Rajapaksa blitz helps Sri Lanka seal series in Lahore

Tuesday, 8 October 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Bhanuka Rajapaksa plays a sweep shot for six

ICC: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who made his debut in the first T20I against Pakistan, smashed 77 off just 48 to help Sri Lanka to a series win in Lahore last night.

His knock was studded with six sixes and four fours, and helped carry the tourists to a strong total of 182 for 6. Shehan Jayasuriya struck 34 to accompany him in a third-wicket stand worth 94, while Danushka Gunathilaka and Dasun Shanaka’s brisk cameos ensure the Sri Lankans started and finished strongly.

There was little joy to be had for the Pakistani bowlers, though Imad Wasim impressed in claiming 1 for 27 from his four overs. Often, Sri Lanka were as likely to get themselves out, losing three batsmen to run outs, including two excellent pieces of work from Shadab Khan, one a direct hit, and the other a gather and flick onto the stumps.

Pakistan struggled to get away at the start of the steep chase. One ball into the fourth over they had lost more wickets than they had scored boundaries, listing at 11 for 2, and though Sarfaraz Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad briefly threatened a recovery with a punchy four-over 40-run stand, Wanindu Hasaranga derailed the chase entirely with three wickets in an over.

Shehzad came down the track, missed and was bowled, Umar Akmal suffered a second golden duck in two innings on T20I return, pinned LBW first ball, while Sarfaraz’s attempted cut was ill-advised against a bowler intent on targeting the stumps.

From 52 for 5, Imad Wasim again gave Pakistan hopes of a comeback, notching eight fours in his 29-ball knock which ended on 47 when Isuru Udana had him leg-before. The end came in a hurry thereafter, the hosts losing 20/5 to finish all out for 147. Nuwan Pradeep finished with stellar figures of 4 for 25. With one game to play, Sri Lanka’s 2-0 lead is unassailable, a remarkable turn-up considering the disparity between the sides’ T20I Team Rankings. Pakistan’s experimental side hasn’t had the desired effect, while Sri Lanka’s second string have exceeded expectations, and will be hopeful of securing a clean sweep in the third T20I tomorrow.