knocks it down to long on for a single.
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PAK
Welcome back for Pakistan's reply with the bat. The Sri Lankans have taken their respective fielding spots. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman are the two openers for Pakistan. Nuwan Thushara has the new ball and is raring to spear in some slingy thunderbolts. A slip in place, with captain Farhan taking the strike. Here we go...
... The Run Chase ...
Up for a spicy chase - So 183 is the target for Pakistan to go 1-0 up in the series. The pitch looks a good one for batting, though we have already seen the new ball move around. With the dew already making its presence felt, it remains to be seen how big a part it plays in the chase. Rawalpindi is usually considered to be a good chasing ground but, the Sri Lankans have quality and experience in their bowling ranks, so a lot rides on how the hosts get off the blocks with the bat. Back in a bit with an interesting run chase. Stay tuned.
Udara's rescue act - Sri Lanka were in early strife at 18/2, with the wicket of Kusal Mendis leaving them on the back foot. Naseem, Imran and Razaullah made life awkward with tight lines and plenty of early movement and bounce. Udara and Kamindu then dug in and put together a sensible stand. Once the ball lost its shine and the swing faded, they began to find the gaps, picking on the spinners to keep the scoreboard moving. Saim Ayub ended their 60-run partnership, but it barely dented the momentum. Udara took charge and built a beautifully paced half-century, even though he was put down three times along the way. Pakistan could not make those lives count, and he made them pay. Shanaka played the perfect second fiddle, rotating the strike and letting his partner play the lead role, while Udara batted out of his skin at the other end but missed out on his century, getting out on 91. But his knock helped the Islanders to breach the 180-run mark.
A strong finish - Indeed, the Islanders have put on a pretty competitive score on the board. The 50 runs they plundered in the last 5 overs give them some much-needed momentum heading into the break. It was a mixed bag from the Pakistan bowlers. The pacers set the tone early, but the spinners were taken for plenty. Naseem Shah starred with three wickets but the standout bowler was the debutant Mohammad Imran, who finished with figures of 2/21 in his spell of four overs. But Pakistan were fairly ill-disciplined at times as they leaked 29 extras. Only time will tell how big difference will that make.
A single to end the innings! Razaullah yet again spills out a low full toss, but this time, it is way below waist height, on off. Eshan Malinga rocks back to drive it toward extra cover and gets a quick single. Sri Lanka ends up posting 182 runs on the board!
Full, on off, shaping away. Dushmantha Chameera looks to flick it but gets the leading edge before the ball bounces off toward the left of the diving backward point for a single.
FOUR! Not entirely from the middle of the bat, but will work for the visitors. Short of a length, outside off. Dushmantha Chameera swings his arms and gets the connection from the upper part of the bat. It loops over the mid off fielder and bounces away for four runs.
NO BALL AND A BYE! A full toss from Razaullah, over waist height, outside off. Eshan Malinga fails to connect his pull. Dushmantha Chameera calls for a run and they get that successfully as the keeper misses the underarm throw to hit the stumps at the striker's end.
Back of a length, around leg, Dushmantha Chameera pulls it to long on for one.
BYE! Short of a length, angling across. Eshan Malinga rocks back and misses his pull. The keeper fumbles and the batter gets a bye.
Eshan Malinga is in at number 10.
OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Hands up in the air in delight for Razaullah as he has his maiden T20I wicket. A special moment to cherish for any bowler. A slower ball, on a length around off stump, clocked at 119.8 kph, and it climbs on Theekshana more than he expects. He goes back and across, looking to pull, but he's through the shot too early and the ball balloons into the air off the top edge. Razaullah moves a couple of steps to his right and settles under it for a simple catch. Sri Lanka are 172/8, with 5 balls remaining.
End of an enterprising knock from Udara. But his could end up being worth those few extra runs for Sri Lanka. Dushmantha Chameera is the new batter in at number 9 and Razaullah will wrap up the first innings.
OUT! TAKEN! Naseem gets the danger man. Fuller in length, on the stumps around middle and leg stump. Udara backs away, looking to free his arms and launch over the boundary, but fails to get the desired leverage. He miscues it off the inside half of the bat, sending an easy chance towards the long-on boundary. Hasan Nawaz ranges to his right, gets into a comfortable position, and pouches it securely.
FOUR! Clever batting from Udara and now he gets into the 90s! Naseem Shah bends his back and offers a bumper, over off. Lahiru Udara keeps his calm and upper-cuts it over short third for a boundary.
Bazid Khan informs us on air that one of the light towers has gone off. So there's a bit of a halt in play. Sahibzada Farhan walks towards Naseem and Imran too, joins the conflab. The issue has been resolved and the lights are properly functioning now. Good to continue.
Back of a length, around off, Maheesh Theekshana dabs it to cover with soft hands and gets a single.
Not a great deal of celebration from Naseem as he just turns around to his bowling mark. But that's a big wicket as Wellalage is more than capable of swinging a few into the stands. With just 9 legal balls left, Maheesh Theekshana is in at number 8.
OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Naseem gets his second wicket. Dunith keeps shuffling across in the crease and looks to play the scoop shot over short fine leg, but Naseem unleashes a laser-straight yorker on the stumps. Wellalage misses to connect and loses the balance, and also sees the leg stump getting uprooted. Sri Lanka are 167/6.
Short of a length, outside off, slower one. Lahiru Udara looks to hit it away, but gets the inside edge and it rolls toward the left of the keeper. Single taken.
On a length, outside off, Dunith Wellalage cuts it to deep cover for one.
FIVE WIDES! This has gone horribly wrong for Naseem Shah! Pitches it fuller, around the leg stump and swings it way down the leg side. Dunith Wellalage fails to connect his flick and it beats the diving keeper for a boundary.
Naseem Shah (3-0-24-1) will bowl the penultimate over.
Dot ball to end the 18th over! Flatter and much fuller, on middle. Lahiru Udara drills it back to the bowler. Abrar does well to make a stop to his left. 10 runs off the over. 19 from the last 2 for Sri Lanka.
Quicker and fuller, on leg. Lahiru goes for a sweep but gets a top edge behind backward square leg for a couple of runs.
FOUR! What a shot! Great awareness of the fielding placements. Slightly short of a length and outside off, Udara shuffles across his stumps and gets right inside the line. He scoops it over the top of short fine leg, and the ball runs away to the fence, beating the fielder's chase and slide.
Around off, slower through the air, on a length. Dunith Wellalage guides it wide of short third for a single.
Speared in, flatter and shorter, on the pads. Udara stabs it behind backward square leg for a single.
PUT DOWN! That is a very lucky escape for Lahiru Udara! Pitches on a length outside off stump, floating wide to tempt the hit. Udara presses forward with a big heave in mind, but he is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and skies it off the top edge of the bat. Abrar turns and sprints back, eyes glued to the ball, and stretches out his hands, but only gets his fingertips to it. Yet another life for Udara, and the batters scamper back for a couple.
On to the next one - And that wraps up a rather one-sided opener to this three-match T20I series, with Pakistan 1-0 up. Sri Lanka now have to win both of the remaining games to take the series away from the hosts, and they will need some honest answers before the next outing. Their bowling plans were blown apart, and the sloppy work in the field did them no favours either. Pakistan will go into the next game with their chests out, having ticked plenty of boxes with bat, ball and in the field. The one box still waiting for a tick is the middle order, who will need to take on more responsibility the next time the top order does not do the heavy lifting. The second T20I will be played on Sunday, 11th October, and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 1 pm GMT. But as usual, our build-up begins well in advance. Cheers!
The captain of Sri Lanka - Kusal Mendis reflects on the defeat. On whether 182 was a competitive score, Kusal Mendis says Sri Lanka fell 20 to 25 runs short. He feels this was a surface where 200 was needed to put any real pressure on the opposition. He points to the early dismissals of himself and Kamil as the turning point, adding that the side has to bat with more positive intent in the Powerplay, because losing wickets up front left them scrambling. He praises Lahiru Udara, saying he enjoyed watching his knock, and hopes the southpaw keeps the form going in the next game. With the ball, he admits the Powerplay was poor and stresses that Sri Lanka must be tighter in the first six overs. He also gives credit to Pakistan, who he says batted really well.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - The Pakistani captain, Sahibzada Farhan, deservedly takes home the award for his match-winning knock of 89 (53), including ten fours and four sixes. Sahibzada Farhan opens by expressing satisfaction with the team's victory, reiterating his belief that winning requires all-round contributions with both bat and ball. Reflecting on their performance, he notes that while they started strong with the ball in the first innings, they leaked a lot of runs during the middle overs, a shift he accepts as part of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. Turning to individual contributions, the skipper praises Maaz for his critical partnership with him, rating his current form among the very best in the game. He concludes by highlighting Mohammad Imran's crucial bowling display, noting that Imran executed the team's tactical plans perfectly to dent the opposition's batting lineup.
... The post-match Presentation ...
Udara, the lone warrior - Sri Lanka’s innings was a lesson in what one man’s conviction can do when the top order falters. Lahiru Udara walked in with his side in early trouble and left having made 91 off 55 balls, dragging the visitors from a shaky start to a total worth defending. He found willing partners in Kamindu Mendis, with whom he added 60, and Dasun Shanaka, who helped him put on 57, and those two stands gave the innings its spine. The finish lacked the same bite, though. Udara fell on 91, exactly half of Sri Lanka’s 182, and the innings lost its spark with him, leaving a few runs out there. Debutant Mohammad Imran was the pick of Pakistan's attack with 2/21, but the rest of the bowlers went for a lot, and the 29 extras they handed over only added to the visitors' a bit of good fortune.
The top order lits up Pindi - Farhan and Fakhar, the naturally aggressive opening pair, lit the fuse for Pakistan and took the attack to the Sri Lankan seamers from the outset. Fakhar eventually departed, but the scoreboard barely noticed, and the hosts galloped to 100 inside the tenth over. Skipper Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat then put together a whirlwind 92-run stand that all but nipped the contest in the bud. In fairness to the batters, Sri Lanka's bowling was wayward, but Farhan and Sadaqat deserved credit for knocking them off their lines and lengths. The dew played its part as well, making the ball tricky to grip. Sri Lanka did make late inroads through Theekshana but it was all in a losing cause as the game was gone too far from their reach by then.
Too hot to handle - Pakistan's batters turn in a superb effort, and the hosts move 1-0 ahead in the series in a commanding fashion. Sri Lanka's bowlers had little to offer in the way of threat and were taken apart. Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz will be a touch disappointed, though, that they were not able to hang in there for long and get some runs behind their names. Overall, though, the hosts will be thrilled with how this went, especially the aggressive intent they showed throughout the chase. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have plenty to reflect on their lackadaisical bowling and fielding efforts and will have to come back strongly to find an equaliser.
SIX! Nafay finishes off in style and Pakistan win by 4 wickets. On a back of a length, around the off stump line. Khawaja Nafay stands tall and swings it powerfully over long on for a six. Doesn't even bother to see whether the ball has sailed all over the ropes as he holds his pose with confidence. Pakistan go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series.
Back of a length, zipping and jagging back in with bounce. Imran is taken by surprise by the extra bounce and is cramped up for room. Tries to work it across but takes a stinging blow on the right forearm. The ball deflects to the off side, in thereabouts of cover-point for a leg bye.
A dipping full toss, on the stumps. Imran jams the bat down in time and shovels it to the bowler.
Mohammad Imran is the new batter in at number 8.
OUT! TAKEN! Another wicket has fallen, despite only 3 runs required. Shadab tries to hit the winning runs but falls. Hits the deck hard does Malinga and bangs in a shorter one, around middle and leg, offering very little room to extend the arms. Shadab takes on the short ball with a hook shot, but can only sky a top edge deep down the leg side. Thushara moves across from long leg, positions himself comfortably beneath the high ball, and scoops it safely into his cusp.
Good running between the sticks! Much fuller, on off. Khawaja Nafay knocks it toward the right of the mid off fielder and sprints to the other end to take the single.
Should be the last over of the match. A matter of one hit for Pakistan to take the lead in the series. Eshan Malinga (3-0-26-1) returns.
Bangs hard onto the length, over middle. Shadab Khan misses out to connect his pull and gets beaten on the top edge.
Gutted is the word for Farhan. He had the finish in sight. With just 4 needed off 13 balls, Shadab Khan is in at number 7.
OUT! CAUGHT! A splendid effort in the deep by Sahan Arachchige. Thushara sends down a full toss on leg stump, and Farhan, who has moved back and across, whips it into the air through the on side. There is not enough elevation on the shot as the ball sails flatly. Arachchige is the man at deep mid-wicket. He charges in, launches himself forward and snatches the ball with both hands inches off the turf. It is a magnificent grab, but it comes far too late to rescue Sri Lanka.
SIX! The biggie from the skipper and Pakistan should be able to get the rest of the chase with ease. Short of a length, outside off. Sahibzada Farhan backs away and slaps it over deep cover for a biggie.
FOUR! A loose delivery gets its treatment. Aiming for a yorker, but spilling out a low full toss, on middle. Sahibzada Farhan hangs back and heaves it toward deep square leg for four runs.
Yorker, outside off, Sahibzada Farhan jams it away, but straight to the cover fielder.
FOUR! THWACK! Nuwan opens the over with a bouncer outside off, and Farhan, clearly in no mood to hang around, is ready for it. He rocks back, slaps it in the air and sends it sailing over the cover fielder for four.
Pakistan need 18 runs from 18 balls. Nuwan Thushara returns into the attack. 2-0-18-0 are his bowling figures so far.
Flighted well outside off, on a good length. Farhan skips down the track with a big heave across the line in mind. But only manages to get it off the inner half of the bat. The ball dribbles out to deep mid-wicket, where they pick up a single.
Short and sliding into the batter, stabbed back to the bowler off the back foot.
Quicker and flatter, outside off. Farhan knocks the length ball to the cover fielder.
Drags it short and outside off, Farhan backs away and slaps it to widish deep cover-point for a couple of more runs.
Onto the pads, drifting down leg, Nafay whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.
Slower through the air, on a length, outside off. Nafay hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a couple of runs.
Righto, last 4 overs left. Pakistan need 24 runs to win. The skipper is still at the crease and ticking along nicely, so the hosts are firmly in the driver's seat. But if the tourists manage to get rid of Farhan, things will spice up once again. Dunith Wellalage is back on.
Spins in from middle to leg, on a length. Nafay knocks it down to long on for a single.