Farhan 80* and Nawaz three-for keep Pakistan unbeaten
Pakistan romped to a modest target of 129 on a pitch that was tough to bat on
Pakistan romped to a modest target of 129 on a pitch that was tough to bat on
Scorer: Harshith Gowda | Commentator: Madushka Balasuriya
So a very happy Salman Ali Agha there, and understandably so. Pakistan are looking as good as they have in a very long time, and they likely can't wait to get out there and play again. They won't have to wait long though, with Pakistan taking on Zimbabwe tomorrow. Be sure to join us for that, but until then, on behalf of Danyal and the rest of the team, this is Madushka signing out.
Salman Ali Agha: "It was a complete game, we were very good with both bat and ball. We started really well in all three departments and that's what we look for. We had the luxury of Nawaz and Faheem as allrounders, who can bat and take wickets as well. We always look for bench strength and now we have bowlers sitting on the bench, like Wasim Jr. who can put up these kinds of performances. That's what we always wanted, having a perfect bench. Salman was a bench kind of a bowler a few series back and now he's becoming a front line bowler as well, it is something I wanted to have but now it's tough making a playing XI. [Farhan?] We always wanted to start well, and he's someone who if he bats for three, four overs, he can bat like that. He can take the game away from any opposition. We're very close to having a perfect playing XI, and giving chances to fringe players, who are coming in and chipping in."
Dasun Shanaka: "We aren't a team that should perform like this, we're better than this. We feel very bad today, but looking forward to the other two games. The intent was not there, we're losing wickets in clusters. Since we arrived here we have struggled to find rhythm batting in these pitches. We need to work on that a bit, but I'm sure we're a better team than this."
Player of the Match goes to Mohammed Nawaz for his match turning figures of 3 for 16. Speaking to the broadcaster he spoke about the natural variation, and using more revs to utilise it. He also emphasised on keeping the right lengths.
Time for the post match presentation...
Jawad: "Only if Sri Lanka scored 20-30 more runs, we could have seen a century tonight"
It's a game that will give Pakistan immense confidence after their narrow win over Zimbabwe, and puts them one foot in the final owing to a health net run rate. As for Sri Lanka, it's been muddled thinking with bat and ball - something highlighted by the constant chopping and changing of lineups. They need to find solutions, and fast.
8.58pm Sahibzada Farhan then ends on 80 off 45, his highest ever total in T20Is as Pakistan brush aside a completely out of sorts Sri Lanka to complete a comprehensive win. Saim Ayub struck 20 during a 47-run opening stand, but after that no other Pakistan batter apart from Farhan came to the fore - but they didn't need to, such was Farhan's complete control on proceedings. The target itself was straightforward after Pakistan had restricted Sri Lanka to 128 for 7, following a solid allround display in the field and with the ball.
7 to win, potentially the final over of this game.
Pakistan romped to a modest target of 129 on a pitch that was tough to bat on